waves of rockets are fired into northern israel and targets are struck in southern lebanon. hezbollah confirms two senior commanders are among 37 people killed in friday's strike on beirut. israel's military says it killed 16 �*terrorists�*. votes are being counted in sri lanka's first presidential election since the country's economic meltdown two years ago. russia evacuates 1,200 people after ukraine attacks an ammunition warehouse just east of occupied crimea. here — the labour party conference begins this weekend, its first in government for 15 years. but ministers are expected to deliver sobering messages. dozens more women contact the bbc with fresh allegations about the former harrods boss mohamed al fayed.

hello, i'm azadeh moshiri. as fears grow about an escalation of the middle east conflict, saturday has seen a string of cross—border attacks between israel and the iranian—backed lebanese group, hezbollah. and the iranian—backed lebanese these are live pictures from the region. israel says it has hit thousands of rocket launchers in lebanon. hezbollah says it has fired new waves of rockets into northern israel. reuters video shows rockets coming from southern lebanon being intercepted by the israeli military. the health ministry has said that 37 people were killed in yesterday's israeli attack on beirut. those are new numbers. israel said it was targeting a top hezbollah commander who also died during the attack will stop it says it killed, in their words, 16 terrorists. the

us national security adviser said he was worried about escalation between israel and lebanon. when he was asked about the israli strike targetting hezbollah commanders. he said it's a good outcome when people are brought to justice. a reminder that hezbollah are designated a terorrist organisation by the us and other western nations. live to our correspondent injerusalem, daniel de simone. more cross—border exchanges of fire, of strikes. it is ratcheting up tensions and those fears of escalation. that's right. i think the exchanges today between hezbollah and israel are somewhat typical of the kinds of exchanges we have been saying for months. rocket firing into northern israel and israel carrying out air strikes on hezbollah positions. but this week as a whole has seen significant escalation in the conflict and we have seen things we haven't seen the

before, for example in the pager and walkie—talkie explosions targeting hezbollah members in lebanon. only a couple of times before this week we saw this particular conflict which was israel carrying out an air strike yesterday in beirut, a heavily populated area of beirut which has led to 37 people dying, with the israeli military saying 16 of those people were senior hezbollah members. i think early this week israel set a new war goal which was to return home 60,000 israelis who had been displaced in northern israel by the hezbollah rocket fire. since they set that goal early in the week we have seen this wave of attacks against hezbollah. but hezbollah is still firing rockets. we have seen it today. they have announced they are firing rockets and israel says around 90 rockets or projectiles were fired today. hezbollah�*s leader

says they won't stop doing that until israel ceases its aggression in gaza and the occupied west bank. so that leaves the question what else will israel do. it says it will achieve this goal even though others, the united states, germany and others, have been calling for a de—escalation. israel's leadership, the defence minister, has been saying that these military actions in this new phase of the war will continue until its war goal is met. that leaves what else they will do, given air strikes so for having allowed them to achieve this goal. allowed them to achieve this coal. ., , ., , , allowed them to achieve this coal. ., , , ., goal. could you put this into perspective _ goal. could you put this into perspective for _ goal. could you put this into perspective for us? - goal. could you put this into perspective for us? in - goal. could you put this into perspective for us? in the i goal. could you put this into l perspective for us? in the last 11 months we have been covering regularly this cross—border exchange of attacks between israel and hezbollah. what is different about this moment? what's different is that israel has set this formal goal. it set a target for himself and said it will achieve it. it has

set a bar really by which it will bejudged but set a bar really by which it will be judged but miley is really public. it hasn't said how it is going to do it and given it has been able to achieve this with the air strikes we have been seeing over the past more than 11 months, there are then questions and a public debate about what else might happen. there has been public debate about whether israeli troops might actually go into southern lebanon to create a so—called buffer zone. obviously that prospect is being warred against by various people internationally, including the united states, the un. we have had comments from germany's foreign minister, because they see this as a dangerous escalation. they think it means the conflict will spiral out of control and could lead to devastating consequences. but as things stand israel is saying it is going to carry on these military actions. it has set its target and says it is going to achieve it, even though hezbollah are saying it

will not achieve it. hezbollah are set out what it says, it will have a ceasefire, but it is tying it to gaza and the west bank. it is saying that they will only stop the action it is taking, the firing of rockets and drones, if israel stops in gaza and the occupied west bank. so we kind of have two positions. they can't both be right. but what the united states is calling for is a diplomatic resolution to this that will allow people on both sides of the border who have been displaced, because i think 90,000 odd people have been displaced on the lebanese side, and it would allow this people to go home. in and it would allow this people to go home-— and it would allow this people to go home. in jerusalem there for us. meanwhile, hamas—run gaza health ministry says at 22 people have been killed in an israeli air strike on a school sheltering displaced people.

the israel defense forces say the strike targeted a hamas command room at al—falah school. there has been widespread global condemnation for attacking schools, civilian shelters and hospitals. israel says they were housing hamas fighters. let's go to beit mery, on the outskirts of beirut, to speak to middle east analyst nadim shehadi. he's the former executive director of the lebanese american university new york. thank you for your time. i first want to get your view. we touched on this with our correspondence earlier but in terms of the moment we're right now, what position do hezbollah find themselves in? they are responding now to a series of embarrassing security failings. there have been security failings and they have certainly been embarrassing. but i have been listening to what daniel was saying. i am

not sure how it affects their power. it may increase their power. it may increase their power because they are interested in control of the country and basically the revolutionary guard, militias in the region in palestine and syria, lebanon, iraq, yemen, being part of that if you like. and the key for hezbollah is to maintain its legitimacy as a resistance within lebanon and convince its own constituency because that is probably its weakest point. it cannot be defeated militarily. it can be defeated militarily. it can be defeated if it's constituency stops supporting it. the proposal, the israeli idea of

occupying a buffer zone, is absolutely absurd from that perspective. it will give hezbollah a huge boost and a boost in legitimacy which it lost 2a years ago as a resistance movement against israeli occupation. for the last 2a years it has been a resistance looking for an occupation and israel would provide that occupation if it gives that buffer zone. i want to net a gives that buffer zone. i want to get a bit — gives that buffer zone. i want to get a bit more _ gives that buffer zone. i want to get a bit more context - gives that buffer zone. i want to get a bit more context on | to get a bit more context on this and hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organisation by the us, uk and several other western countries. in terms of the way the lebanese public view this situation, and the fact that civilians have been put in harm's way during these attacks, broadly how would you characterise the grip, the power that hezbollah has in

lebanon?— power that hezbollah has in lebanon? , , ., , lebanon? the best example i can cive is lebanon? the best example i can give is the _ lebanon? the best example i can give is the blitz _ lebanon? the best example i can give is the blitz in _ lebanon? the best example i can give is the blitz in london - lebanon? the best example i can give is the blitz in london in - give is the blitz in london in world war ii. when you are being bombed your anger goes against the 1's bombing you, not against the ones that put you in that position. people did not demonstrate against churchill when they were bombed in world war ii and here, when you are being bombed by the israelis, the general feeling is more anger towards the israelis for two reasons. one of them is because of the violence and second because it is proving hezbollah right. it is proving hezbollah right. it is in a way legitimising hezbollah�*s narrative. those who do not believe in hezbollah�*s narrative, and who believe there should be a peaceful border, that there are already in greenwood is that the constitution states we

abide by the 19119 armistice agreement and since 2006 by security council resolution, which reaffirms the border and this arming hezbollah, people who believe in this are being weakened. who believe in this are being weakened-— weakened. just to “ump in, becausefi weakened. just to “ump in, because “h weakened. just to “ump in, because we are _ weakened. just to jump in, because we are running - weakened. just to jump in, | because we are running out weakened. just to jump in, i because we are running out of time, and i do want to ask in the next question. hezbollah is backed by iran and they are seen as an important proxy for iran. is there not discontent amongst some in lebanon about the fact there is this foreign influence on their own domestic politics? influence on their own domestic olitics? , politics? there is huge discontent _ politics? there is huge discontent but - politics? there is huge l discontent but complete powerlessness to confront it. your question is very relevant because if you bring in iran to the equation then this becomes a regional problem and it

becomes a huge international dimension and it is absurd to think that you can solve such a huge regional and international confrontation almost equivalent to the one in ukraine, with hezbollah being the front line of it. it is absurd to think you can solve it with a deal between netanyahu with between neta nyahu with agreement between netanyahu with agreement between hezbollah and israel. an indirect agreement, israel. an indirect agreement, i would say, because there is no negotiation. this regionally has to be all the countries in the region are threatened by this. no single country is safe from a regional war. this is what makes hassan nasrallah�*s, his speech broadcast yesterday, with translation. i don't think anyone gets that, not even the

pope. that is power. it is power given by the current configuration, which i think is wrong. configuration, which i think is wronu. ., ~' configuration, which i think is wronu. . ., configuration, which i think is wronu. ., ., ., wrong. thank you for that analysis- _ wrong. thank you for that analysis. former - wrong. thank you for that l analysis. former executive director of lebanese university in new york. let's speak to former israeli brigadier general assaf orion, international fellow at the washington institute for near east policy. we do appreciate your time. i want to ask you about the new war gold that israel has formally announced this week to return the displaced israelis back to the border with lebanon. do you believe this ratcheting up of tensions, of provocations, is the right strategy to get them home? good afternoon. these _ strategy to get them home? good afternoon. these are _ strategy to get them home? good afternoon. these are not - afternoon. these are not provocations, and thank you for inviting me. what we are facing is unprovoked initiated war of

attrition by hezbollah on israel, doubling down on the fact that it won't stop until gaza calms down. it insists on not allowing the border communities in israel to return home safely until its demands are satisfied. and what israel is actually doing is an operation that you can name, let my people go home safely. and the technique, as in the bible, is an escalating series of attacks, a bit like the ten plagues against pharaoh, and eventually they are supposed to dissuade hezbollah from continuing. unfortunately until now hezbollah doubles down and since that is the situation israel also has some direct

approach potential and tools and options to employ down the road. �* ., , �* ., ., ., road. but doesn't an all-out warjeopardise _ road. but doesn't an all-out warjeopardise the - road. but doesn't an all-out warjeopardise the region i road. but doesn't an all-outj warjeopardise the region as well as jeopardise warjeopardise the region as well asjeopardise bigger aims of getting hostages home? i know this is something that domestically israelis have protested against and put pressure against the netanyahu war cabinet in that they feel the goals here, the main goal of getting hostages home, is getting lost?— getting lost? hostages are indeed a premier- getting lost? hostages are indeed a premier level - getting lost? hostages are indeed a premier level of i getting lost? hostages are i indeed a premier level of war goals to a large amount of our public and we are still looking forward to their safe return home and anxious about their survival and their health. in this sense israel has to choose, or actually put a choice in front of hezbollah.

you need to decide whether to continue your solidarity with gaza and risking large war, or go back to your senses and stop attacking israel and also distance your forces from the israeli border. we are not going to accept your ongoing threats to our population centres, border communities, national infrastructure and the rest. so it is a call to hassan nasrallah to do a reassessment. if israel wanted regional war now, ora if israel wanted regional war now, or a direct large conflict with hezbollah immediately its operations would have looked at differently. what we are seeing now, actually pressure leverages applied sequentially and in an increasing manner and allowing the other side to climb down.— allowing the other side to climb down. ~ . ., climb down. we are running out of time but _ climb down. we are running out of time but i — climb down. we are running out of time but i do _ climb down. we are running out of time but i do want _ climb down. we are running out of time but i do want to - climb down. we are running out of time but i do want to get - climb down. we are running out of time but i do want to get to l of time but i do want to get to this point because i think you

you're answering this is important. i want to turn to the explosions of pagers and walkie—talkies. israel said it isn't behind the attacks but the high commissionerfor human rights has criticised the method and said it is a violation of international and humanitarian law. do you believe that these methods are justified, given the risk to civilians?— justified, given the risk to civilians? , , ., ., civilians? this is one of the most indiscriminate - civilians? this is one of the | most indiscriminate attacks civilians? this is one of the - most indiscriminate attacks we have seen in history the warheads are 20 grams of size and the targeting of itself is hand—picked by hezbollah itself. whoever has a secure communications system, used by a terror organisation, carries it for a reason. that is like a weapon system. so whoever carries that the take the terra

business home. he carries that the take the terra business home.— carries that the take the terra business home. he went on to elaborate _ business home. he went on to elaborate the _ business home. he went on to elaborate the problem - business home. he went on to elaborate the problem that. business home. he went on to elaborate the problem that it | elaborate the problem that it put thousands of civilians at risk as well,, some of them blinded. it wasn'tjust blinded. it wasn't just operatives blinded. it wasn'tjust operatives so it wasn't quite as targeted. if operatives so it wasn't quite as targeted-— as targeted. if you and i wanted _ as targeted. if you and i wanted to _ as targeted. if you and i wanted to have - as targeted. if you and i wanted to have a - as targeted. if you and i - wanted to have a walkie-talkie wanted to have a walkie—talkie of that kind, or a page of that kind, we wouldn't have been allowed to have it. others who haveit allowed to have it. others who have it are members of recognised terror organisation and part of its terror enterprise. if there are marginal levels of collateral that's part of waging war. if you choose to wage war in israel you need to take into account the consequences. and the consequences sometimes will be unexpected. the consequences sometimes will be unexnected-— the consequences sometimes will be unexaected-— be unexpected. thank you for our be unexpected. thank you for your time- — be unexpected. thank you for your time. thank _ be unexpected. thank you for your time. thank you - be unexpected. thank you for your time. thank you very - be unexpected. thank you for i your time. thank you very much. votes are being counted in sri lanka's presidential election — widely seen as a referendum

on the government's handling of the economy. there were a record 38 candidates running to lead the country, including the incumbent, ranil wickremesinghe. all of them are men. the full results are not expected until at least sunday. sri lankans are looking for a leader who will be able to further repair the country's finances, after an economic collapse two years ago. thousands of protesters faced with skyrocketing inflation and severe food shortages forced the country's president at the time, gotabaya rajapaksha, to flee and later resign. live to our correspondent samira hussain, who is in colombo. the stakes are high in this one and hopes for the economy are high as well. and hopes for the economy are high as well-— high as well. absolutely. i think a lot _ high as well. absolutely. i think a lot of _ high as well. absolutely. i think a lot of the - high as well. absolutely. i think a lot of the voters i high as well. absolutely. i i think a lot of the voters here were really looking, when they cast their ballot, to which candidate would be able to better their personal finances, would be able to better the economic situation that is happening right now in sri lanka. certainly we are far from what was happening two

years ago with that skyrocketing inflation. but today, because of all the billions of dollars of loans that the country had to take out to stave off bankruptcy, you have seen there is quite a lot of impact on regular people. there is high taxes and wages are going up and everyday goods are becoming more costly. it was all about the economy and these selections it's important to note that if you look at the voter turnout we saw that voter turnout was between 75 and 80% which of course is very good but is actually a little bit lower than what we have seen in previous link actions in sri lanka. in 2019 and also in 2015 and part of that can be attributed to a real voter apathy in terms of their faith in political leaders. remember that big economic collapse that

we saw two years ago was largely due, in part, to bad financial mismanagement and corruption on the part of previous governments. and so i think a lot of people, although they don't want to see yet another corrupt government being put in place, i think they have also lost a lot of faith in their political leaders. but it is still going to be at least until sunday. we are not going to see any kind of semblance of any results, given there are 38 candidates in the running for president. samira hussain there and of course there is plenty more on the bbc news website if you want more details on those results in that election. i want to bring you some breaking news from kamala harris's campaign. she says she has accepted a cnn invitation to a debate on october the 7th, sorry october the 23rd. this of course puts pressure on her

rival, the former president donald trump, to agree to a debate as well. currently he has said that he may change his mind but doesn't see any need for any further debate. us vice president kamala harris has said she has accepted a cnn invitation to a debate on the 23rd of october. as soon as we have any reaction, if there is some, we will bring that to you on the bbc news channel. let's turn to ukraine. president zelensky says ukraine still does not have permission from the united states or the uk to use long—range western—supplied missiles, on targets in russia. overnight, there were explosions at a russian ammunition warehouse in the krasnodar region. it's the second such strike inside russia this week, after a suspected drone attack on the town of toropets, on wednesday. jessica parker sent this report from kyiv. a fireball erupting into the night sky. russian authorities say the debris from a downed ukrainian drone sparked these explosions in what is reportedly an ammunition depot.

it comes just days after a similar strike inside russia, over 900 miles further north in the tver region. ukraine has been ramping up these kinds of attacks and there has been a big focus here on building up domestic drone production, but what kyiv really wants is permission to use sophisticated, western—made long—range missiles on targets inside russia — a plea president zelensky will likely take to the us next week where he will meet presidentjoe biden. the ukrainian leader said overnight that the us and britain had not yet given authorisation for such use of long—range missiles, explaining he thinks there are fears in the west that the war could escalate. nevertheless, mr zelensky is preparing to present what is being billed as a new strategy to his nation's backers. translation: we are going i to present a very concrete plan on how ukraine cannot only

endure this war, not only maintain the level of resistance as it is now, but also grow stronger at this very moment, grow stronger in a way that will really bring us together to a just peace, really bring us closer to victory. meanwhile, devastation in a ukrainian city of kryvyi rih where a woman and her 12—year—old grandson were reportedly among those killed in yet another russian strike. while moscow's troops try to push advances in ukraine's east, here talk of victory and peace may feel as far away as ever. jessica parker, bbc news, in kyiv. a pilot from new zealand has said he is "very happy" to be going home after spending 19 months being held hostage by separatists in indonesia. philip mehrtens was kidnapped by west papua national liberation army fighters in february last year after landing in a remote mountain area. he was released after

lengthy negotiations. parts of southern africa are experiencing unusually heavy snowfall, causing road closures and leaving people trapped in their vehicles overnight. a key road in south africa linking johannesburg to durban is one of the worst affected. the emergency services have been delivering blankets and meals to stranded motorists. 700 nato paratroopers have landed near the dutch city of arnhem — part of events marking the 80th anniversary of a failed second world war operation. thousands of troops died during operation market garden — an allied attempt to capture bridges, which would have paved the way for an assault on nazi germany. stay with us here on bbc news. there is plenty more to come.

good afternoon. more scenes like those behind me expected notjust today, but for sunday and monday across england and wales in particular. but in contrast, we've got some decent spells of sunshine further north and west, particularly across highland and grampian, scotland. there is a little bit of fog around the western isles, the northern isles and certainly for the north sea coast, and it's running in through the central belt, so it might well not clear the central lowlands during the rest of the day. lots of sunshine, northern ireland, north western parts of england and central and eastern england. but we have had a cluster of storms and 1 or 2 could brew up elsewhere again in the south of england, possibly1 or 2 in east anglia. but it's these areas where we're likely to see the highest temperatures. again, it was a warm start, of course, and a warm day, 2a, 25, but we could see 21 in the northwest highlands as well in that sunshine. now it's going to turn fresher here in the highlands overnight. a little bit of mist and fog and more generally that low cloud will meander, backing off the north sea.

but look at the rain and the thunderstorms further south. it's likely that they'll start to become more widespread, the low pressure bringing them closing in. so for most of us, another warm night and a fairly damp start to the day in some parts tomorrow. grey from the mist and the drizzle, or indeed from those downpours. and it's primarily england and wales where we'll see those most impactful amounts of rainfall. hazardous travel conditions. lots of spray and excess water as well. you can see this is where the computer model thinks we'll see the wettest weather through saturday, sunday and monday. it's primarily england and wales. the coin does flip later in the week and i'll tell you about that later. but you can see, don't take this quite literally, but you can see more cloud around across england and wales through tomorrow and certainly more widespread outbreaks of rain, some thundery downpours, whilst further north and west again, the low cloud clears back to the east coast, hopeful that it'll clear away from the central belt as well, but probably not quite as warm tomorrow as today, particularly in the south, because we've got more cloud and probably more showery rain around this area of low pressure, which is still meandering across england and wales on monday, some uncertainty as to how far north it's going to go,

and there's that rain coming late in the day into the north as well. and behind that it's likely to turn a little bit cooler as we head through the middle part of the week. we could have a blast of fairly significant winds wednesday on as well, but you can see from really tuesday on there's more chance of rain being caught in the north as well as in the south. a much cooler week, unsettled, on the cards.

this is bbc news, the headlines... israel and hezbollah exchange cross—border attacks. waves of rockets are fired into northern israel, while targets are struck in southern lebanon. hezbollah confirms senior commanders are among at least 37 people killed in an israeli strike on beirut. israel's military says it killed 16 "terrorists". israel attacks a school in gaza, saying it was being used as a hamas command room. hamas says at least 22 people — including children — were killed. here, the labour party conference begins this weekend — its first in government for 15 years. but ministers are expected to deliver sobering messages. dozens more women contact the bbc and legal teams with fresh allegations about the former harrods boss, mohamed al fayed. including the 37 already, i think we're now at a number of, including inquiries

therefore, about 150. welcome back. now it's time for a look at today's sport with karthi. hello from the bbc sport centre. early days in the premier legaue season, but liverpool are making their intentions clear by going top of the table after a 3—0 win over bournemouth. luis diaz scored twice in two minutes, with darwin nunez adding the third in a comfortable win for liverpool at anfield. last season's top two sides, manchester city and arsenal, face each ther tomorrow. asa group, as a group, we are quite disappointed last week with the performance we put in. we didn't feel that that was us — then we bounced back mid week, and we are happy to come back into the premier league and give a good performance. so good character from us, give a good performance. so good characterfrom us, and to keep going this good way. tottenham came from behind to beat brentford 3—1 in what was an entertaining

game at the tottenham hotspur stadium. dominic solanke scored his first goalfor the club since his £65 million move from bournemouth in the summer. spurs clinching a second league win of the campaign. newcastle missed the opportunity to move to the top of the premier league, as their unbeaten start to the season was ended by a 3—1 defeat to fulham. summer signing emile smith rowe continued his impressive start at fulham by doubling his sides' lead. the london club are now in eighth place after taking all three points. in the earlier kick—off, chelsea eased to a 3—0 win over west ham at london stadium. nicholas jackson scored twice within the opening 20 minutes to put the hosts on the backfoot as enzo maresca's side continue their resurgence under him. cole palmer was assisted by jackson for the third goal, just two minutes after the break for a third straightaway victory for chelsea in the league. i mean, i wanted to score three but, you know, we won, so that is the most important for me and the team, so it is fine, more will come. i am just trying to work harder

and do more than last year, and try to be on top form, which is what everybody wants for the team, and play champions league. but now the game has finished, so we just concentrate on the next game. the big game of the weekend is on sunday, when leaders manchester city host arsenal. aston villa scored two late goals as they beat wolves 3—1. leicester city and everton drew 1—1 with both sides still searhching for a first win this season. southampton and ipswich also drew 1—1. britain's lando norris is on pole position for the singapore grand prix. it's the mclaren driver's fourth pole in six races. norris is currently 59 points behind championship leader, max verstappen, who'll start in second place on the grid for red bull with lewis hamilton's mercedes in third. but carlos sainz�* car will need plenty of work to be ready to race on sunday after he made a mess of a bend and crashed his ferrari during qualifying — the session had to be paused for the car to be removed.

anthonyjoshua has a chance, later on saturday, to join an elite group of legends, including the likes of mohammed ali, if he can become a three—time world heavyweight champion. joshua is taking on english compatriot daniel dubois, the ibf champion, in this all british heavyweight title fight. the two boxers had their traditionalface—off in trafalgar square. joshua weighed in at 18 stone, with dubois, a few pounds lighter at 17 stone ten pounds, that's still the heaviest he's been. a post—war record crowd of 96,000 fans, are expected to pack out wembley stadium later. and in the second odi between england look to be heading for defeat against australia in the second one day internaional. austrlia were all out for 270 off 44.1; overs. england need 95 runs to win with two wickets remaining.

here — the labour party is this weekend holding 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. the conference is at the end of a week in which senior labour figuress have been criticised for receiving gifts from party donors. —— senior labour figures. downing street says the prime minster, his deputy, and the chancellor will no longer accept any donations for clothing. live to our political correspondent alex forsyth, who is in liverpool. alex, they are going into this with some of those criticisms hanging over their heads. quite riaht, the hanging over their heads. quite right, the conference _ right, the conference officially starts tomorrow — but people are starting to arrive here, and if you look around the conference centre here, you can see the slogan here, you can see the slogan

here everywhere is "change begins," because what the party will want to talk about is what it's doing in government — but it's doing in government — but it's come on the back of a week where there's been lots of stories and criticisms about gifts and clothing, but football tickets, glasses, and the pay of senior people in the downing street operation. joining me to talk about this is lucy powell, leader of the house of commons. thanks for coming on. it's not the best start to the first conference in government in 1a years, is it? in government in 14 years, is it? �* , , �* it? it's the first time we've gathered _ it? it's the first time we've gathered and _ it? it's the first time we've gathered and i _ it? it's the first time we've gathered and i think - it? it's the first time we've gathered and i think 15 - it? it's the first time we've i gathered and i think 15 years as a — gathered and i think 15 years as a party, ora gathered and i think 15 years as a party, or a conference as the _ as a party, or a conference as the party— as a party, or a conference as the party of government. and it should — the party of government. and it should be — the party of government. and it should be a moment to celebrate - but_ should be a moment to celebrate — but actually, we knew coming into this — — but actually, we knew coming into this conference these are very— into this conference these are very serious times with very serious _ very serious times with very serious issues happening across our country that we now bear the responsibility of trying to sort — the responsibility of trying to sort out _ the responsibility of trying to sort out and getting that change beginning, as you say, for people to actually feel that— for people to actually feel that in— for people to actually feel that in their everyday lives. so we — that in their everyday lives. so we are _ that in their everyday lives. so we are coming here in any case— so we are coming here in any case with— so we are coming here in any case with our work heads on,

being — case with our work heads on, being serious about the job we've — being serious about the job we've got to do because we are determined to do that.— determined to do that. we've heard from — determined to do that. we've heard from the _ determined to do that. we've heard from the prime - determined to do that. we've i heard from the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the chancellor that they won't accept gifts in terms of clothing any more — but do you think that's enough to draw a line under this? or do you think this will dog you through the course of the next few days that you're gathered here in liverpool because it's ultimately about a question of judgment? should these senior people have done and the first place? people have done and the first lace? , ., ., people have done and the first lace? ,., ., , place? the important things here are. — place? the important things here are, firstly, _ place? the important things here are, firstly, are - place? the important things here are, firstly, are you - here are, firstly, are you being _ here are, firstly, are you being completely transparent? these — being completely transparent? these are things that are a matter— these are things that are a matter of public record that happened over a long period of time. _ happened over a long period of time, that we've been completely transparent about. that's — completely transparent about. that's not what the previous government used to do, many times— government used to do, many times they were found in breach of the _ times they were found in breach of the rules because they werent— of the rules because they weren't being transparent about that _ weren't being transparent about that and — weren't being transparent about that. and there is the second issue — that. and there is the second issue which relates to that — are these _ issue which relates to that — are these in any way affecting your— are these in any way affecting your decisions? have people got undue _ your decisions? have people got undue influence, is there a conflict _ undue influence, is there a conflict of interest? and i would _ conflict of interest? and i would say absolutely not, we

are bringing in a football governance bill in a matter of weeks. — governance bill in a matter of weeks, we are taking on the water— weeks, we are taking on the water companies, the rail companies back into public ownership, we've dressed brought— ownership, we've dressed brought in a bill to give renters _ brought in a bill to give renters huge rights they've never — renters huge rights they've never had before when the last government were in hop to the landlord — government were in hop to the landlord lobby. we are not in hock — landlord lobby. we are not in hock to — landlord lobby. we are not in hock to these interests at all, we are — hock to these interests at all, we are on— hock to these interests at all, we are on the side of fans and consumers, and we are on the side _ consumers, and we are on the side of— consumers, and we are on the side of ordinary people, and that's— side of ordinary people, and that's what the government is about — that's what the government is about. ., , �* about. one of the things we've heard a lot _ about. one of the things we've heard a lot about _ about. one of the things we've heard a lot about in _ about. one of the things we've heard a lot about in the - about. one of the things we've| heard a lot about in the run-up heard a lot about in the run—up to this conference are the tough decisions to come not least in the budget. there's been some criticism that the party as being too gloomy about the country's prospects, and news this week that consumer confidence is slumping — will bca change in tone at this conference, will you be more optimistic? conference, will you be more optimistic?— optimistic? what we will be prejecting _ optimistic? what we will be prejecting to _ optimistic? what we will be projecting to people - optimistic? what we will be projecting to people this . optimistic? what we will be i projecting to people this week is its — projecting to people this week is its power with a purpose, what — is its power with a purpose, what we're trying to do has a purpose _ what we're trying to do has a purpose to and the destination

is one — purpose to and the destination is one that we will be clear about. _ is one that we will be clear about, and i hope we are being clear— about, and i hope we are being clear about, which is about improving people's living standards. overthe improving people's living standards. over the last government, beats all living standards fall for the first time _ standards fall for the first time in _ standards fall for the first time in our history — we want to see — time in our history — we want to see living standards improving for every person right— improving for every person right across the country, different parts of the regions and so — different parts of the regions and so on, as well, and we want to see _ and so on, as well, and we want to see our— and so on, as well, and we want to see our public services improve. _ to see our public services improve, get those waiting lists— improve, get those waiting lists down so we've got public services — lists down so we've got public services that people can rely on. services that people can rely on i— services that people can rely on. i think that's what we'll be judged on at the end of this — be judged on at the end of this we _ be judged on at the end of this. we know it'll be a difficult _ this. we know it'll be a difficult journey initially to start — difficult journey initially to start getting there, but we want — start getting there, but we want to— start getting there, but we want to make the destination realty— want to make the destination really clear and that journey of change has begun as our logo savs~ _ of change has begun as our logo says do — of change has begun as our logo sa s. ., , says. do you need to get better at tellin: says. do you need to get better at telling people _ says. do you need to get better at telling people that, - at telling people that, explaining while you're doing what you're doing?— explaining while you're doing what you're doing? that's what we are trying — what you're doing? that's what we are trying to _ what you're doing? that's what we are trying to do _ what you're doing? that's what we are trying to do in - we are trying to do in reece topiev— we are trying to do in reece topley trust. we are operating here _ topley trust. we are operating here under a mushroom cloud of cynicism. — here under a mushroom cloud of cynicism, about, can

politicians change or are they all the — politicians change or are they all the same? politicians change or are they allthe same? it's politicians change or are they all the same? it's on our shoulders to prove to people that — shoulders to prove to people that politicians aren't all the same and we can change things for the — same and we can change things for the better. we've got a job of work— for the better. we've got a job of work to— for the better. we've got a job of work to do that, i recognise that. — of work to do that, i recognise that, we've got a toughjob to do that— that, we've got a toughjob to do that and we are determined to do— do that and we are determined to do that _ do that and we are determined to do that over the coming months _ to do that over the coming months and years ahead. there are some _ months and years ahead. there are some tensions _ months and years ahead. there are some tensions bubbling - are some tensions bubbling under the surface about specific policy areas —1 of them is the packet on workers' rights. can you bring forward legislation on workers' rights in the first 100 days of this government, as you promised to do? . �* . government, as you promised to do? ., �*, ., government, as you promised to do? �*, do? that's our commitment, it's not a secret. _ do? that's our commitment, it's not a secret, but _ do? that's our commitment, it's not a secret, but we _ do? that's our commitment, it's not a secret, but we are - not a secret, but we are working _ not a secret, but we are working at pace — part of my 'ob working at pace — part of my job is— working at pace — part of my job is to _ working at pace — part of my job is to look at the legislation, help get that ready— legislation, help get that ready and get at the parliament. we've been working at pace — parliament. we've been working at pace across the whole of summer— at pace across the whole of summer around that, at pace across the whole of summeraround that, and at pace across the whole of summer around that, and this will be — summer around that, and this will be a — summer around that, and this will be a big package. it's the first— will be a big package. it's the first step _ will be a big package. it's the first step in rebalancing our economy— first step in rebalancing our economy and that way, but we'll be bringing in a bill, and

employment right bill. it's in our manifesto anyway and it's a firm _ our manifesto anyway and it's a firm commitment, and we are working — firm commitment, and we are working really hard at making that a — working really hard at making that a reality. that's been a tough — that a reality. that's been a toughjob, i can tell you that, but we've _ toughjob, i can tell you that, but we've been doing it. lucyr but we've been doing it. lucy powell, thanks _ but we've been doing it. lucy powell, thanks very - but we've been doing it. lucy powell, thanks very much, i powell, thanks very much, leader of the house of commons at the conference. you'll be hearing lots of these themes over the course of the few days of the economy, labour's programme for government, but there'll be questions about what we've over the last week. it's up to whether the public starts to feel that slogan anytime soon.— starts to feel that slogan anytime soon. starts to feel that slogan an ime soon. �* ., anytime soon. alex, thinks for that update- — anytime soon. alex, thinks for that update. -- _ anytime soon. alex, thinks for that update. -- thanks - anytime soon. alex, thinks for that update. -- thanks for- anytime soon. alex, thinks for| that update. -- thanks for that that update. —— thanks for that update. dozens more women have come forward to the bbc to make fresh sexual assualt allegations against the former harrods boss. he's been accused of

sexual assault and rape. a woman who worked at harrods when mohamed al fayed owned the store says other bosses there "colluded" with his misconduct. the current owners of harrods have said they are appalled by the allegations, and that the business today is "a very different organisation". and fulham football club has said it's trying to establish if anyone at the club has been affected by the allegations. al fayed bought the club in 1997 for 30 million pounds. the manager of fulham's former women's team said precautions were put in place to protect female players from him. dean armstrong kc is one of the barristers representing the alleged victims — he told me about the developments over the past two days. the bbc has been and continues to be fundamental in the ability for these women to show bravery and come forward. in terms of — it's important that i address the distinction, there are still 37 signed up, in terms of clients — but obviously since the documentary and since the press conference, there have been a wealth of inquiries to our team over the last couple of days. doing the

best i can, we are certainly, and including the 37 already, i think we are now at a number of, including inquiries therefore, about 150. and in terms of _ therefore, about 150. and in terms of some _ therefore, about 150. and in terms of some of _ therefore, about 150. and in terms of some of what - therefore, about 150. and in terms of some of what you i terms of some of what you mentioned there yesterday at that press conference, you urged more women to come forward, you said there's a community there to support them — the current owners of harrods have said they've set up a process that will allow women to settle their claims quickly, therefore avoiding a lengthy legal process. i wonder what your advice is to women as they consider their options?- consider their options? well, m first consider their options? well, my first piece _ consider their options? well, my first piece of _ consider their options? well, my first piece of advice - consider their options? well, my first piece of advice is - my first piece of advice is whoever — if they getjustice, that's the most important thing. it is ironic, and there's a huge sense of irony as far as i'm concerned, that harrods are now suggesting there's a speed of process

about this. let's be clear about this. let's be clear about this. let's be clear about this — harrods was sold in 2010, there were allegations going back as far as 1997 — for them to say in 2023, "we are very sorry and we want to proceed speedily with this," i find it unacceptable, particularly unacceptable that these courageous survivors have had the courage to come forward and contribute to the programme on the bbc on thursday evening, and for harrods to say they are pursuing this effectively, or the influences of expedition — ijust the influences of expedition — i just cannot accept that. there is plenty more on the bbc website and the beeps he documentary is on the iplayer. minster fumio kishida, on saturday, as part of the indo—pacific quad summit. mr biden is hosting his

counterparts from the group, which also includes australia and india, with plans to announce new strategic security initiatives in the indian ocean. tomohiko taniguchi, a special adviser at the think tank fujitsu future studies, who was also previously a special adviser to the cabinet of former prime minister shinzo abe, explained the significance of this meeting. precisely because two of the four leaders are scheduled to leave during monsoon, it is very much important for those leaders to hammer out the importance among them, amongst themselves to build a stronger group identity so that that strong group identity will be inherited to the future leaders. certainly the japanese leader, but very much hopefully the next president of the united states.— the next president of the united states. �* ,., , united states. and both these leaders, both _ united states. and both these leaders, both prime _ united states. and both these leaders, both prime minister. leaders, both prime minister fumio kishida, as well asjoe

biden, have a relationship, don't they, a strong relationship? don't they, a strong relationshi? , , relationship? indeed, because their terms — relationship? indeed, because their terms have _ relationship? indeed, because their terms have just - relationship? indeed, because| their terms have just coincided with with the lifting of travel bands and everything, and so on and so forth, so in person meetings started under their leaderships, and joe biden has elevated the quad meetings to leaderships, and joe biden has elevated the quad meetings to the summit level. and joe biden the summit level. and joe biden has also invited prime minister has also invited prime minister kishida as well as the filipino kishida as well as the filipino and south korean presidents to and south korean presidents to once again strengthen the once again strengthen the us—led democratic maritime us—led democratic maritime group, which will be a side group, which will be a side group, which will be a side group, let's say, in addition group, which will be a side group, let's say, in addition to the quad.— to the quad.— group, let's say, in addition group, let's say, in addition to the quad. when it comes to the security — to the quad. when it comes to the security — to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, _ to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, of- to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, of course i the security issues, of course now is a time of global to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, _ to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, of- to the quad. when it comes to the security issues, of course i the security issues, of course now is a time of global instability in some ways, they instability in some ways, they are two major wars that many are two major wars that many

countries are involved in, countries are involved in, and ukraine as well as the war in gaza are affecting the world, affecting resources globally — i wonder what you see as the key strategic goals here when it comes to those conflicts?

key strategic goals here when it corr stately iose conflicts? key strategic goals here when it corr stately mansion icts? key strategic goals here when it corr stately mansion of s? key strategic goals here when it corr stately mansion of the in the stately mansion of the alma mater ofjoe biden. the actor david graham, who provided the voice for characters in several 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 more than 180 countries. our 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 olivier�*s company at the national theatre, and one that ended giving joy to so, so many. whee! oh—ho—ho! oh, you seem heavier than before. pig snorts 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 for 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 forfive 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 world cup came to england in 2012 at manchester's etihad stadium, and now it is coming back to where it all started. it will be the biggest world cup ever. it is the home of subbuteo. when you are having a tournament in england you can have a big stadium, but why not bring it to the birthplace of the game? it is dexterous, it is tactile — it's like a combination between chess, football, and billiards. there's 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 housejust outside tunbridge wells, where in 1947, 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 that has spread all over the world. and 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's this really interesting part of our local heritage, it's one of those pieces around west kent where everyone's family history in some way involved subbuteo, making it in the factories, painting it and playing themselves. i used to have a flick on the

floor, of course, you had all the little tiny figures to paint, the hands and the faces. it's 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's not hard to see why justin's friends _ call him goldfinger. he's 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. i think it's 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. blocking shot there. and often you stood on the players... oh, my goodness, what a goal. it'as 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 evolved to be slimmer, so they slide along really quickly — but it's 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's 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. maybe i'll become a fan of subbuteo. that's all from me, stay with us on bbc news, mike colleague is taking overfrom her from colleague is taking overfrom herfrom me — she's a colleague is taking overfrom her from me — she's a friend, should've said that. stay with us on bbc news.

hello there. we've had a lot of stubborn fog along the north sea coast today, but also big thunderstorms, torrential downpour is, really nasty if you're caught one of those. they'll continue through this evening, overnight, there will be around through sunday and monday. there are a met office warnings because we are expecting quite a lot of wet weather to come along. a month's worth of and potentially in places. big storms through the midlands today, but a few rain... and actually becoming more widespread we think as they move up from the south. most further north, a little bit of mist and fog, it's warmer in the south but the return of the mist and fog of the north sea coast. let's focus on some of that winter weather, this is what the computer model thinks of the rainfall amounts in the next 2—3 days. we are edging towards a month's worth of rain and some parts of england and wales, it could be quite wet, so there's a concern for flooding clearly. and once

again, as we come into sunday morning, they become more numerous overnight, there's outbreaks of rain with embedded thunderstorms in them, lightning certainly there as we go into sunday morning. rather gray and misty again and north sea coast, damp and drizzly. but further west overnight, we may have some mist and fog to clear away, may have some mist and fog to clearaway, going may have some mist and fog to clear away, going into mid morning. but once it clears, good smells of sunshine again, hopeful that that cloud will also break the central belt where it didn't today, but look at this further south, because we've got more extensive... temperatures won't be quite as high, but once again if you're caught in the torrential downpours, it's quite treacherous on the roads. that pressure moves out but not till monday. rain towards the north but we've got low pressure in the stomach are rushing in midweek. this time more rain in the south, but on monday, still that band of slow moving,

heavy, foundry rain. again, most across england and wales. by most across england and wales. by tuesday, a little bit of rain also for the far north of the country, but some brighter weather. as a brighter weather comes down from the north later, it'll see temperatures tumbling away, but there is more wet and windy weather to come midweek.

live from london,

this is bbc news. israel and hezbollah exchange cross—border attacks. waves of rockets are fired into northern israel and targets are struck in southern lebanon. hezbollah confirms two of its senior commanders are among 37 people killed in friday's strike on beirut. russia evacuates 1,200 people after a ukrainian attack on an ammunition warehouse east of occupied crimea. dozens more women contact the bbc and legal teams with fresh allegations about the former harrods boss mohamed al fayed. votes are being counted in sri lanka's first presidential election since economic meltdown two years ago. hello, i'm karin giannone. the us national security adviser has warned the risk

of an escalation in fighting between israel and hezbollah