this is bbc news. the headlines... the united nations says the targeting of thousands of people in lebanon of people in lebanon with exploding pagers with exploding pagers and walkie—talkies could amount to a war crime — and warns the middle east and warns the middle east is at risk of a conflict that could "dwarf" the devastation is at risk of a conflict that witnessed in the region so far. people in sri lanka are voting people in sri lanka are voting in the first election since the country's economic in the first election meltdown two years ago. us and british operations. fresh claims about former fresh claims about former harrods owner mohamed al fayed harrods owner mohamed al fayed — a former fulham football — a former fulham football manager tells the bbc extra precautions were put in place to protect female players from the club's late owner. manager tells the bbc extra its first conference in government for 15 years. here in the uk — the labour party is opening its first conference its first conference in government for 15 years. members can expect celebrations in government for 15 years. — and sobering messages. hundreds of paratroopers are re—enacting one of the second world war�*s major of the second world war�*s major

us and british operations. you are watching bbc let's return to our top story. a senior un official has told a security council meeting

populated residential district of dahieh. calling this a "precision strike", the target was the veteran hezbollah military leader ibrahim aqil. israel said he had been "eliminated", along with about ten commanders of an elite unit. at the time of the strike, aqil and the commanders of the radwan forces were gathered underground under a residential building in the heart of the dahieh in beirut, hiding among lebanese civilians, using them as human shields. they were in the middle of planning more terror attacks against israeli civilians. aqil had plenty of enemies. the us had put a $7 million bounty on his head,

accusing him of involvement in the killing of americans in beirut in the 1980s. siren wails day after day now, hezbollah is being hit and being weakened by warfare from a distance. we were repeatedly prevented from reaching the scene by locals and the lebanese army. siren wails well, emergency vehicles have been coming and going. we've counted at least ten ambulances coming up and down the road, going to pick up casualties. the dead are still being counted. there's a lot of anger here, a lot of tension. this was another major strike on hezbollah, here in its stronghold in south beirut. rescue workers still digging in the rubble for people who lived here. she giggles

among the missing — four—year—old naya ghazi, a threat to no—one. orla guerin, bbc news, beirut. of course, we have a life page monitoring the situation in the region, and we are what updating our colleagues and the team injerusalem as well, monitoring the situation. any developments, we will bring them to you is that changes. now, we are going to go to colombo, sri lanka, where polls havejust colombo, sri lanka, where polls have just closed. people there are voting in the first election since the country's economic meltdown a few years ago. holes ofjust closed across sri lanka, were voters are choosing a new president in that first election since those mass protests we saw which were

started by the country's worst economic crisis when the government leader was unseated backin government leader was unseated back in 2022. it was widely regarded as a referendum on economic reforms, which were meant for the country on a road to recovery, but many people still tax hikes, cuts to subsidies, and candidates vying for that top position. 38 candidates for the presidential position, no women in that. no women are putting themselves forward or are in a position to put themselves forward. monitoring that polls have just closed, results expected tomorrow, so our colleagues there will be bringing us up dates throughout the region. the labour party will today hold its first annual conference since its landslide general election win.

despite delegates celebrating the party's electoral success, ministers will be urging party members at the liverpool conference 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. our 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. 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. they want the conference to discuss a motion calling for: 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. iain watson, bbc news. our political correspondent, helen catt is in liverpool and weighs up whether labour

can draw a line under the row about gifts. well, i think we'll find out in the next 2a hours or so whether it has managed to move on by saying, as you heard at the start there, that keir starmer, angela rayner and rachel reeves, who are going to be the three really big faces that we see speaking at the conference over the next few days, won't be receiving or taking any more gifts of clothing. that might leave questions open to other things. and also, it's not the only story that has been making things a bit rocky for the government in the last week or so. there have also been these reports, claims and leaks about problems behind the scenes at number ten and some of the tensions there. so that that is another thing that's forming a backdrop to this conference. but having a party conference does give you a shop window for a few days, if you like, and labour will be wanting to take advantage of that, to try and take back the conversation, to put it back onto what they are doing in government, what they plan to do

in government, putting it back more onto policy. so everywhere you look around this hall, whether it's on the sort of hoardings here, if it's on pillars, on giant banners hanging from the ceiling, is this slogan, change begins. and that is the message that labour is going to be trying to use this conference to push. of course, how successful that 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 iain�*s piece, that there are some efforts to try and get some of the policy issues that are 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 within the party. so we'll have to see what happens over the next few days. but it will be... and also, of course, there will be an element of celebration to to an extent, because of course, this is a party meeting that is in government for the first time in a decade and a half,

with a very large majority. yeah, very different set of circumstances to the last conference. but also we're hearing of warnings of more tough choices. so that difficult messaging still continuing from the labour party in government now, as you say. it is. and if you talk to labour mps, as i have been over the last few weeks, there is a real sense from them that that they do think more bad news is coming down the line. so, as i was saying, there will be an element of celebration, i think, in this conference, but that is going to be muted to a degree because within that context of this also being a government that says it's going to have to make more difficult decisions because of things like an awareness of their voter base and what gave them that majority, as you just them that majority, as you just heard in iain�*s report there, heard in iain�*s report there, so i think that is partly it. so i think that is partly it. and i think also and i think also there will be a this conference for the sake of it. there will be a this conference might be used as an opportunity might be used as an opportunity to explain some of these to explain some of these decisions that, you know, decisions that, you know, that this message that that this message that

the government is saying the government is saying is they're notjust choosing is they're notjust choosing to make difficult decisions to make difficult decisions for the sake of it. they are probably going to keep pushing that message about the inheritance. about the inheritance they say they've been left by the conservatives as being a cause for some of these, but also trying to inject perhaps a little bit of optimism into this, because there has been criticism in recent weeks, too, that the messaging has been too bleak, too doom and gloomy. so we'll see if labour try to just inject that little bit of, of optimism that is suggested by that conference slogan of change beginning. this weekend marks the 80th anniversary of one of the major

a poignant day was mick poignant indeed, and hugely symbolic. 700 paratroopers from eight nato nations are taking part in this drop. it looks so peaceful now, but 80 years ago, this was the scene of some of the most ferocious fighting during the second world war. i have some experts with me who can explain just what this was like. you actually took part in a similarjump re—enactment 20 years ago? i a similarjump re-enactment 20 years ago?— years ago? i “umped from the dakota with _ years ago? ijumped from the dakota with a _ years ago? ijumped from the dakota with a round _ years ago? ijumped from the l dakota with a round parachute, paratroopers were landing on, and when the round parachute, from _ dakota with a round parachute, from about 900 feet, and landed dakota with a round parachute, from _ dakota with a round parachute, from about 900 feet, and landed very heavily on my backside, so very heavily on my backside, so it is etched _ very heavily on my backside, so it is etched _ very heavily on my backside, so it is etched in my memory. this it is etched in my memory. this place _ it is etched in my memory. this place _ it is etched in my memory. this place was — it is etched in my memory. this place was so different, because place was — it is etched in my memory. this place was so different, because this place, on the afternoon of and when they this place, on the afternoon of the 18th — the 18th — this place, on the afternoon of the 18th of september 1944, it this place, on the afternoon of the 18th of september 1944, it is what — is what — the 18th of september 1944, it is what is _ the 18th of september 1944, it is what is called dz why, drop the 18th of september 1944, it is what is _ the 18th of september 1944, it is what is called dz why, drop zone — is what is called dz why, drop zone y. — is what is called dz why, drop zone — is what is called dz why, drop zone y. — is what is called dz why, drop zone y, one of the many drop zone y, one of the many drop zones — zone y, one of the many drop zones that— zones — zone y, one of the many drop zones that—

zone y, one of the many drop zones that the british paratroopers were landing on, zone y, one of the many drop zones that the british paratroopers were landing on, and when _ paratroopers were landing on, and when _ paratroopers were landing on, and when they landed that afternoon, it was contested. the — afternoon, it was contested. the germans were fighting out of the — the germans were fighting out of the tree line just behind us will stop— of the tree line just behind us will stop the heath was on fire — will stop the heath was on fire. there is machine gun fire going — fire. there is machine gun fire going on— fire. there is machine gun fire going on across the drop zone, and as— going on across the drop zone, and as the _ going on across the drop zone, and as the aircraft came in and this fieet — and as the aircraft came in and this fleet of dakotas cayman, 2000 — this fleet of dakotas cayman, 2000 paratroopers from the fourth — 2000 paratroopers from the fourth parachute brigade, there is a bayonet charge going on by the men — is a bayonet charge going on by the men who were chasing the germans — the men who were chasing the germans of the drop zone back into the — germans of the drop zone back into the wood line so these guys — into the wood line so these guys who land here safely. it was — guys who land here safely. it was a — guys who land here safely. it was a scene of really high drama. _ was a scene of really high drama, and a scene that, because _ drama, and a scene that, because the back door essentially started well —— the battle — essentially started well —— the battle essentially started weii, _ battle essentially started well, and then it

battle essentially started well, and then i normandy, from operations from normandy, from the netherlands, and then they forces were dropped behind enemy lines, and the idea is that they with secure strategic bridges. james holland, you are a historian. what we are hearing and seeing now behind us are about 100,000 people have gathered to commemorate what is often referred to as an historic failure, yet there is more to it than that?- more to it than that? yes, because — more to it than that? yes, because the _ more to it than that? yes, because the idea - more to it than that? yes, because the idea behind i more to it than that? yes, because the idea behind itj more to it than that? yes, - because the idea behind it was, as you — because the idea behind it was, as you say, _ because the idea behind it was, as you say. to— because the idea behind it was, as you say. to get— because the idea behind it was, as you say, to get in— because the idea behind it was, as you say, to get in through i as you say, to get in through the back— as you say, to get in through the back door, _ as you say, to get in through the back door, and _ as you say, to get in through the back door, and had - as you say, to get in through the back door, and had thatl the back door, and had that work. — the back door, and had that work. i_ the back door, and had that work, i could _ the back door, and had that work, i could have - the back door, and had that work, i could have four- work, i could have four shortened _ work, i could have four shortened the - work, i could have four shortened the war- work, i could have four shortened the war by l work, i could have four shortened the war by a work, i could have four. shortened the war by a of months. _ shortened the war by a of months, and _ shortened the war by a of months, and so - shortened the war by a of months, and so the - shortened the war by a of - months, and so the principals were — months, and so the principals were entirely— months, and so the principals were entirely laudable. - months, and so the principals were entirely laudable. high i were entirely laudable. high risk operation _ were entirely laudable. high risk operation for— were entirely laudable. high risk operation for certain, i were entirely laudable. highl risk operation for certain, but one _ risk operation for certain, but one could _ risk operation for certain, but one could have _ risk operation for certain, but one could have worked, - risk operation for certain, but one could have worked, i- risk operation for certain, but . one could have worked, i think. a lot _ one could have worked, i think. a lot of— one could have worked, i think. a lot of historians _ one could have worked, i think. a lot of historians disagree - a lot of historians disagree with— a lot of historians disagree with that _ a lot of historians disagree with that take _ a lot of historians disagree with that take up _ a lot of historians disagree with that take up in - a lot of historians disagree with that take up in my. a lot of historians disagree . with that take up in my view, having — with that take up in my view, having walked _ with that take up in my view, having walked this _ with that take up in my view, having walked this ground i with that take up in my view, i having walked this ground and studying — having walked this ground and studying it _ having walked this ground and studying it in _ having walked this ground and studying it in some _ having walked this ground and studying it in some detail, - having walked this ground and studying it in some detail, i. studying it in some detail, i think— studying it in some detail, i think you _ studying it in some detail, i think you could _ studying it in some detail, i think you could have - studying it in some detail, i. think you could have worked. what —

think you could have worked. what these _ think you could have worked. what these people _ think you could have worked. what these people here - think you could have worked. what these people here and i think you could have worked. i what these people here and the people — what these people here and the people commemorating - what these people here and the . people commemorating elsewhere are commemorating _ people commemorating elsewhere are commemorating is— people commemorating elsewhere are commemorating is that - are commemorating is that effort, _ are commemorating is that effort, an— are commemorating is that effort, an attempt - are commemorating is that effort, an attempt to - are commemorating is that . effort, an attempt to liberate them — effort, an attempt to liberate them early _ effort, an attempt to liberate them early as— effort, an attempt to liberate them early. as it _ effort, an attempt to liberate them early. as it turned - effort, an attempt to liberate them early. as it turned out, | them early. as it turned out, it didn't _ them early. as it turned out, it didn't work _ them early. as it turned out, it didn't work out. _ them early. as it turned out, it didn't work out. arnhem i it didn't work out. arnhem itself— it didn't work out. arnhem itself is _ it didn't work out. arnhem itself is left _ it didn't work out. arnhem itself is left pretty- it didn't work out. arnhem l itself is left pretty shattered and the _ itself is left pretty shattered and the dutch _ itself is left pretty shattered and the dutch living - itself is left pretty shattered and the dutch living here - itself is left pretty shattered i and the dutch living here had itself is left pretty shattered . and the dutch living here had a terrible — and the dutch living here had a terrible winter _ and the dutch living here had a terrible winter in _ and the dutch living here had a terrible winter in 1944 - and the dutch living here had a terrible winter in 1944 and - terrible winter in 1944 and 1945— terrible winter in 1944 and 1945 until— terrible winter in 1944 and 1945 until they— terrible winter in 1944 and 1945 until they were - terrible winter in 1944 and| 1945 until they were finally liberated _ 1945 until they were finally liberated by— 1945 until they were finally liberated by the _ 1945 until they were finallyl liberated by the canadians, 1945 until they were finally- liberated by the canadians, but the principles— liberated by the canadians, but the principles behind _ liberated by the canadians, but the principles behind it - liberated by the canadians, but the principles behind it were i the principles behind it were entirely— the principles behind it were entirely laudable. _ the principles behind it were entirely laudable. there - the principles behind it were entirely laudable. there was the principles behind it were i entirely laudable. there was an airborne — entirely laudable. there was an airborne army _ entirely laudable. there was an airborne army waiting - entirely laudable. there was an airborne army waiting in - entirely laudable. there was an airborne army waiting in the i entirely laudable. there was an| airborne army waiting in the uk to be _ airborne army waiting in the uk to be deployed _ airborne army waiting in the uk to be deployed. if— airborne army waiting in the uk to be deployed. if you _ airborne army waiting in the uk to be deployed. if you have - to be deployed. if you have these — to be deployed. if you have these highly— to be deployed. if you have these highly motivated - to be deployed. if you have - these highly motivated troops, highly— these highly motivated troops, highly trained _ these highly motivated troops, highly trained troops, - these highly motivated troops, highly trained troops, some i highly trained troops, some of the best— highly trained troops, some of the best troops _ highly trained troops, some of the best troops in _ highly trained troops, some of the best troops in the - highly trained troops, some of the best troops in the allied . the best troops in the allied arsenai, _ the best troops in the allied arsenai, why— the best troops in the allied arsenal, why wouldn't - the best troops in the allied arsenal, why wouldn't you i the best troops in the allied - arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try— arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to— arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to use _ arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to use them? _ arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to use them? i _ arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to use them? i think- arsenal, why wouldn't you want to try to use them? i think the. to try to use them? i think the aims _ to try to use them? i think the aims behind _ to try to use them? i think the aims behind it— to try to use them? i think the aims behind it were _ to try to use them? i think the aims behind it were entirely. aims behind it were entirely iaudabte~ _ aims behind it were entirely laudable. ~ ., aims behind it were entirely laudable-— aims behind it were entirely laudable. . , ,, , , aims behind it were entirely laudable. . , ,, , laudable. what strikes me is so extraordinary _ laudable. what strikes me is so extraordinary and _ laudable. what strikes me is so extraordinary and unique - laudable. what strikes me is so extraordinary and unique is - extraordinary and unique is that so often military commemorations are about celebrating victory, yet here, it is about the effort, it is about the endeavour, the

audacity. about the endeavour, the audacity-— about the endeavour, the audaci . , . ., audacity. yes. the celebration is the wrong — audacity. yes. the celebration is the wrong word. _ audacity. yes. the celebration is the wrong word. the - audacity. yes. the celebration j is the wrong word. the feeling here is that — is the wrong word. the feeling here is that you _ is the wrong word. the feeling here is that you tried, - is the wrong word. the feeling here is that you tried, you - is the wrong word. the feeling here is that you tried, you are | here is that you tried, you are daring. — here is that you tried, you are daring, your opacity is something that should be valued forever — something that should be valued forever. you can hear the speeches— forever. you can hear the speeches going on behind us. a lot of— speeches going on behind us. a lot of speeches about freedom and democracy, and things we can be — and democracy, and things we can be a — and democracy, and things we can be a little embarrassed to approach _ can be a little embarrassed to approach when we talk about them, — approach when we talk about them, but here it is an open form — them, but here it is an open form of— them, but here it is an open form of commemoration, and you see the _ form of commemoration, and you see the flags flying at in the viiiages— see the flags flying at in the villages around here and into arnhem _ villages around here and into arnhem itself, the maroon and blue _ arnhem itself, the maroon and blue standards of airborne forces _ blue standards of airborne forces. it is incredibly touching, because they are commemorating our grandfathers, so to— commemorating our grandfathers, so to speak, rather than their own — so to speak, rather than their own it — so to speak, rather than their own it is _ so to speak, rather than their own. it is beautiful, isn't it, jim? — own. it is beautiful, isn't it, jim? |t— own. it is beautiful, isn't it, jim? , ~ ., , own. it is beautiful, isn't it, jim? , ,, ., , , jim? it is unlike anywhere else in the entire _ jim? it is unlike anywhere else in the entire world. _ jim? it is unlike anywhere else in the entire world. there - in the entire world. there commemorations- in the entire world. there commemorations are - in the entire world. there - commemorations are entirely... there _ commemorations are entirely... there is— commemorations are entirely...

there is nothing _ commemorations are entirely... there is nothing mawkish- commemorations are entirely... there is nothing mawkish it. - commemorations are entirely... there is nothing mawkish it. it. there is nothing mawkish it. it is incredibly— there is nothing mawkish it. it is incredibly respectful. - there is nothing mawkish it. it is incredibly respectful. therei is incredibly respectful. there is incredibly respectful. there is an— is incredibly respectful. there is an incredible _ is incredibly respectful. there is an incredible layer- is incredibly respectful. there is an incredible layer of - is an incredible layer of gratitude _ is an incredible layer of gratitude for— is an incredible layer of gratitude for what- is an incredible layer of gratitude for what wasl gratitude for what was attempted _ gratitude for what was attempted here, - gratitude for what was attempted here, and i gratitude for what was i attempted here, and you gratitude for what was - attempted here, and you only have — attempted here, and you only have to — attempted here, and you only have to go _ attempted here, and you only have to go to— attempted here, and you only have to go to the _ attempted here, and you only have to go to the cemetery. attempted here, and you only. have to go to the cemeteryjust outside — have to go to the cemeteryjust outside to— have to go to the cemeteryjust outside to see _ have to go to the cemeteryjust outside to see the _ have to go to the cemeteryjust outside to see the numbers - have to go to the cemeteryjust outside to see the numbers of. outside to see the numbers of gravestones _ outside to see the numbers of gravestones they— outside to see the numbers of gravestones they are - outside to see the numbers of gravestones they are to - outside to see the numbers ofi gravestones they are to realise what _ gravestones they are to realise what huge _ gravestones they are to realise what huge sacrifices _ gravestones they are to realise what huge sacrifices were - gravestones they are to realise i what huge sacrifices were made in the _ what huge sacrifices were made in the _ what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt _ what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt to _ what huge sacrifices were made what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt _ what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt to _ what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt to break- what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt to break this - in the attempt to break- what huge sacrifices were made in the attempt to break this - in the attempt to break this place — in the attempt to break this place in _ in the attempt to break this place in september- in the attempt to break this place — in the attempt to break this place in _ in the attempt to break this place in september- in the attempt to break this place in september 1944. l in the attempt to break this place in september1944. ii place in september1944. i remind _ place in september1944. i in the attempt to break this place in september 1944. l in the attempt to break this place in september1944. ii place in september1944. i remind _ place in september1944. i remind you _ place in september1944. i remind you _ place in september1944. i remind you again, - place in september1944. i remind you again, if- place in september1944. i remind you again, if it- place in september1944. i remind you again, if it had| remind you again, if it had worked, _ remind you again, if it had remind you again, - place in september1944. i remind you again, if- place in september1944. i remind you again, if it- place in september1944. i remind you again, if it had| remind you again, if it had worked, _ remind you again, if it had worked, that— remind you again, if it had worked, that really- remind you again, if it had worked, that really could. remind you again, if it had - worked, that really could have shortened _ worked, that really could have worked, that— remind you again, if it had worked, that really- remind you again, if it had worked, that really could. remind you again, if it had - worked, that really could have shortened _ worked, that really could have shortened the _ worked, that really could have shortened the _ worked, that really could have shortened the war. _ shortened the war. _ worked, that really could have shortened the war. 0ne - worked, that really could havel shortened the war. one should only— shortened the war. one should worked, that really could have shortened the war. 0ne - worked, that really could havel shortened the war. one should only— shortened the war. one should only be — shortened the war. one should only be respectful— shortened the war. one should only be — shortened the war. one should only be respectful— shortened the war. one should only be respectful of— shortened the war. one should only be respectful of what - shortened the war. one should only be respectful of what was| only be respectful of what was only be respectful of— shortened the war. one should only be respectful of what - shortened the war. one should only be respectful of what was| only be respectful of what was attempted _ only be respectful of what was attempted here, _ only be respectful of what was attempted here, rather- only be respectful of what was attempted here, rather than. attempted here, rather than attempted _ only be respectful of what was attempted here, _ only be respectful of what was attempted here, rather- only be respectful of what was attempted here, rather than. attempted here, rather than overty — attempted here, ratherthan overty — attempted here, ratherthan overly critical, _ attempted here, ratherthan overly critical, rather- overly critical, _ attempted here, ratherthan overly critical, rather- attempted here, ratherthan overly critical, rather than . overly critical, rather than dismissive _ overly critical, rather than attempted here, ratherthan overly critical, rather than . overly critical, rather than dismissive _ overly critical, rather than dismissive of— overly critical, rather than dismissive of the - overly critical, rather than | dismissive of— overly critical, rather than dismissive of the - overly critical, rather than | dismissive of the attempt. dismissive of the attempt. james _ dismissive of the attempt. james holland, _ dismissive of the attempt. james holland, al- james _ dismissive of the attempt. james holland, _ dismissive of the attempt. james holland, al- dismissive of the attempt. james holland, al murray, dismissive of the attempt. - james holland, al murray, thank you so much. 0ne dismissive of the attempt. james holland, al murray, dismissive of the attempt. - james holland, al murray, thank you so much. 0ne james holland, al murray, thank james holland, al murray, thank you so much. one of the other things that are so remarkable you so much. one of the other things that are so remarkable about the commemorations this about the commemorations this year, the 80th anniversary, is year, the 80th anniversary, is that there are veterans in that there are veterans in attendance witnessing this attendance witnessing this re—enactment. they are the re—enactment. they are the guests of honour, they have guests of honour, they have generated the greatest applause, and as you hear, the re—enactment. they are the guests of honour, th! hear, a re—enactment. they are the speakers are making the point guests of honour, th! hear, the applause, and as you hear, the speakers are making the point

that their sacrifices resulted in our freedom. that their sacrifices resulted in our freedom. that their sacrifices resulted in ourfreedom. this that their sacrifices resulted in our freedom.— in our freedom. as always, thank you _ in our freedom. as always, thank you so _ in our freedom. as always, thank you so much. - in our freedom. as always, thank you so much. a - in our freedom. as always, thank you so much. a very | thank you so much. a very poignant day there, thank you to you and your guests on those commemorations of operation market garden, backed military operation during the second world war.

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 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 couples for this year's strictly come dancing will tonight take part in the first live show of the new season. the programme has had a turbulent few months with several former contestants making allegations about bullying in the rehearsal room. so, has that had an impact on this year's strictly stars? 0ur media and arts correspondent david sillito has been backstage to meet them. tess daly and claudia winkleman! - strictly is back on our screens.

and this is where all the magic happens. here we are backstage and, as you can see, nothing but glitter and glamour. but we are getting a chance to meet a cross—section of the hopefuls this year. last week the couples were paired up and claudia... i am not saying thej word yet. your safari starts here. in our backstage interviews, thej—word was in play. we are swept away on the journey. my experience and journey will be unique. _ i'm here for myself and my own personaljourney on strictly. focusing on my ownjourney, the the strictly journey as we call it. but it seems business as usual for the series,

though there has been a turbulent few months for strictly, is it like to think of itself. headlines about aggressive behaviour in the rehearsal rooms, new measures to protect participants. i have to ask, strictly has been in the news, did you have any qualms when you said "yes"? i'm sorry that people have had a negative experience. all i can say is that so far this has been so far, this has been the best experience of my life. we are being looked after beautifully. all the stuff in the newspapers, has it cast a shadow over it for you? i don't think so, no. i have had the best time so far. i can't think it could get better than it has been now. every experience i have had has been top—notch. i think everybody feels the same. and for toyah, who started her pop journey a mere 45 years ago, she has come he was something to prove. i feel young. i don't feel old. and i think people want to feel that way. that is why i am doing it, to say, look, i am a pensioner, if i can do it, you can do it.

and a former love island contested, tasha ghouri, is also keen to make a point about her deafness. the is about representation and all the young tashas who struggle, disability or not. i want to show that you can do it if you believe in yourself. of the two contests, the saturday night shows are more than familiar. jb gill and shayne ward are graduates of x factor. are graduates of x—factor. i am used to an audience and used to a judging panel and the voting at home. i'm looking forward to returning to that. it has been 20 years. i was pretty much born on those be saturday nights with the x factor.

a couple more people stood next to me then but i am in great hands with amy. i'm the new band—mate. and amy dowden truly is part of an emotionaljourney as she returns to the show after treatment for cancer. how are you? i am feeling much better. what a difference a year can make. quite tough, though, to come back, i'm guessing? no, it feels like i'm coming home, to be honest. i didn't really go away, i guess, because i was so lucky last year with the production team, giving me involved, looking after me, my strictly family were with me every step of the way. it doesn't feel that i went away, although it is different because i can come back indent this year, with a fabulous partner, so i will make most of every second because we don't know what is around the corner. so there it is, strictly�*s 20th anniversary season begins. it has definitely been a journey. david sillito, bbc news. strictly back on our screens

tonight. ifeel strictly back on our screens tonight. i feel positively underdressed. and finally, after a week on the run, cinnamon the capybara has been found safe and well in a pond. 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. the great escape. you have to love that! u bring you up—to—date with the weather.

we had some pretty impressive cloud scapes in the storms in cornwall. these terms will continue across southern england into the midlands and across wales. those could be really quite intense. lots of rainfall in a short space of time, frequent lightning, some hail and gusty winds. not everyone will see those heavy downpours. there will be some sunny spells, particularly towards central and eastern areas, and there will also be some sunshine this afternoon across north—west england, ireland, and through much of scotland as well. the central and eastern scotland, i will remain fairly cloudy, with a bit of cloud hanging on round the far north—east of england as well. temperatures around those north sea gusts about 15 or16 those north sea gusts about 15 or 16 celsius. further south and east, i will still feel pleasantly warm, like a late summer's day in london. 24 celsius the expected high here. through tonight, we will continue with thundery downpours, many affecting parts of north wales before another

batch of storm start to move in through the early hours of sunday morning. you might get woken up by the odd rumble of thunder across southern and south—western areas tonight. temperatures stay up, quite a mild if not one night, 16 celsius nine in london, ten to 14 degrees in the north. as i said, we could see some storms willing to travel disruption from intense downpours with flash flooding. similarto today, but further north again, it is looking largely dry, some sunshine across the north and west stop those north sea gusts against being fairly cloudy. into the evening, it is those showers across the south. that will continue as we going to monday, because we have this area of low pressure, very wet conditions likely, in south—west england up towards lincolnshire. rain will stick around for much of the day. further north, it will get a bit chillier. especially for it we can work. we will see arctic air moving its way south, but across many parts of the uk.

temperatures will drop below the average. quite unsettled as you can see, by thursday and friday, 11 or 12 degrees in northern areas. even in the south, 13 or 14 celsius. feeling much more like bottom. —— like autumn.

live from london, this is bbc news. hezbollah confirms senior commanders are among the 31 people killed in an israeli strike on beirut. at least three children are also dead. fresh revelations about former harrods owner mohamed al fayed. a fulham football manager tells the bbc extra precautions were put in place to protect female players. 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 allied military operations of the second world war. welcome to bbc news. we start this hour with the latest on the tensions in the middle east. lebanon's health minister says at least 31 people are now known to have been killed by friday's israeli airstrike in beirut —

a third of them women and children. hezbollah has confirmed that its senior military