live from london. this is bbc news. israeli strikes into lebanon continue targeting hezbollah. the capital rocked by a massive explosion. it's just gone 7am in beirut. as those strikes continue to pound, thousands more are forced to flee their homes. and, as i was saying... picking up where he left off — donald trump returns to the very stage in butler, pennsylvania where he survived an assassination attempt. and a major rescue effort off samoa, as a new zealand navy ship runs aground, catches fire and sinks. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. the lebanese capital,

beirut, is said to have suffered one of its most intense waves of israeli strikes yet, with large explosions reported across the south of the city. lebanese authorities described the attacks as "very violent". these pictures show a large explosion following one of those strikes. earlier on saturday, the israeli military had issued orders to residents of specific buildings in southern beirut to evacuate. we don't yet know what was hit in the strikes — but israeli forces have bombed areas reported to be hezbollah strongholds. they have also clashed with hezbollah fighters in lebanon's southern border region. the israeli military says it has killed 440 hezbollah fighters since the start of the ground invasion. meanwhile, the border region remains tense as hezbollah has fired rockets into northern israel, with reports that residential buildings were hit.

also on saturday, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu, addressed iran s missile attack on his country earlier this week — saying "israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and respond to these attacks — and we will do so. will vernon has the latest. the bombing in beirut goes on. giant flames leapt into the night sky over the city's southern suburbs. several secondary explosions appear to have been caused by the initial strikes. shortly before the blasts, the israeli military sent out an urgent warning to the area's residents that they should evacuate immediately. as the explosions continued, planes were still seen landing at beirut airport. today, another evacuation flight for british nationals is due to leave. the uk government says no more are planned.

just across the border, northern israel also came under attack from lebanon. the country's iron dome air defences were activated and after this huge ballistic missile attack last week, the israeli prime minister vowed revenge on iran. no country in the world would accept such an attack on its cities and citizens. and nor will israel. israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and respond to these attacks, and it will do so. in lebanon, urgently needed assistance is being rushed into the country. aid agencies say the humanitarian situation is rapidly getting worse with this. this escalating conflict has now forced more than a million people from their homes, and with tensions rising across this region, it's

ordinary civilians that are feeling the pain. will vernon, bbc news. with me is said shehata from bbc arabic. welcome to the studio, lots to get through. bring us up to date on the latest when it comes to both israel and hezbollah and what they have been doing. hezbollah and what they have been doing-— been doing. intense israeli airstrikes. _ been doing. intense israeli airstrikes, five _ been doing. intense israeli airstrikes, five airstrikes i been doing. intense israeli airstrikes, five airstrikes in the stronghold of hezbollah. there is a huge and strong explosions were heard and there was smoke over the place where it was hit and some reports say the french battery companies were hit their, those are some reports from lebanon. at the same time there were some people killed and injured which has added to the toll which is more than 1100 killed since the 23rd of september since the

operation by israel against lebanon according to the lebanese authorities. at the same time hezbollah fired rockets and one of them near an air base near haifa, so the exchange of fire between the sides is intensifying, especially after the israeli army said it killed 440 hezbollah fighters and at the same time hezbollah said it killed at least 25 israeli soldiers since the start of the ground operation earlier this week, so intense fighting between the two size and there is no sign for it easing on any side but the expectation is more for a fight between the two sides because hezbollah even with the distraction of the loss of capabilities on the killing of its leaders, it still has a weapons arsenal huge enough and strong enough to fight israel back to the time being.—

to fight israel back to the time being. to fight israel back to the time beinu. ~ ., time being. we mentioned in the introduction _ time being. we mentioned in the introduction that _ time being. we mentioned in the introduction that benjamin - introduction that benjamin netanyahu said israel has the duty and right to defend itself and respond to those attacks from iran early in the week, that barrage of missiles sent to israel. there's been a lot of anticipation as to what the response might look like from israel and when it might come. what are we hearing about what that might be?— that might be? there is talks between the _ that might be? there is talks between the us _ that might be? there is talks between the us and - that might be? there is talks between the us and israel. that might be? there is talks . between the us and israel about that, because there is intentions of an announcement and talks from israel that they will hit nuclear facilities because it's a long time that benjamin netanyahu has a nuclear program and they've side —— tried so hard since 2012 to campaign against the iranian nuclear program and there is a fear and evenjoe biden said that it might be for

oil sites or other targets but not the nuclear facilities. oil sites or other targets but not the nuclearfacilities. so if he does that i think iran is mentioned by the ayatollah khomeini and the iranian foreign minister that they will respond at the infrastructure of israel, so if israel will hit iran as was expected because of benjamin netanyahu repeating and insisting that that iran will respond and then we will be on the brink of a regional war and this will be not in the interest of anyone. let's not forget the war in gaza continues on. we've been hearing news about an air strike that has hit a mosque there. , ., strike that has hit a mosque there. , . ., ,~ strike that has hit a mosque there. , . ., , there. yes, and the mask is -- there. yes, and the mask is -- the mosque — there. yes, and the mask is -- the mosque is _ there. yes, and the mask is -- the mosque is in _ there. yes, and the mask is -- the mosque is in central- there. yes, and the mask is -- the mosque is in central gaza i the mosque is in central gaza and the israeli army said it was the militants from hamas and they told people before,

but the reports from inside the hospital which is near to the mosque said at least 21 were killed there. and in addition to that there were some airstrikes in northern gaza and central guys are so many places in this added to the toll and now there is more than 41,000 people killed since october last year, so it added to the misery of people and the displaced people and their other people who are displaced from other areas so you can find a safe place even in the mosque and it adds to the misery of the people in gaza. thank you for bringing us up to date on developments. let's speak to amin saikal — who is a professor of middle eastern studies, australian national university.

welcome to the program and i will start with something i just discussed their winches what might come next. we know the middle east is a region on edge and we've been hearing there will be some sort of israeli response and retaliation to iran's actions early in the week, but what is your assessment of what it might look like and what it might look like and what it might target and when it might come? figs might target and when it might come? �* , , ., might target and when it might come? a ~' ., might target and when it might come? a ~ ., �* ., come? as you know, ben'amin netanyahu i come? as you know, ben'amin netanyahu has i come? as you know, ben'amin netanyahu has vowed _ come? as you know, ben'amin netanyahu has vowed to h netanyahu has vowed to retaliate but i think in the first instance what you are trying to do is weaken hezbollah as much as possible is that when israel attacks iran and iran response to that then hezbollah will be really weakened in terms ofjoining iranians in any further confrontation with israel. what israel might have in mind, that has not been exactly clear so far but they have the option of

either bombing the oil platforms orfor that either bombing the oil platforms or for that matter even iran's nuclear sites. washington is not really in favour of any form on the nucleoside some present biden has advised israel over that but we know this in the past benjamin netanyahu has never really respected any major recommendations or advice from the biden administration so i think at this point these options are open to israel but at the same time i think the iranians are getting ready for it and they will be defending the size as much as possible and we know they have soviet—made s 400 antiballistic missiles that were installed in the sensitive areas in order to defend their sides and counter the israelis. indie

defend their sides and counter the israelis.— the israelis. we talk about the ossible the israelis. we talk about the possible retaliation _ the israelis. we talk about the possible retaliation but - the israelis. we talk about the possible retaliation but we - the israelis. we talk about the j possible retaliation but we see on the screen beside us the aftermath of further strikes into beirut because that continues on and the ground offensive fighting between israel and hezbollah. absolutely, and in the past the iranian foreign minister that hezbollah is capable of defending itself so if possible iran would avoid the major war with israel but it all really depends on how israel will do from this point and if it will respond in a severe way to iranians attacks from last week or is it going to be very limited in its response and not hit the sites which are very sensitive and kind of high value to the iranians. at the

same time the iranians have set and their response is that all american assets, right across the region will be iranians targets, so therefore there is a real risk of this conflict developing into a bloody regional war. indie developing into a bloody reaionalwar. ~ ., regional war. we mentioned the latest strike _ regional war. we mentioned the latest strike on _ regional war. we mentioned the latest strike on gaza _ regional war. we mentioned the latest strike on gaza on - regional war. we mentioned the latest strike on gaza on a - latest strike on gaza on a mosque and let's not forget the war has nearly crossed the one—year mark and everybody seems to be say there is unlikely to be a ceasefire before the us presidential election about a month from now. what is your assessment of what might come next when we look at the situation on the ground in gaza? figs look at the situation on the ground in gaza?— look at the situation on the ground in gaza? as you say, the killin: ground in gaza? as you say, the killing fields _ ground in gaza? as you say, the killing fields are _ ground in gaza? as you say, the killing fields are continuing - killing fields are continuing in gaza although israel have repeatedly declared certain areas completely clear of hamas

but still israel has returned to bombing those areas and it shows that hamas has perhaps proved to be more resilient than israelis expected are not the same time the biden administration is concerned about the effect of these developments on the american elections because certainly present biden and his democratic team would not like to see the prices of oil shooting up as a result of it israeli bombardment of platforms, just before the elections and before winter settles in the us and for that reason probably the biden administration is nervous that on the one hand he does not want the war to develop into a regional war and doesn't have as much leveraged against the israeli prime minister unless, as president macron of france has said that particularly the westerns are supplied, of the us, is old supply of arms to

israel and there is no indication thejoe biden administration will do that. thank you, professor for your thoughts. thank you, professor for your thoughts-_ thank you, professor for your thou~hts. ., ~' ., ~ donald trump has returned to site in butler, pennslyvania, where he survived an assassination attempt in july. addressing crowds of cheering supporters from behind bullet—proof glass, the republican presidential candidate described the suspected assassin as a "vicious monster" who had "unleashed evil". the presidential campaign is entering its final stretch, with less than one month to go before voting takes place. exactly 12 weeks ago this evening on this very ground, a cold—blooded assassin aimed to silence me and to silence the greatest movement, maga, in the history of our country. maga. we love maga. for 16 harrowing seconds during the gunfire, time stopped as this vicious monster unleashed pure evil

from his sniper�*s perch, not so far away. but by the hand of providence and the grace of god, that villain did not succeed in his goal. did not come close. 0ur correspondent will grant was at the rally in butler. well, this has been obviously an image that donald trump would have wanted to project after the events of two months ago, returning to the stage in bullish mood. the first thing he said to them was, as i was saying, as though he was picking up his speech from the point it was left off when the assassination attempt took place. so, you know, he's obviously trying to project an image of strength, of fearlessness, which is something his camp wants to do. with just a month to go before voting day.

and a lot of people have turned out for this. some of those who were there on the day and others who have been motivated to come as a result of what happened. meanwhile, vice president kamala harris visited north carolina, which is reeling from damage caused by the deadly hurricane helene. the us department of transportation has released $100 million to north carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by the storm. north carolina is one of the states most severely affected by helene. our partner cbs news reports that about half of the 229 deaths attributed to helene have been recorded there. a two—year—old child is among four people who have died trying to cross the channel from france. the french authorities say it's likely he was trampled to death.

the bodies of a woman and two men were found in the bottom of another vessel. 2024 is the deadliest year on record, for migrants crossing the channel. aru na iyengar reports. dozens of migrants off the coast of dover today, as news came from france of four more fatalities, including a two—year—old boy. french officials said the toddler, born in germany, had been separated from his somali mother by the smugglers when boarding the boat and was trampled to death. translation: to secure - their profits, the unscrupulous smugglers did not hesitate to separate young children from their parents. the parents were not allowed access to the boat, while the child alone had already been forced into the boat. rescuers off the coast of calais found the bodies of two men and a woman in the bottom of another boat. 2024 is now the deadliest on record for migrants crossing the channel. 51 lives lost so far this year. recent good weather has seen a spike in numbers. 395 arrived in the uk

on friday alone. over 25,000 have come since january, around the same as this time last year. home secretary yvette cooper says she will meet with her french counterpart next week to discuss how to tackle the problem. aruna iyengar, bbc news. a state of emergency has been declared in bosnia—herzegovina after flash floods and landslides have left at least 16 people dead. town and villages became submerged after an overnight storm caused rivers to burst their banks. search and rescue work continues across the region as our balkans correspondent guy de launey reports. for the older residents of donja jablanica, it's too much to bear. this is what's left of their village. after floods and landslides

swept through the streets and the houses where the residents were sleeping. the village mosque was submerged by the deluge of water, mud and rocks. somehow, the imam escaped with his family. 0thers weren't so fortunate. from there, i heard a tremendous rumble, as if all the hills turned towards us. i also heard screams for a few minutes and then all went silent. then i thought everyone over there was dead. and how should i feel losing for having no one anymore? my house is completely destroyed. there is no one. no one. what can i tell you? rescue workers have been searching through the inundated houses. british search and rescue specialists are among the international teams who've flown out to help their bosnian colleagues. it's backbreaking work. but while a handful of residents remain missing, the effort to find

them will continue. floods also hit other parts of central bosnia. houses around connewitz were swept away, along with roads and bridges. that includes vital roads and railways between the capital, sarajevo and another key city, mostar. but for now, most people are thinking about the human cost and how one night of heavy rain could have caused such a catastrophe. guy de launey, bbc news, ljubljana. an m—pox vaccination campaign targeting high—risk groups is underway in goma in the east of the democratic republic of congo. the health ministry in kinshasa says it's an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, which has killed close to a thousand people this year. more than 200,000 doses of the m—pox vaccine, which has been donated by the eu and us,

will be administered to adults with pre—existing conditions, healthcare workers, truck drivers, and those exposed to infected patients. for more on that, here is the bbc world service's africa regional editor, richard kagoe. congolese health officials today launched the country's first mpox vaccination in the eastern city of congo. while the ceremony, which was presided over by senior government officials, now sets the stage for what will be considered to be a key effort in containing the outbreak that has spread across the country's 26 provinces, and also from the epicentre in the east of the country to more than 15 countries in the continent, according to the country's health minister. about 1,000 people have been killed since the emergence of a very deadly strain of mpox was detected in the east of the country. now, this is a very unique

vaccination campaign because it's a specifically targeted at people who are at high risk. so, for instance, those who have pre—existing conditions, those who are weak or immunocompromised. it's also targeted at health workers who are literally in the frontline, and also sex workers as well, and people who are involved in cross—border trade and anyone who has been exposed to a suspected case. so the exercise, which began in goma today, will expand from the city, which is the regional city in the east of the country, to north kivu province and south kivu province, which have been quite affected by the outbreak. 75 people on board a new zealand navy vessel which sank off the coast of samoa have escaped safely. the manawanui, ran aground near the southern coast of upolu on saturday, and was seen listing heavily and emitting large plumes of smoke. all crew and passengers we're evacuated via lifeboats. authorities are now working to salvage the vessel and establish what happened.

at this stage, the exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation. it's really sad, but everyone came through and that, i have to say, is down to the professionalism, the training and their own courage. it began two decades ago and now — millions of people — in more than 20 countries — regularly take part in park run. 0ur reporter charlotte gallagher has been looking at the weekend activity that became an international exercise sensation. starting horn. it's a weekend ritual for thousands of people across the uk and beyond. and this is where it all started — bushy park in london. back in 2004 there were just 13 runners taking part. just look at the crowd now.

everybody who was at the very first parkrun, 20 years ago, was given one of these gold bar codes on the tenth anniversary, so we're called the parkrun pioneers. it'sjust a social thing, and i think that's missing in the world so much these days. walk, run, volunteer, come and have— walk, run, volunteer, come and have a— walk, run, volunteer, come and have a coffee _ walk, run, volunteer, come and have a coffee. that's _ walk, run, volunteer, come and have a coffee. that's the - have a coffee. that's the thing _ it gets the heart rate going. it's just good to get out, and it's a good start to the weekend as well. i'm going to count you down from 20. 20, go! and runners in great yarmouth get the picturesque sea views. there have been millions of miles covered, lifelong friendships made, and even some parkrun romances. like lucy and terry. brought us together. yeah. got down here on a winter's day and summer's day and all the rest of it, and, yeah. brilliant, it's been fantastic, changed our lives, hasn't it? it has, it has. and we started talking over covid, didn't - we, to start with?

yeah. and then sort of, i think because i had covid, - i had a costa delivered, and that's how it - started, really! and this is the man behind it all — paul sinton—hewitt. it's a wonderful story. everybody is in this together. we are all invited. inclusive for everybody. and yes, you're right, there are many, many people whose lives have been changed because of parkrun. the average time people take to finish the course is slowing down, but for paul, that's good news. that shows that more and more average, regular people are involved in parkrun. it's not about athletics, it's not about competition. we invite you to be the best you possibly can be. parkrun is now in 23 countries and even held in some prisons. the event, which started with just a handful of people, is set to run and run. charlotte gallagher, bbc news, bushy park. even i have done a few park runs. there is more on the website. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. a weather front is approaching us, and that does mean a lot of cloud for many of us on sunday. quite a few showers too, some of them will be heavy, but i think early in the morning, if you're closer to the north sea coast, there'll be some sunshine. let's have a look at the satellite picture. here's the jet stream pushing the weather front towards us, and that weather front brought a spell of very wet weather saturday evening for cornwall and devon. but i want to talk about the next few days and highlight this feature here. this dartboard low coming out of the tropics — that's actually a hurricane which will transition into an extratropical weather system or a mid—latitude weather system. and look at it. if you eyeball it, it's ominously heading in our direction — or is it? well, actually, there's a lot of uncertainty. it could go to the south of us, taking its very strong winds and rain. it could just about clip us.

and it looks as though midweek we could see some potentially bad weather across the south of the uk. but it's still some days away and there's really a lot of uncertainty with this weather system. so keep track of the weather forecast. now, here's the here and now, or sunday morning, temperatures hovering around 10 degrees, so it's not too cold first thing. and rather a lot of cloud with this weather front sweeping off the atlantic, remember, pushed by that jet stream. a lot of showers through the morning and lunchtime across western areas, around the irish sea, into northern ireland. again, the further east you are, so closer to that north sea coast, the drier it will be. there might be some sunshine around. but i want to show you what's going to happen later on sunday afternoon and evening. the showers in the south really could be quite heavy, downpours moving through parts of wales, into the midlands and also through the peak district and into northern england, but clearing up towards the southwest later. now, monday, ithink the gaps between the showers will be bigger, but there'll still be plenty of showers around, so you'll need your brolly at some point or another, but at least we'll have the sunny spells.

how about the temperatures on monday? at best, 17 in the sunshine. most of us around about 15 or 16 degrees. so, that's monday. how about the week ahead? well, we talked about that potentially bad weather coming to the south, but look at this. by the end of the week, we'll see colder northerly winds developing across the uk. and look at that temperature drop — in london from 18 down to 12, cardiff from 17 to 11 degrees. so there's a real chill in the air coming in about a week's time. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines. lebanon is being rocked by massive explosions as israeli forces appear to seek out more his brother as israeli forces appear to seek out more hezbollah targets in the capital beirut. hezbollah continues to fire rockets into israel's north, some dodging defences and falling in areas which have already been evacuated. donald trump has returned to the site where he was grazed by an assassin's bullet. speaking from behind bullet—proof glass, he described the the would—be killer as a monster. he was joined on stage by one of his most prominent supporters — x owner and tech entrepreneur elon musk. and, as mpox has killed nearly 1,000 people this year, the democratic republic of congo has launched its first vaccination campaign in the east of the country. the programme will be extended across the region on monday.