sentenced more than 60 people have now come forward alleging abuse by former harrods boss mohamed al fayed, lawyers say. helene weakens to a tropical storm as it moves over the us state of georgia the us state of georgia after battering florida after battering florida with powerful winds with powerful winds and severe flooding. and severe flooding. hello, welcome to bbc news now, hello, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. news, interviews and reaction. the israeli prime minister the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu is benjamin netanyahu is due to speak at the un due to speak at the un general assembly in new york yolande knell reports. general assembly in new york within the next hour, with close attention within the next hour, with close attention on what he says. on what he says. we'll bring you live we'll bring you live coverage, with expert coverage, with expert analysis of that speech. analysis of that speech. hopes of a ceasefire hopes of a ceasefire between israel and his brother between israel and his brother seem to have receded, seem to have receded, with both sides with both sides continuing to launch continuing to launch cross—border rocket fire. lebanon's national news agency cross—border rocket fire. lebanon's national news agency says israeli air strikes have says israeli air strikes have intensified overnight and in one strike in intensified overnight and in one strike in southern lebanon, a family southern lebanon, a family of nine were killed. of nine were killed. from jerusalem, from jerusalem, yolande knell reports.

answering force with force. a rocket launched by israel's iron dome defence system over haifa bay. intercepting hezbollah�*s latest missiles fired from lebanon and across the border. smoke rises after fighterjets strike what israel says are hezbollah targets. hundreds have been killed and many more wounded, including children. is truly terrifying," says doctor mohammed dawood. "hospital staff are overwhelmed." at the un general assembly, the uk isjoining the us led push for a three—week truce.

i call on israel and hezbollah to stop the violence, step back from the brink. we need to see an immediate ceasefire to provide space for a diplomatic settlement, and we are working with all partners to that end. but so far, israel has rejected the calls from its allies. its military has been told to continue fighting with full strength. at the moment, that means an aerial campaign, but plans

just as it has with the gaza ceasefire effort. and in gaza, war continues to take its toll. displaced families clearing up after another deadly israeli air strike yesterday on a school—turned—shelter. israel says it was targeting hamas fighters. with the israeli prime minister speaking at the un general assembly later, many will be looking for signs of how the conflicts in this region could end. our middle east correspondent, hugo bachega, gave anna foster, also in beirut, an assessment of what is likley to happen next. well, i think there's a lot of diplomatic activity happening for a ceasefire. it's very difficult to see a ceasefire happening now. obviously, the israelis are saying that they're going to continue with this offensive against hezbollah.

these air strikes targeting places across lebanon. the prime minister is under a lot of pressure, domestic pressure from his hardline allies. i'm sure that in israel, military officials are saying that they need more time to weaken hezbollah, to destroy the infrastructure that has been used by hezbollah. there is even the possibility of a ground incursion into southern lebanon to try to create that so—called buffer zone in the south, to push hezbollah away from the border. so i don't think there is any kind of room at the moment for the israelis to accept a ceasefire. and here in lebanon, we haven't heard any official reaction from hezbollah. but, you know, they remain defiant. they say that these attacks are going to continue. they say they are supporting palestinians in gaza. so it's very difficult at the moment to see how they're going to detach themselves from the situation in gaza. so i think, you know, despite all this pressure, these calls for de—escalation, it's very difficult to see a ceasefire happening now.

let's take a moment to look at the damage caused across parts of the country. this is kfarmelki in southern lebanon on tuesday. this is tamra in northern israel. same day. and this is tyre, also in southern lebanon on wednesday. even though hezbollah and israel have traded near—daily cross—border fire for nearly a year, the intensity of strikes appears to be rising with a lot of damage in southern lebanon. so this is fire data, which has been compiled by aurora tech. they're a german—based company who use satellites which have special infrared sensors that monitor for temperature anomalies and help detect wildfires, which they then usually report to forestry and firefighting services. in this case, they're using the very same tech to analyse the situation in lebanon. and here are those areas in lebanon for the 23rd of september — latest we've got — which indicate possible damage

caused by israeli strikes, as well as fires down in israel near the sea of galilee. now, it's important to note we haven't independently verified that strikes took place at all of these locations. but if we take this data and we use it as a guide, we can start to pick out individual areas and zone in on satellite imagery. so, 12th of september, before this really got started in a small town of about 7,500 people, and this is the same place on the 24th of september, showing these dark grey patches around the west and the south. those are burn marks from explosions and fires. but what does this look like for the people on the ground in lebanon? well, this brief clip we've verified shows five impacts on the southern side. the earliest copy we've seen of this clip is from three days ago, the 23rd or there's here a massive smoke plume over khirbet bassel or here near the cemetery of tyre fawzi. but we don't have material from everywhere. instead, we use satellite imagery to confirm what's been happening.

so again, 12th of september, before things really ramped up. this is where we've seen some of the most noticeable damage. it's about a mile and a half from the israeli border, and 80 miles, or 125km from beirut. 24th september, the latest we have data for, again, you can see those dark patches of burning and damage. we know to go looking for this from that fire data, which pointed to this spot and the fire damage done on the 23rd. now, on the 23rd of september, the idf spokesperson, daniel hagari, said his brother had spent 20 years hiding its equipment in those towns and villages along the border of southern lebanon. we can't independently verify this intelligence, though. however, the situation doesn't look like letting up. on thursday morning, the idf claimed hezbollah launched 45 rockets into israel while they struck 75 targets in lebanon. yonahjeremy bob is senior military correspondent at the jerusalem post. i asked him what netanyahu might focus on in his speech.

speculation until we see it. and i think what he would have said three days - ago is different than, - you know, three hours ago, because the situation . is so dynamic right now between israel and i hezbollah in lebanon. but basically, i think. you can look at a thrust of arguments that say, hezbollah in lebanon, | hamas in gaza, iran, i because israel sees iran as sort of the mastermind behind all of this, - beware, watch out. beware, watch out. we're going to keep striking we're going to keep striking you until you agree to cease you until you agree to cease fires on our terms. fires on our terms. hamas in gaza needs hamas in gaza needs to return, you know, | to return, you know, | hostages that they're holding. hostages that they're holding. hezbollah needs to agree - hezbollah needs to agree - to observe un security council to observe un security council resolution 1701 from 2006, l resolution 1701 from 2006, l which said that they shouldn't which said that they shouldn't be in southern lebanon. be in southern lebanon. and of course, they've been in say that when he goes - and of course, they've been in southern lebanon in violationl southern lebanon in violationl of that the entire time. of that the entire time. so he's going to try- so he's going to try- to push those messages, to push those messages, increase israel's legitimacy increase israel's legitimacy within the world, and he'sl within the world, and he'sl going to be speaking - going to be speaking - to israel's domestic audience. to israel's domestic audience. israelis have a lot - israelis have a lot - of pride that netanyahu of pride that netanyahu speaks english very well. speaks english very well. and so even some of his critics and so even some of his critics

say that when he goes - internationally, he sort - of puts a good for, you know, puts himself forward in a very| powerful, strong way in terms of the domestic political scene. | we political scene. will bring you much more on that. we will bring you much more on that. we are following the speech which is due in about 15 minutes or

a wolverhampton park. he'd come to the uk from his home in the caribbean island of anguilla for medical treatment after suffering a detached retina in a basketball game. he was repeatedly stabbed in a savage attack after a chance encounter with the two 12—year—olds. after i hear that call that says shawn got stabbed, i don't know what happened after. i think i maybe threw the phone down, i don't know, i can't remember what happened. i left in shock. just hours before it was used to take his life, one of the boys posed for this photo with the machete. it was nearly a foot and a half long and was found hidden under one of their beds. they chopped his leg, they chopped his arm, they chopped a piece of his head out. they stabbed him through and through. they killed my son like they are killing a dog or something, you know? because they were so young, in court, thejudge and barristers didn't wear wigs and gowns, and specially trained staff and family members sat with the boys for support. today, they were told

they must serve at least 8.5 years in custody before they are eligible for parole. shawn was only 19 when his life was taken at the hands of two i boys, then aged just 12, . who had armed themselves with a machete. that reality has had - a huge impact on us all. it is both shocking and saddening. i shawn seesahai's family couldn't afford to come back to the uk for sentencing because they'd spent all their savings on coming here for the trial. shawn's body was repatriated and he was cremated and his family came here to one of his favourite spots to scatter his ashes. but half a world away from the uk, they are still struggling to cope with what happened. it's so hard right now. i can't even explain, but it's very hard now. it will bring back our memory, from the day he died and everything i did and bring his ashes here, it's so hard. the family watched today's hearing via a video link. they know that whatever happens to the boys who killed him,

nothing will bring their son back. phil mackie, bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

it has been announced in the last few minutes that the famed actress dame maggie smith has died. a statement has said she passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning. an intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end, she leaves to max andersen five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their grandmother.

it goes on to say we think you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time. the statement has come from chris larkin and toby stephens from their publicist on their behalf, announcing the death of dame maggie smith. let's look back in her incredible life and career. little girls! i am in the business of putting all heads on young shoulders and all of my pupils are the creme de la creme. give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life.— impressionable age and she is mine for life. miss jean brodie brou:ht mine for life. miss jean brodie brought maggie _ mine for life. miss jean brodie brought maggie smith - brought maggie smith international recognition and an oscar. for her portrayal of an oscar. for her portrayal of a maverick teacher in 1930s edinburgh. i a maverick teacher in 1930s edinburgh-— a maverick teacher in 1930s edinburuh. . ., edinburgh. i am dedicated to ou. edinburgh. i am dedicated to yom one _ edinburgh. i am dedicated to you. one co-star _ edinburgh. i am dedicated to you. one co-star was - edinburgh. i am dedicated to you. one co-star was her - edinburgh. i am dedicated to | you. one co-star was her first husband. _ you. one co-star was her first husband, their— you. one co-star was her first husband, their turbulent - husband, their turbulent

marriage lasted six years. brought up in oxford, she began acting in student productions while still at school. she became a star is a classical actress, especially in shakespeare. i! actress, especially in shakespeare.- actress, especially in shakespeare. actress, especially in shakeseare. .,, , shakespeare. if he loses, he makes a _ shakespeare. if he loses, he makes a swanlike _ shakespeare. if he loses, he makes a swanlike and, - shakespeare. if he loses, he| makes a swanlike and, fading shakespeare. if he loses, he . makes a swanlike and, fading in music. , ., , makes a swanlike and, fading in music. , . , , music. on stage she played desdemona _ music. on stage she played desdemona to _ music. on stage she played desdemona to laurence - music. on stage she played - desdemona to laurence olivier's . i have a definite hump on my left shoulder. it . i have a definite hump on my left shoulder.— . i have a definite hump on my left shoulder. it cost £500 and i look like _ left shoulder. it cost £500 and i look like richard _ left shoulder. it cost £500 and i look like richard iii. - left shoulder. it cost £500 and i look like richard iii. she - i look like richard iii. she -la ed i look like richard iii. she played a _ i look like richard iii. she played a neurotic- i look like richard iii. she played a neurotic actress | played a neurotic actress nominated for an asker. the part suited her rather pessimistic outlook. when thin . s pessimistic outlook. when things go _ pessimistic outlook. when things go will— pessimistic outlook. when things go will it _ pessimistic outlook. when things go will it is - pessimistic outlook. when things go will it is a - pessimistic outlook. when things go will it is a bit - things go will it is a bit alarming. i sometimes think i have had so much luck and good fortune that... it frightens me

somehow. # on saturday i will be willing if you will only take the shilling. if you will only take the shilling-— shilling. captured quiet desperation _ shilling. captured quiet desperation in - shilling. captured quiet desperation in alan - shilling. captured quiet - desperation in alan bennett was mike talking heads.— desperation in alan bennett was mike talking heads. when we put the money on _ mike talking heads. when we put the money on the _ mike talking heads. when we put the money on the plate - mike talking heads. when we put the money on the plate it is - mike talking heads. when we put the money on the plate it ls a - the money on the plate it is a symbol of everything we offer to god and that includes our sex i could only find ten p. today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets. she crafted some — animals into water goblets. she crafted some of _ animals into water goblets. she crafted some of her best loved characters in her 70s. including professor mcgonagle in the harry potter movies. halal in the harry potter movies. now it is our in the harry potter movies. now it is your turn. _ in the harry potter movies. now it is your turn. can _ in the harry potter movies. now it is your turn. can i _ in the harry potter movies. now it is your turn. can i do - in the harry potter movies. now it is your turn. can i do it? - it is your turn. can i do it? if you wish, my lady, of course _ if you wish, my lady, of

course-— if you wish, my lady, of course. ~ ., , ., course. are you really that tall? and _ course. are you really that tall? and the _ course. are you really that tall? and the dowager - course. are you really that i tall? and the dowager widow course. are you really that - tall? and the dowager widow of in downton _ tall? and the dowager widow of in downton abbey. _ tall? and the dowager widow of in downton abbey. when - tall? and the dowager widow of in downton abbey. when i - tall? and the dowager widow of in downton abbey. when i am | in downton abbey. when i am with her i _ in downton abbey. when i am with her i am _ in downton abbey. when i am with her! am reminded - in downton abbey. when i am with her! am reminded of- in downton abbey. when i am with her! am reminded of the| with her i am reminded of the virtuous of the english. with heri am reminded of the virtuous of the english.- virtuous of the english. isn't she american? _ virtuous of the english. isn't she american? exactly. - virtuous of the english. isn't i she american? exactly. dame mar aie she american? exactly. dame maggie smith- _ she american? exactly. dame maggie smith. arch, - she american? exactly. dame maggie smith. arch, touchingj maggie smith. arch, touching and incredibly funny. dame maggie smith has died aged 89, extraordinary career and her work as touched many people around the world. i'm sure it will be a very sad moment for many but of course much of her work captured on film for posterity. just to give you the statement again from her family. her children who have said it is with great sadness we have to announce the death of dame maggie smith. she passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning. an intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. she leaves two sons

and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother and go on to thank the staff at the chelsea westminster hospital for their care and kindness and ask for privacy at this time. a clean—up operation is under way in florida and georgia after they were battered by hurricane helene — one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the us gulf coast. three people have been killed. the damage caused by flooding and strong winds is estimated to run to five billion dollars. the storm is losing power as it heads inland but the us national hurricane center says conditions remain life threatening, as will vernon reports. it's one of the most powerful storms ever to have hit america. bringing heavy rain and wind speeds of 140 mph. up to 20 feet of sea water surged ashore, overwhelming coastal towns

and bringing down trees and power lines. overi million homes have lost electricity. we heard a big bang and the garage door kind of caved in and all the water came rushing into the house like a giant stream. so we grabbed the dogs and ran as quickly as we could with just what we had and our dogs and that's it. rescuers battled through the flood waters to reach those in need. officials say the death toll could rise. when floridians wake up tomorrow morning, you're gonna be waking up to a state where, very likely, there's been additional loss of life, and certainly there is going to be loss of property. you're going to have people who are going to lose their homes because of this storm. mandatory evacuation orders had been issued for parts of florida, with one official calling the storm unsurvivable. the police in taylor county, florida sent this chilling appeal to those who chose not

to evacuate, urging them to write their name on their arm in marker pen, so they could be identified when the worst happens. and the storm is now on the move, thrusting northwards into the state of georgia. the governor has declared a state of emergency. at this point, it- doesn't really matter what category this storm is, it's one of the biggest that we've ever seen - in the atlantic from a size perspective, | on the width of it. over, you know, - around 500 miles wide. as helene leaves widespread flooding in its wake, officials say power cuts could last for days or even weeks. warnings remain in place for 60 million people across the united states.

where the storm came onshore was 270 miles from where i am standing right now. this is atlanta. it's in north georgia, the state above florida. that shows how widespread, fast—moving and strong helene actually was. this is an apartment complex. look at this car right here. completely underwater. there's a couple of them down there that are underwater all the way up to the rooftop. and this one, it's got the bonnet right underneath the water at this point. but there are lots of people who are in these apartments back here. the us coastguard has released some dramatic footage showing their rescue of a man and his dog from the sea as hurricane helene approached them off the coast of florida. they became stranded when their sailing boat started drifting and taking on water. both man and dog are said to be in good medical condition.

at least 46 people have drowned, most of them children, while celebrating a hindu festival in eastern india. they were ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding in the state of bihar and died in separate incidents across 15 districts. india has seen deadly stampedes during religious events in the past but widespread drowning incidents during festivals are rare. the independent doctors' regulator — the general medical council — refused to investigate alleged medical malpractice at harrods in 2017, because it said too much time had passed and the case wasn't in the wider public interest. our correspondent tom

symonds can tell us more. this recruit to harrods in 2008, had a very intimate medical examination. it found she had an infection, and she was given a prescription to go and get something from the chemist, but then she was asked to go up and see mohamed al—fayed. he was wearing a dressing gown, she said, and he immediately asked her, "got that thing taken care of and did you pick up that thing?" and he felt she was talking about that medical test result and the need to get a prescription, so she complained. to the general medical council, which regulates doctors in the uk, and she said that her medical information had been inappropriately shared. but the gmc said it couldn't investigate because it has a rule that it can only look at things that have happened within the last five years, unless they�* re really, really serious and it can waive that rule.

and if there is a reason within the general public interest. and he said that didn't said that didn't count in this case. now the victim in this case has said that she is furious at that still, and that a minute level of investigation could have revealed that major things were going wrong. the gmc said in a statement to us today, we will carefully assess any new concerns raised with us and any existing information we hold. and also, the justice for harrods group has said today that it is now representing 60 people in its legal claims, potentially against harrods. a reminder of the breaking news this error that dame maggie smith, celebrated actress over decades, has died. she was 89 and herfamily her children and her family her children haveissued and herfamily her children have issued a statement to say that dame maggie smith passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning. an intensely private person she

was with friends and families at the end. she leaves behind her sons and grandchildren devastated by the loss of the extraordinary grandmother and mother. they thank the staff at the hospital for mother. they thank the staff at the hospitalfor their mother. they thank the staff at the hospital for their care and kindness. known in recent years for her role in downton abbey and the harry potter movies playing professor mcgonagle. winning a new generation of fans and her work over decades has moved so many of us on stage and screen of course. this is bbc news. hello there. it's been a very wet start to the day across central and southern areas, exacerbating already existing flooding issues. we've got saturated ground across much of england and wales. the good news is, though, for this afternoon it is brightening up for many with plenty of sunshine. there will be a few scattered showers.

that's the earlier rain clearing away with that weather front into the near continent. strong northerly winds develop and drag down some colder air from the arctic across all areas as we push towards the end of the day. it could be a slow clearance across the far south—east, but skies brightening up for many. there will be scattered showers. these will have heavy wintry elements across the hills in scotland and the winds picking up, as well. a chilly northerly, it will feel quite bracing across north sea coasts, where it will be very strong at times. those temperatures below par for the time of year. we're just into the low teens for many of us, but even cooler than that for northern scotland. tonight's going to be a chilly one under clear skies. we'll have showers peppering coastal areas. some thicker cloud pushing into the north and west of scotland with some rain here. temperatures recovering here by the end of the night, but a chilly one to come for many. cold for northern england, eastern scotland under clear skies with a touch of frost. high pressure builds in from the south for the start of the weekend. that will bring very pleasant conditions. a lot more sunshine around. though a chilly start, it will be dry and sunny for england and wales. the cloud across scotland and northern ireland will filter a little bit further southwards and eastwards through the day. a few showers here.

most of the rain across the far north of scotland. it should stay dry with a good deal of sunshine for the midlands southwards. temperatures perhaps a little bit higher, up to 15 degrees in the south—east. low teens further north. saturday night will be another cold one under clearer skies. sunday starts fine, but our area of high pressure is short lived. it retreats out towards the near continent and low pressure begins to wind itself up, bringing wet and windy conditions across southern and western areas as we go through the day on sunday. ee've got yellow warnings in force for strong winds for the south—west here. further north it will stay dry, though turning cloudier through the day and temperatures beginning to lift a little bit. mid—teens in the south, low teens further north. monday will be wet and windy in the south, that clears away. a quieter spell for the middle part of the upcoming week with temperatures recovering, but then it turns more unsettled again by the end of the new week.

this is bbc news, the headlines... dame maggie smith has died aged 89. the israeli benjamin netanyahu is due to speak at the united nations in new york shortly. meanwhile, israeland

hezbollah continue to trade fire across the lebanese border despite international pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, the pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, the death pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, the death of pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, the death of dame pressure for ceasefire. let's get more on that sad news, the death of dame maggie smith, who has passed away at the age of 89. the oscar—winning actress was a star of stage and screen for decades. she was the star of the harry potter movies, winning young fans over in recent years. of course, she played violet crawley, the dowager countess in downton abbey, which was a huge success not only in uk, but the us. her career over decades was absolutely extraordinary, playing a huge array of