it's understood the former msp collapsed after delivering a speech at an international conference in north macedonia. kamala harris has released her medical records ahead of the presidential election. following the disclosure, the democratic nominee accused donald trump of a lack of transparency over not releasing his own health records. and spacex prepares for a fifth test flight of its starship rocket — the largest flying object ever to take off from planet earth — in just over an hour. we will bring it to you here. good afternoon. king charles has lead tributes to scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, who's died suddenly at the age of 69. the king said mr salmond's "devotion to scotland drove his decades of public service".

the alba party founder and former snp leader is thought to have suffered a heart attack during a trip to north macedonia on saturday. there will be a post—mortem examination. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. in 300 years, no one came closer to ending scotland's union with england than alex salmond. this, in my estimation, has been the greatest campaign in scottish democratic history. a formidable political figure, who guided a party that for decades was on the fringes of politics, to the heart of power, changing the political landscape of the united kingdom, and delivering a referendum on independence. this is desperately sad news that alex salmond has died, and i extend my deepest condolences to his wife, moira, and to his family. this is a moment that individuals will reflect on the exceptional leadership and contribution that alex salmond has given to public life in scotland, with his service in the house of commons and in the scottish parliament,

and especially as the first minister of scotland. it was while studying economics at st andrews university that alex salmond joined the snp. he worked for a time as an oil economist, but politics soon exerted its pull. the mp for banff and buchan, alex salmond, has won the leadership of the scottish national party. mr salmond first led the snp in the 1990s. we are going to win the battle for the hearts and minds of the scottish people. cheering. but it was during his second stint that his party became a major political force. well, folks, it's, eh, it's good to be back. within three years the snp were in government in edinburgh. then in 2011, he pulled off a feat that was thought impossible, winning a majority at holyrood. alex salmond negotiated the referendum on independence with the then prime minister, david cameron. how dare they say that this country is not capable of running its own affairs?

cheering. he was an inescapable voice in the debate that followed, on the airwaves, and in towns and cities across scotland. in the end, the referendum result was no. alex salmond stepped down as first minister and leader of the snp... as leader my time is nearly over. later carrying on the fight for independence with a new political party, alba. and the dream shall never die. i was talking to somebody, it so happens, the other day who was telling me the story of alex as a 24—year—old sitting next to a colleague in the royal bank of scotland, outlining his strategy for achieving independence for scotland, and i think he thought about that every day of his life, since being a young man and nearly, nearly brought it to fruition. in more recent years there were controversies. he was cleared of sexual assault in 2020, and he also fell out with his protege and successor

as first minister, nicola sturgeon. in a statement, she said... the former mp and msp died after being taken ill in north macedonia. it's understood he collapsed after giving a speech. alex salmond led the snp to political dominance in scotland and pushed independence to the top of the agenda. an orator, strategist and campaigner whose voice travelled far beyond the boundaries of scotland. earlier i spoke to first minister of

scotland, john swinney. i asked him what he will remember most about alex salmond. he transformed the scottish national party from a party that was on the fringes of scottish politics to becoming the government of scotland. and then he took our country so incredibly close to scottish independence. i will remember him as a significant figure who transformed our politics and the opportunities for scotland to become an independent country. and, at this moment of his untimely death, i express my condolences to his wife, moira, and to his family at this very sad time. what was he like to work with personally? he was a driven individual. he had a very, you know, purposeful agenda that he was pursuing — whether that was about getting us to a position where we had greater electoral success, where we could win elections, and we won an election in 2007 for the first time under his leadership. so once we got into government, he was very

driven about serving the people of scotland and about advancing the arguments of independence. so, i certainly remember an individual who was incredibly driven around about his politics and our prospects, but also somebody who was a significant strategic thinker about how we would advance our agenda. and he did manage to do that, didn't he? because he took the snp from a small party into government. that's right. over the course of alex salmond's political career — he went into parliament in 1987 when the snp had three members of parliament. and over the course of the next few decades he led a team of us who got the snp into government in 2007, and we've been in government ever since. and of course, the electoral success that we experienced got us to a position whereby we were able to force the agenda on the constitutional question.

and we came very close to winning independence in the referendum in 2014. so, i think it is undeniable. and of course, this has come forward in all of the commentary that has been in the course of the last few hours, a recognition that alex salmond made a significant impact on the politics of scotland, the united kingdom and further afield, because of the effectiveness of the approach that he took. of course, in recent years he left the snp, set up the alba party, and of course had that rift with his successor as first minister, nicola sturgeon. all these things have taken place in what i would certainly accept has been a difficult few years and there were plenty of time to reflect on all of these issues. but i think at this moment it's undeniable that alex salmond

was a significant figure who transformed the politics of scotland and took our country incredibly close to becoming an independent country. and i think in the aftermath of all of that, there are generations of people in scotland today who believe in scottish independence, who believe that is the right way forward for our country. and what's important is that those of us who now take forward that argument have got to make sure that we deliver on that objective and transform the prospects of scotland as an independent country. finally, first minister, what will your abiding memory be of alex salmond? i can vividly remember driving to edinburgh the day after the 2007 election, and hearing alex speaking from edinburgh, where he had arrived, and essentially said that because we had won the election, scotland had changed and would change forever as a consequence.

and i rememberfeeling that at that moment, all of the the years of endeavour that we'd all put in had suddenly reached their fulfilment, because we had the opportunity to shape the future of our country in the way that we had never had before. and that's an extraordinary privilege that we are able to build on today. geoff aberdein was alex salmond's former chief of staff. he told me he had lost "a dearfriend and mentor." when we consider his time in office, for all the good and for all the rest of it, no one can take it from him that he was a substantial generational politician. was a substantial generational olitician. ., ., politician. how important was that 2014 referendum, - politician. how important was that 2014 referendum, that l politician. how important was - that 2014 referendum, that many people believe it was him that secured that with the prime minister, david cameron? that's riaht, in minister, david cameron? that's right. in the _ minister, david cameron? that's right, in the run _ minister, david cameron? that's right, in the run up— minister, david cameron? that's right, in the run up to _ minister, david cameron? that's right, in the run up to 2014 - minister, david cameron? that's right, in the run up to 2014 we . right, in the run up to 2014 we had the edinburgh agreement in

2012 that side the uk and scottish governments would respect the outcome of a referendum. that was quite a unique moment undoubtedly. he led that negotiation with the prime minister at that time. i must pay tribute to people like nicola sturgeon, there was three people there that was powerful, all very formidable politicians. but without alex's leadership to get that over line i don't think we would have necessarily had that referendum and had the victory that had the proportional system that was designed to stop that. without his leadership, i don't think that was possible.— leadership, i don't think that was possible. where does this leave scottish _ was possible. where does this leave scottish politics - was possible. where does this leave scottish politics n - leave scottish politics n particular the alba party, that he left the snp to set up? well, i think, he left the snp to set up?

well, ithink, i hope that he left the snp to set up? well, i think, i hope that his untimely death parks a bit more unity in the movement. i'm no longer involved in politics, i hope perhaps people will put away their differences and unite behind that cause. i was in the room when he put the final touches to his resignation speech. he said the dream of independence shall never die. well the dream is not dead and it is for others to keep it alive.— to keep it alive. what is the one abiding _ to keep it alive. what is the one abiding thing _ to keep it alive. what is the one abiding thing that - to keep it alive. what is the one abiding thing that you | to keep it alive. what is the i one abiding thing that you will remember him?— remember him? well, every sunday night _ remember him? well, every sunday night he _ remember him? well, every sunday night he would - remember him? well, every sunday night he would call. remember him? well, every l sunday night he would call me at 10 o'clock to discuss the agenda for the week ahead. you might think, a sunday night, nobody wants to do that. those conversations, invariably he started about football or horse racing or golf. i treasure those moments.

there are reports in the israeli media that the us is considering deploying an advanced missile defence system to israel. thaad — or terminal high altitude area defense — is a ground—based system, designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles. it's deployment would require american military personnel as well and the reports say a final decision on its use has not yet been made, but it would no doubt be a further shield against any further possible ballistic missile attack from iran. around 200 ballistic missiles were fired by iran into israel on october 1st and although — according to the idf most were intercepted some did get through. yaakov katz is the former editor of the jerusalem post — he explained the significance if the us does deploy this advanced system to israel.

it gives us the potential to defend ourselves from an iranian attack. most were intercepted. similar in style intercepted. similar in style in april when iran attacked for the first time. there are predictions that iran will again attack israel, especially if israel plans to retaliate against the iranian attack. and so the americans are saying we stand with our ally and will help israel defend itself. it would be a big move from president biden, particularly in the middle of a us election? it is a big move, not only is it, until now, they have

support ed israel and defended israel with assets in the region, whether aircraft or defence systems that are deployed in the persian gulf. now, this would be on the ground in israel with what we could call boots on the ground. it would require us troops to operate the system. that would be a significant step by the president and it would show two things. one is on the one hand to show israel here america stands with you and we have your back in case you are attacked by the iranians. but it also shows the iranians, hezbollah, hamas and other terrorist proxies that america is on the side of israel and if they attack israel, they will have to deal with the united states. that projection of power is no less important. [30 power is no less important. do ou power is no less important. do you think that we have got these reports in the israeli media that this is part of trying to send a message to iran? it

trying to send a message to iran? , , ., ., iran? it is definitely, a lot is about— iran? it is definitely, a lot is about signalling, - iran? it is definitely, a lot is about signalling, about| is about signalling, about showing each side what you are willing to do and how far you're willing to go. it shows the israeli, maybe you don't have to attack like you said you planned to, because america is here and we will protect you. it shows the iranians that evenif you. it shows the iranians that even if israel does attack you, we have israel's back. there is a lot of signalling involved in a lot of signalling involved in a deployment of a system like thaad. 0ne a deployment of a system like thaad. one of the more advanced systems that the americas have. this carries a strong message to people in the region. we are seeinu a to people in the region. we are seeing a graphic _ to people in the region. we are seeing a graphic of _ to people in the region. we are seeing a graphic of how- to people in the region. we are seeing a graphic of how the - seeing a graphic of how the system works. it is very advanced. the big question and we have the israeli cabinet meeting today, what is israel's next move going to be, against iran, following their missile attack? . .,

attack? iran has attacked israel twice _ attack? iran has attacked israel twice in _ attack? iran has attacked israel twice in the - attack? iran has attacked israel twice in the last. attack? iran has attacked| israel twice in the last six months, april and then a couple of weeks ago. israel has yet to retaliate for that recent attack and didn't retaliate for the original attack in april. it is important there be a response, iran has to learn that it cannot attack israel like this. iran thinks it can attack another country. until now it has used proxies, now their direct attack against israel, something that can never be tolerated. especially from a violent, rogue, terror—supporting regime. but the second part is that they have to be made to pay a price. the question is what is israel going to attack? there are a number of targets from a lot of speculation about their nuclear facilities and oil industry and refineries and maybe just straight up military targets

that belong to the islamic revolutionary guard. 0r that belong to the islamic revolutionary guard. or a mix between those three. there is a lot of options on the table. but israel has said clearly it does intend to attack iran. now some live pictures from the united states. this motorcade has president biden on board. because he is heading to florida. 0f because he is heading to florida. of course that was the area that has been hit by those two most recent hurricanes, milton and helene. he is expected to announce more than a billion dollars in fund to restore the power grids. during the course of the hurricanes, more than three million people and businesses are still without power in the wake of those storms. they left in

terms of milton 23 people died. the white house has declared a major disaster, releasing emergency funds. but this has turned into a political issue in the run up to the election in the run up to the election in november. mr biden expressed fears that misinformation about disaster relief will stop people getting support. he accused donald trump of spreading lies about the relief effort that has been going on. so, president biden making this trip to florida to re—enforce how much government support is being given. the federal support. the way the american states work, the states have their own emergency funds, when there is a disaster to this

level, it means the federal government national funds can be released and used in the areas where disasters the hit. we are expecting that he is going to announce about half a billion dollars in funding, in particular to restore the power grids. you can see the president going on to air force one. he will fly to florida and 0ne. he will fly to florida and to talk to some of the people who were affected by hurricanes milton and helen, the and announce more monday friday —— money from the federal funds. let's focus on the race to be the next president. kamala harris has challenged her rival donald trump to release his medical records,

to prove he's fit for the job. the vice—president was speaking after the white house published a medical report that says she is in "excellent health" and fit for the presidency. ms harris accused mr trump — who's 78 — and his team, of a lack of transparency for not disclosing his health records. it's just a further example of his lack of transparency. that on top of his unwillingness to debate again, his unwillingness to do an interview with 60 minutes, which again is part of the norm of what anyone running for president of the united states does. and i think that it's obvious that his team at least does not want the american people to see everything about who he is. donald trump's most detailed records came more than six years ago, in 2018. without revealing his health records, mr trump's team quoted his doctor as saying that he was in �*perfect and excellent health to be

commander in chief'. if elected in november, donald trump would be the oldest president in us history by the end of his term. the former president has been attending a rally in coachella in california — and he had his message for his supporters. look at this stuff. can you believe what we are doing? she's so bad, she is so bad. it can't happen. although the way things go in this country, i guess it probably could. that's why we want to build up a lead. we have got to build up that lead because such bad things... and we've got to do it and i don't want to keep saying it. too big to rig, i don't want to say it. she's imported an army of illegal alien gang members and migrant criminals from the dungeons of the third world. they come from the dungeons of the third world. and don't forget we have a special section online with all the very latest us election news in the run up to november's vote. it includes the very latest poll tracker which currently shows kamala harrisjust ahead

of donald trump in national poll. find out more on the bbc news website or app. spacex is about to launch its newest rocket. the launch could see the elon musk company attempt to return the rocket�*s boosters to their launch pad in what could be a major milestone. i'mjoined by what could be a major milestone. i'm joined by a senior lecturer at the university of central lancashire. thank you for joining us here. we expect this in the next hour. explain what we hope will happen.- in the next hour. explain what we hope will happen. yes, this is the fifth _ we hope will happen. yes, this is the fifth test _ we hope will happen. yes, this is the fifth test flight _ we hope will happen. yes, this is the fifth test flight of - is the fifth test flight of this rocket system. it is the biggest rocket that has been

launched from the surface of the earth. speech of the launches of this system have been a test flight, testing the system. the key aim as well as getting it off the launch pad through the staging, is to try and return that main section of the rocket body, the booster section, back to the launch pad. most rockets when they're launched, the booster system is disposed of in the ocean. what spacex are trying to do is build a reusable launch system so all parts can be reused and that will give them a huge edge over everyone else because it makes space travel cheaper. they have been trying to make their rockets as reusable as possible. that is the key test, can think bring that booster back to the launch pad and catch it in mid—air? that is quite a challenging thing to do

from an engineering point of view. ., from an engineering point of view. . , view. that booster is called sunerheavy. _ view. that booster is called superheavy, we _ view. that booster is called superheavy, we need - view. that booster is called superheavy, we need to - view. that booster is called l superheavy, we need to give people an idea of the scale of this thing. the starship is 120 metres tall? it this thing. the starship is 120 metres tall?— metres tall? it is, it is a really tall _ metres tall? it is, it is a really tall rocket. - metres tall? it is, it is a really tall rocket. if - metres tall? it is, it is a really tall rocket. if you | really tall rocket. if you think back to the days of apollo missions, this is taller and heavier and has a greater lift capacity than the saturn v. ~ lift capacity than the saturn v. . .., , lift capacity than the saturn v. we can see these live pictures _ v. we can see these live pictures that _ v. we can see these live pictures that spacex - v. we can see these live pictures that spacex are | pictures that spacex are feeding us of the actual launch site. with about 30 minutes to go. they have a team talk about this, which is white who you can see on screen. talk about these chop sticks that will try and catch the booster. to safely recover _ and catch the booster. trr safely recover the booster and what they tried before was bringing the booster back over the ocean, bringing it down so

it hovered over the ocean before it fell into the water. they're going to try and bring it back under its own power, slowing down towards the launch pad and then it will hover in such a position where these two arms, can catch it a bit like chop sticks is the description they're using. it will catch it in mid—airand they they're using. it will catch it in mid—air and they can lower to the ground. that is less risky than having it land under its own steam. they have got that sorted with other rockets and occasionally they have mishaps on landing, but they tend to do them at sea on a floating platform. trying to do this on the star base is risky, because it could destroy the launch pad and you can't launch again until you fix it. it is a very difficult thing to do and it there is a lot of damage that could be done if it goes wrong. that could be done if it goes wront. ., �* ., .,

that could be done if it goes wront. j ., ., , wrong. you're going to stay sta us wrong. you're going to stay stay us with _ wrong. you're going to stay stay us with i _ wrong. you're going to stay stay us with i know. - wrong. you're going to stay stay us with i know. we - wrong. you're going to stay. stay us with i know. we have less than 30 minutes until it takes off. we will come back to you in the next half an hour and we will have live coverage of that starship launch. now the weather. good afternoon. it was a colder start to this morning, many of our temperatures in low single figures, a bit of patchy frost and just the right amount of high cloud reflecting it is going to be chilly tonight. the rain arrives tonight, maybe the odd rumble of thunder in the south—west and wales. that will drive its way east. we keep some clearer skies in eastern scotland. monday will start off grey and

wet in east anglia. that drifts away. a lot of cloud left behind, northern england, northern ireland and scotland seeing the sunshine. temperatures generally around 10 to 14. but milder conditions starting to show their hand in the south west. and this milder air will start to arrive and push its way north. so the change of wind direction is going to bring a change to the feel of the weather. particularly through the middle of the week. on tuesday quite a lot of cloud. some sharper showers developing from the south—west. drifting their way north. a grey day. if we get some sunshine later on, temperatures may peak at around 16 or 17 degrees. but it is wednesday that we will see the winds strengthen further. still from the south. very mild source. but some very wet weather threatening on

wednesday. the details the still subject to change. you will need to watch the forecast for that. the heaviest rain will move north. eastern areas may see some sunshine. if that happens, we could see temperatures as high as 21 degrees. 70 fahrenheit. above the average for this time of year. temperatures which come down a touch and we keep some rain thursday into friday. 0n the whole this milder but unsettled theme is likely to continue as we go through the rest of the week.

live from london, this is bbc news. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says he has urged the un secretary general to remove peacekeeping forces from combat areas in lebanon. mr secretary general, get the unifil forces out of harm's way, it should be done right now immediately.

meanwhile israeli authorities say hezbollah continues to fire missiles towards northern israel — following the 300 missiles they say were fired on saturday. king charles leads tributes to scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, who died yesterday at the age of 69. kamala harris challenges her election rival donald trump to release his medical records to prove he's fit to become us president. and spacex prepares for a fifth test flight of its starship rocket — the largest flying object ever to take off from planet earth — any minute now. hello, i'm nicky schiller, welcome to the programme. israel's prime minister

benjamin netanyahu has urged the un secretary—general to