hello, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we start with some breaking news out of ukraine and russia has admitted that at least one ukrainian missile has hit the headquarters of russia's black sea navy in the crimean port of sevastopol on friday, causing a fire. that's according to a local governor. crimea, which russia seized and annexed from ukraine in 2014, has been a frequent target of ukrainian attacks in the course of the 19—month war. it is strategically incredibly significant as well and that's why we have seen ukraine refocus its efforts on crimea. it is a vital logistics hub for russia's war effort due to its location on the black sea and as i have mentioned,

the home of the black sea fleet as well. so we are seeing an aerial picture of sevastopol. but in recent weeks, ukraine focusing its efforts there and now we just have this news from a local governor and also from russia, admitting that at least one ukrainian missile has hit the headquarters of russia's plexi navy in crimea. more on that story very shortly. —— black sea navy. it comes as president zelensky arrived in canada, for the first time since russia's invasion, on an unannounced visit to thank canadians for their support. canada has been a firm ally of ukraine. here is president zelensky and his wife, olena, being welcomed by prime ministerjustin trudeau. there is full day of events, including talks with business leaders and members of the large ukrainian community in ukraine. ukrainian community.

he will also give a speech to the canadian parliament in ottawa. mr zelensky flew from washington where he held talks at the white house. president biden has approved security assistance for kyiv valued at $325 million. it includes upgrades to air defences, but not the long—range missiles president zelensky has been requesting. while in washington, president zelensky also spent time appealing to the us congress for more help. house speaker kevin mccarthy said he would not commit to putting a $24 billion aid package to a vote this year, shortly after meeting zelensky. but speaking at the us national archives, ukraine's president said continued support from the us was vital for the world. after ukraine, if we fall, half of europe would again be in danger of being in moscow's sphere of influence, but american investment in ukrainian security and global protection of freedom is working, 100%, every cent. applause

president zelensky. more on this later this our, just talking about what president zelensky has achieved in north america. mr zelensky�*s trip to north america is being closely followed back at home in ukraine — where the fighting continues, and the military�*s need for support is ongoing. with his analysis, here's our correspondent in kyiv, james waterhouse. president zelensky is enjoying a warm reception in canada, another loyal ally which has provided its own military support.— loyal ally which has provided its own military support. there is a sizeable ukrainian _ own military support. there is a sizeable ukrainian community l own military support. there is a| sizeable ukrainian community in own military support. there is a - sizeable ukrainian community in the country as well. but i think we are seeing ukraine's leader engage in quite a difficult period of diplomacy. he hasjust left the us, where he was warmly greeted by his counterpartjoe biden, but there are, there have been discreet meetings behind closed doors around

notably with republican politicians, where there is growing scepticism over what they see as a continued back check for ukraine —— blank cheque. and questions over what a ukrainian victory might look like. so while the reception is warm, there is a lot that president zelensky is needing to fight for. just look at the latest military package. it is not the 2a billion offering with missile upgrades he had hoped for, it is instead far less, around 350 million, which includes ammunition. but that is not what he was looking for. but i think more broadly, there is a test here. ukraine has always said, we will not be rushed in our counter—offensive, not least after they what —— lost a lot of men and equipment back in june when it started. but i think we're starting to see a direct link between progress on the battlefield and increased political scepticism. it is an incredibly difficult period, especially after a falling

out with another ally, poland, over grain. so president zelensky will be looking to change the tide a little bit. mark mackinnon is the senior international correspondent for the globe and mail and is in kyiv. he explained how president zelensky will be received by canadians. the hard truth is that canada doesn't have what mr zelensky is really hoping to get from the united states, which was atacms long—range missiles or anything of the sort, really. his visit to the us was a mixed success. i mean, he was welcomed by mr biden and there's a new package of military aid, as you mentioned, that's come forth. but it doesn't include the thing that ukraine has been saying it needs as its counter—offensive makes this very slow progress in the south and east of the country, which is the ability to strike far behind russian lines. canada. he'll be greeted as a hero by both sides of the house when he addresses the house of commons today in ottawa. there's not much of a divide in canada, unlike in the united states, over support for ukraine. at least, we haven't seen it yet.

but at the end of the day, i was speaking to mr zelensky�*s office earlier this week and they don't really have a big ask from canada. this is very much a trip to say thank you. i'm sure mr trudeau will make some announcements about further military aid, but canada simply doesn't have the military material that ukraine needs to to make progress in its counteroffensive. more on ukraine's counter—offensive coming up. let's bring you some other stories now. the bbc is investigating a claim that comedian russell brand exposed himself to a woman and then joked about the incident on his bbc radio 2 show. it's alleged to have happened in 2008 in los angeles. the woman did not work for the bbc, but was employed in the building where the presenter, who's denied any wrongdoing, recorded his show. graham satchell reports. russell brand is facing a series of sexual assault allegations, including rape and emotional abuse. the latest is said to have happened in this building in los angeles in 2008, where the broadcaster was recording an episode of his radio 2 programme.

a woman, who the bbc is calling 0livia, claims brand exposed himself to her in this bathroom. brand then laughed about the alleged incident minutes later on his show with his co—host, matt morgan. what made the bbc think that was appropriate to go out like that? ijust don't understand why they didn't investigate this much sooner, given the raunchy, outrageous bits. in a statement, the bbc said... russell brand's co—presenter at the time, matt morgan, has also issued a statement. he says...

it's the russell brand show, and here's your host, i am! the latest claims follow an investigation by the sunday times and channel 4's dispatches programme, in which four women allege they were sexually assaulted by russell brand between 2006 and 2013. he has denied those claims, but has not responded to this latest allegation. graham satchell, bbc news. live now to colin patterson, who is outside new broadcasting house. so many questions for the bbc to answer. ~ , ,., y so many questions for the bbc to answer. ~ , ,., , , so many questions for the bbc to answer. ~ , , , . , answer. absolutely, this incident is alle . ed to answer. absolutely, this incident is alleged to have _ answer. absolutely, this incident is alleged to have taken _ answer. absolutely, this incident is alleged to have taken place - answer. absolutely, this incident is alleged to have taken place in - answer. absolutely, this incident is| alleged to have taken place in 2008 and what has now emerged is in 2019, it was reported to bbc bosses, who did not act on it at the time. and today, the head of the union that looks after behind the scenes in the media industry, philippa childs is the boss of bectu and said the bbc should have acted in 2019 and if

they did so, could have saved a lot of trouble and presented —— prevented that situation we are in at the moment. the bbc say the allegations will be included in the inquiry under way looking at the behaviour of russell brand when he was a bbc radio presenter between 2006 and 2008. they are asking if the woman who has made the allegations in la will speak to them and they say they want to speak to people working in the la bureau at the time in 2008. we have to say that russell brand has denied all the allegations and says any sexual relationships he had were consensual.— relationships he had were consensual. ., ~ . consensual. thank you so much. our to sto consensual. thank you so much. our tap story and — consensual. thank you so much. our top story and breaking _ consensual. thank you so much. our top story and breaking news. - consensual. thank you so much. our top story and breaking news. an - top story and breaking news. an update for you. the governor of crimea's largest eu trait has warned there could be another ukrainian aerial attack, there could be another ukrainian aerialattack, he there could be another ukrainian aerial attack, he says it could be imminent and aerial attack, he says it could be imminentand he aerial attack, he says it could be imminent and he has warned everyone not to go into the city centre —— lodge estate. this is after there

has been an attack on the black sea fleet. significant because of the strategically important nature of sevastopol. let's take your life to justin with his analysis, as we look at pictures, an aerial picture of sevastopol. can i start by asking why it is so strategically important?— why it is so strategically imortant? . , . , , important? crimea is incredibly s mbolic important? crimea is incredibly symbolic for— important? crimea is incredibly symbolic for both _ important? crimea is incredibly symbolic for both sides, - important? crimea is incredibly symbolic for both sides, this i important? crimea is incredibly symbolic for both sides, this is | symbolic for both sides, this is where this issue started between ukraine and russia nearly ten years ago. and it is probably a pivot of ukrainian strategy that they have made it, they want to recover the peninsula and certainly make it untenable for russia to remain there in a strategic context. but maybe more importantly, the importance of sevastopol as a naval base for russia has been demonstrated both by the russian desire to hold the peninsula and use it has made of the base during operation so far. and of course, the black sea fleet is a big component in the strikes against

ukrainian cities launching calibre cruise missiles from the fleet that is present in the black sea in particular, so striking back is both practicalfor particular, so striking back is both practical for ukraine, strategically important and highly symbolic as they wage a struggle against moscow. the ambition of the ukrainians be to isolate the peninsula and make it harder and complicating things in the russian war effort from there? very much so. it is sending a message to russia that the peninsula is under threat. it is not a secure bastian for russia. and of course at the moment, in fact really for over a year now, they have been targeting the fleet headquarters and targeting the fleet headquarters and targeting the vessels, they have used a variety of means to do that, they have targeted air defences and logistics lines through the peninsula. most prominently, the kerch bridge and the peninsula into zaporizhzhia and kherson in the north, as part of a pattern to make it painful for russia to hold and

show it is not secure. the point of the ground operation in northern zaporizhzhia whether ukrainians are making progress is to bring crimea more in weapons range by the ukrainians, so it is all a large focus on that area.- ukrainians, so it is all a large focus on that area. managing to strike the headquarters - focus on that area. managing to strike the headquarters of - focus on that area. managing to i strike the headquarters of russia's black sea fleet makes a very good headline how much do you think this helps president zelensky as he is in north america at the moment trying to rally support? north america at the moment trying to rally smart?— to rally support? anything by ukraine that _ to rally support? anything by ukraine that shows _ to rally support? anything by ukraine that shows they - to rally support? anything by ukraine that shows they are l ukraine that shows they are continuing to bring the fight to russia, that they are holding a line in the fights, that they have a realistic chance of success in their strategic goals in the war is obviously useful. i would say more practically useful weather strikes us week that destroyed a landing ship which is very important to the russians at the moment logistically supplying crimea and also one of their missiles are carrying submarines and losing those assets is properly more painfulfor than a strike on the headquarters, more symbolic at this point, but

nonetheless, it shows ukraine can continue to strike at the very heart of russia's presents in the area. and anything like this helps the organ of zelensky that ukraine needs continued support and continued investment —— helps the cause of zelensky. to persuade the russians they cannot drag out this conflict and hope for western supporters to give in and end in a negotiation. it sends a message ukraine can win and people in ukraine of course will always say ukraine can win. always aet aet always say ukraine can win. always get get your— always say ukraine can win. always get get your analysis, _ always say ukraine can win. always get get your analysis, thank - always say ukraine can win. always get get your analysis, thank you i always say ukraine can win. always get get your analysis, thank you so j get get your analysis, thank you so much. —— always good to get your analysis. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. labour has pledged to give more powers to the independent economic watchdog if it wins the next election. to prevent re—occurrence of the ill—fated budget of liz truss. the plans mean the office for budget responsibility would have to work with ministers on any tax and spending changes. the government said labour was on a "destructive path" towards increased borrowing

and higher inflation. new images of sara sharif have been released by surrey police, as part of a fresh appeal for information on the ten—year—old's death. herfather, stepmother and uncle have all been charged with murder following their return from pakistan last week. police said the images show sara the way officers believe she may have dressed in the months prior to her death. the uk's largest food bank provider says government cost—of—living payments only give temporary relief to those in need. the trussell trust says the money helps for several weeks at most, leading to only a short—term dip in demand for food banks. the government maintains the payments are delivering "quick and much—needed help" to millions of low—income households. you're live with bbc news. let's go to the states now, where police have found a large quantity of fentanyl and other drugs hidden under a trapdoor of a nursery in the bronx in new york. these photos show bags filled with enough drugs to kill

half a million people. police had been tipped off about the stash after one—year—old nicholas dominici died of a suspected drug overdose last friday while at the nursery. three other children were admitted to hospital after being exposed to the powerful drug. the nursery�*s owner and her tenant have been charged with running a drug operation resulting in death and face lifetime in prison. we allege that the defendants poisoned four babies, and killed one of them, because they were running a drug operation from a daycare centre. a daycare centre. a place where children should be kept safe, not surrounded by a drug that could kill them in an instant. when law enforcement officers searched the daycare, they found a large quantity of fentanyl, and machinery used to press and package narcotics for distribution. in particular, they found a brick of fentanyl, about one kilogram in weight, right on top of children's playmats in the daycare's closet. the drug that killed the baby, fentanyl, is a synthetic painkiller

that has ravaged the us. it's 50 times more powerful than heroin. in 2010, fewer than 40,000 people died from a drug overdose across the country and less than 105 of those were tied to fentanyl. by 2021, it's a different picture, with 100,000 people dying from a drug overdose and an estimated 66% of those tied to fentanyl. the case has shocked many in the us. let's get more on the story with jared hill in new york. it isa it is a really shocking story and there is now an active criminal case. what is the latest on that? that's right, this is something people could not really imagine happening here. a one—year—old dying in a day care because there was fentanyl being kept inside that facility. what we are learning here is that is another court date set up for october the 5th for the two people so far in custody. police are also still looking for a third

person. the husband of this daycare owner, and there are questions, at least according to law enforcement, about whether she had helped him to escape after all this happened. remember, what we are learning here according to the new york police department is when all this happened, she apparently made three phone calls. two to her husband and one to 911, to the law enforcement, to get them to come and check on these children who are unresponsive. they also are questioning here whether she helped him to escape at some point. because there is apparently evidence he went into the daycare facility before law enforcement got there and left with duffel bags full of something. what thatis, duffel bags full of something. what that is, they don't know. where he went, they also don't know yet. back to ou. went, they also don't know yet. back to yom thank— went, they also don't know yet. back to yom thank you — went, they also don't know yet. back to you. thank you so _ went, they also don't know yet. back to you. thank you so much. anti—government protests are again taking place

in the armenian capital, yerevan, amid anger over azerbaijan's defeat this week of ethnic—armenian separatists in the enclave of nagorno—karabakh. for a third day, opposition groups are calling for the resignation of the prime minister. it comes after the two sides held peace talks yesterday. the territory is recognised internationally as part let's get more on this with our correspondent in tbilisi, rayhan demytrie. what is happening in nagorno—karabakh at the moment? well, so far, it appears the ceasefire is holding. although earlier today, we heard a statement from azerbaijan's presidential adviser, who said azerbaijan was preparing to offer an amnesty for 22 armenian fighters who agreed to lay down their arms. that announcement came, according to azerbaijan, amidst reports that some military

units, karabakh military units, have refused to lay down their arms and they pledged to continue their resistance to azerbaijani forces. the humanitarian situation is really critical and difficult in the regional capital, stepanakert. thousands of people displaced by this conflict since azerbaijani forces took control of some of those villages close to the front line, so those people spent a night in schools, churches, very little food. although today, azerbaijan says it has sent several trucks with humanitarian aid, mainly food supplies. humanitarian aid, mainly food su lies. �* , humanitarian aid, mainly food su--lies. �* , , ~ supplies. and every day this week, we have seen _ supplies. and every day this week, we have seen protests _ supplies. and every day this week, we have seen protests taking i supplies. and every day this week, j we have seen protests taking place in yerevan, some have got a little violence, we saw stun grenades early in the week. definitely scuffles. there is a lot of anger there. can you explain to us why there is that level of anger and what the protests are about? ~ , ., , , are about? well, the protests in yerevan are _

are about? well, the protests in yerevan are mainly, _ are about? well, the protests in yerevan are mainly, people i are about? well, the protests in yerevan are mainly, people are | yerevan are mainly, people are really angry at the prime minister nikol pashinyan for handling this crisis, they are demanding his resignation. they are demanding to open up a humanitarian corridor for karabakh armenians, so that those who want to flee can come to armenia. we were getting mixed messages actually from the armenian authorities. so yesterday, the armenian prime minister said that he didn't see any threat to the security of karabakh armenians, but nevertheless, armenia was prepared to receive up to 40,000 refugees. he said places were already ready. going back to the protests in yerevan, that anger is also aimed at russia. a lot of people in russia feel that —— armenia feel that russia betrayed them, that karabakh is lost. and this is an extremely painful issue for many armenians because they consider it their historic homeland.—

because they consider it their historic homeland. . ~ , ., . historic homeland. thank you so much for the update — historic homeland. thank you so much for the update from _ historic homeland. thank you so much for the update from tbilisi. _ let's get an update from libya now and the efforts to help people affected by the devastating floods after storm daniel brought torrential rain which caused two dams to collapse. it's been hard to get precise figures on the number of people affected. the official death toll stands at more than 3,300, but some international aid groups say the real number could be as high as 10,000. the international organisation for migration says an estimated 43,000 people have been displaced by the floods, with a lack of water supply driving people out of derna, the worst—affected city. let's ta ke let's take you live now to france and bordeaux. we have been following the state visit of king charles and queen camilla and the crowds have gathered in the sunshine for their arrival.

they are in bordeaux today for the final day of this visit. i may change very much on the agenda of the visit today. they will be discussing this with many people in the south of france and we will keep you across developments from there. when we see them appear, we will take you live to the south of france. an eight—year—old girl has become the first child in the uk to become the first child in the uk to become a kidney transplant receiver without a lifetime of drugs to stop her body rejecting the organ. she received both the kidney and stem cells from her mother, reprogramming her body's immune system to accept the organ as her own. here is our medical editor. aditi's health has been transformed by a double transplant, thanks to her mum and a team

at great 0rmond street hospital in london. she has an extremely rare genetic condition, which weakened her immune system and meant her kidneys were failing. so doctors took an unusual approach. first, aditi had a bone marrow transplant, using stem cells from her mum. this rebuilt aditi's immune system. six months later, she had a kidney transplant, again donated by her mother and her immune system accepted the organ as her own. her immune deficiency had to be corrected by having mum's bone marrow first, and because aditi was able to engraft and accept her mum's bone marrow, that therefore meant that her body could then see her mum's kidney when it was transplanted as being part of her. within weeks of the transplant, aditi was taken off immunosuppression, which means she doesn't risk the long—term side effects of these powerful drugs, which usually have to be taken daily to prevent organ rejection. the family is delighted.

ifeel so happy, actually, as i then... i've given the blood cells and the kidney. so happy. yes, of course. i feel perfectly 0k, yes. i'm so proud of her. and she is amazing. she's doing very fine each and every day. and most of the support, i would say, is from her side. because if she was someone who was bogged down by the procedures, or what she listens to on the ward, it could have been much more difficult for us. 0n the other hand, she was the one who was actually more outgoing. aditi is back at school and both her immune system and transplanted kidney are working normally. the procedure is unlikely to be widely used, as the double transplant carries increased risks to the patient. fergus walsh, bbc news. lovely news for her and her family. let's take you back to france, bordeaux, and we have live pictures

of king charles and queen camilla meeting the crowds in the south western city, they will visit an organic vineyard today and a forest being studied for the effects of climate change. and we will have more throughout the day. hello there. we've got a largely fine start to the day across many parts of the uk with some sunny spells, but showers have already been gathering towards northern and western areas and we've seen a few rainbows already from our weather watchers this morning as those showers pass through. if we look at the satellite image, we can see today's weather is linked in with a swirl of cloud here. sunny spells and showers. saturday's weather is this clearer spot, and then this is sunday's weather — a period of wet and windy weather on its way. but for the rest of today, showers continuing towards northern and western areas. those will drift their way towards the south and the east. all of us at some point this afternoon catching a shower.

there will be some strong winds in the north—east of scotland, some gales here. maximum temperatures generally getting up to about 14 to 18 degrees celsius. it will feel quite fresh in that rather brisk north—westerly wind. through tonight, we've got this ridge of high pressure moving in. that ridge means basically that the air is descending in the atmosphere. it clears the moisture, so the showers disappear, the cloud breaks up and there will be some clear spells. that will allow temperatures to fall away — three or four celsius in central areas of scotland, even down in the capital, temperatures in single figures. so a chilly, but a sunny start to your weekend. yes, there will be one or two showers around norfolk and suffolk. those generally clearing away. lots of sunshine for many of us, but the cloud will increase across northern ireland, west wales and the far south—west of england late in the day — a few spots of rain here, as well. temperatures 14, maybe 18 degrees — pretty similar to today. as we go into the second half of the weekend, on sunday, we're going to see this quite deep area of low pressure. this will contain the remnants of hurricane nigel. so the white lines there,

the isobars, close together, winds strengthening and these weather fronts bringing some outbreaks of rain. that rain particularly heavy across parts of wales, northern ireland, the isle of man, up into scotland, as the afternoon goes on. gales around these irish sea coasts, as well. towards the midlands, eastern and south—eastern areas of england, however, it's looking mostly dry and there will be some sunshine around, as well. temperatures for many of us on sunday up a little bit — 18 to 20 degrees celsius — with a south—westerly wind. it's that south—westerly wind that will keep temperatures around about 18 to 23 degrees throughout the week ahead, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers.

this is bbc news. the headlines: roger acknowledges at least one ukrainian missile has hit sebastopol. president zelensky has made a surprise visit to canada. police in new york find large qualities of fentanyl at a nursery and it follows the death of a one—year—old boy. these are live pictures from bordeaux. the king and queen are wrapping up their state visit to france.

a rocket prepares to deliver what scientists hope will be the secrets of how life began on earth. russia has admitted that at least one ukrainian miss alice at the headquarters of its black sea navy in sevastopol and has caused the fire. the governor has urged residents to avoid the city centre and stay involved. crimea has been a frequent target of ukrainian attacks in the course of the war. we just have some latest news from sevastopol for you. the air alert is over, but people are being told to avoid the city centre. the message is that a number of special operations are in progress.