�* pledge to try party has made a major pledge to try to win over new parents. hello, i'm rich preston. ukraine says russian commanders were among those injured in friday's missile strikes on the headquarters of russia's black sea fleet in occupied crimea. the building in sevastopol appears to have been hit by at least two missiles, causing extensive damage. there are reports that the missiles used were storm shadow missiles — supplied by britain and france. it comes as reports in us media suggest america is planning to give ukraine more advanced, longer—range missiles to help with its ongoing counteroffensive against russia. i spoke to dr kirill shamiev, who is a russian political scientist and a visiting fellow with the wider europe programme at the european council on foreign relations. if the claims that the attack has resulted in the death of senior russian officers,

that would be a significant blow to the russian commanding control structures because it is very dependent on its officers. but i haven't seen any official or nonofficial confirmation from public sources that i have been reading. again, if these claims are true, that would be significant for the ukrainians because obviously the russian officers navy headquarters were relocated underground, so they had to bring them to the headquarters higherfloors in order to kill those officers. we are expecting russia's foreign minister to speak in the next hour or so in new york where he has been at the united nations general assembly. do you think he will comment on this strike? what do you expect the russian reaction might be? perhaps we can expect three narratives.

first of all, russia has so—called red lines that the west shouldn't cross but we haven't seen any evidence that russia significantly retaliates, for example, attacks on crimea. secondly, it would be about appealing to the global southern audience, showing again the disinformation about the colonial nature of the war and how russia fights for the people in the global south. third, perhaps i would expect they would try to again play on the divisions within the european union, copy some of the narratives of hungary or poland when it comes to ukrainian policies towards ethnic minorities. you talk about red lines in this conflict. this comes amid reports, which have not been confirmed by washington officials, that america is going to supply longer range missiles to ukraine, so—called attacker missiles which have a range of

about 300 kilometres. what significance does that have if it turns out to be true for the conflict? if it turns out to be true, it will again be an additional benefit to the ukrainian military capabilities. they will be able to strike russian helicopter or airfields in occupied areas but also in russia. they would be able to use it to attack repair facilities so that would complicate russia's war effort against ukraine. when it comes to some kind of retaliation for the delivery of these weapons it boils down to the single decision of vladimir putin. so far, again, when it comes to crossing these red lines, putin has not conducted anything that we would expect him to do as again this allegation, that what they promised to do or tried to promise to do

before in the conflict. former prime minister boris johnson has warned the uk government against scaling back the high speed rail project hs2, amid speculation part of the route could be scrapped. the criticism comes as dozens of company bosses and business groups in england have signed a letter urging prime minister rishi sunak to re—commit to the high—speed railway. costs around hs2 have increased significantly and are now well above its original budget of £33bn, which was set a decade ago when work on the line began. noor nanji reports. it's a massive, decades—long project, meant to create more capacity and speed up journey times. but hs2 has also been plagued by delays, cuts and spiralling costs. it's not the first section, between west london and birmingham, that is in question today. that's due to open by 2033. a central london terminus at euston

is meant to come later, although work on that has been paused. but question marks hang over the line that is meant to link the west midlands and crewe before heading on to manchester. an eastern leg is also planned, but this has already been scaled back. recently, the prime minister, rishi sunak, and chancellorjeremy hunt have not been willing to say that they are committed to hs2 being built to manchester, casting fresh doubt over the project's future. labour's shadow chancellor rachel reeves has also refused to commit. now dozens of business leaders in groups including manchester airport's group, british land, virgin money and the northern powerhouse have all signed a letter calling for clarification and renewed commitment to hs2. the letter expresses deep concern over the constant uncertainty of the project, adding that repeated mixed signals are damaging the uk's reputation as a place to do business. and i hope the prime minister takes the weekend to reflect on being a northern mp and what he should be putting first,

the future of the country or the short—term interests of the conservative party. because former tory leaders and britain's leading business people are all telling him he needs to think again before he makes what might be his worst decision is prime minister. today, the chair of the national infrastructure commission warned against truncating the line. the importance of this railway line is that it connects the three principal cities in britain, london, birmingham and manchester. it's a significant part of the government's levelling up agenda. it has already creating big opportunities in birmingham. it will do the same in manchester and across the north west, it will link into the government's new railway which it's planning to build between manchester and leeds. this is a fundamental part of levelling up, and to stop it now would be a tragedy. former prime minister borisjohnson has also weighed in, urging the government against building a "mutilated" version of hs2. on thursday, the chancellor insisted no decisions had been made. but once again, the route ahead for hs2 seems uncertain.

noor nanji, bbc news. in his first public statement since allegations of rape and sexual assault were made against him, russell brand has thanked his fans for their support and criticised news outlets, the government, and tech companies. in the video posted on youtube, he didn't address the claims, but has previously said his relationships were "always consensual". simonjones reports. hello there, you awakening wonders! back on obviously, it's been an extraordinary and distressing week, and i thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you've been presented with. july 1st, 2012, was when my rape happened. this week, russell brand faced allegations of rape and sexual assault following claims by four women made in an investigation by channel four�*s dispatches and the sunday times, claims he had previously denied. he insisted his relationships had

always been consensual. the bbc also heard from one woman who said in 2008, in this building in los angeles, where russell brand was recording his radio 2 programme, he allegedly exposed himself to her in a bathroom beforejoking about the incident minutes later on air. and one comedian who worked with russell brand in the early 2000 said he had had concerns about his behaviour, claims mr brand has not responded to. a lot of the modelling | agents would sit down and tell their models, - tell their stables, warn them about him. things like, you know, - people go back to his house and they fooled around and then if they didn'tl want to go all the way, _ he had a reputation for sometimes getting angry or a bit nasty if people wouldn't sleep i with him the first time. youtube has now suspended russell brand's channels from making money from adverts for violating its creator responsibility policy. the culture, media and sport committee had expressed concerns about mr brand

being able to monetise his content, something the comedian hits out at on his latest video. by now, you're probably aware that the british government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and that some online platforms have complied with that request. in this three—minute video, russell brand does not directly address the allegations he's been facing, but he does talk about what he calls "media corruption and collusion". the bbc has made several requests to speak to mr brand over the past week, but he has chosen to talk directly to his followers on social media rather than facing outside scrutiny. russell brand says he'll post another video on monday as investigations into his alleged behaviour continue. simon jones, bbc news. the international red cross says it's managed to deliver seventy tonnes of relief aid to the disputed

enclave nagorno karabakh — for the first time since azerbaijan captured the territory in a lightning operation five days ago. tens of thousands of armenians have sought refuge in the main city stepanakert, where food and medicine are running low, and power cuts are frequent. live now to rayhan demytrie, who is our correspondent in the south caucasus and central asia. good evening to youthere in georgia. what the _ good evening to youthere in georgia. what the latest? the good evening to youthere in georgia. what the latest?— what the latest? the latest is that humanitarian _ what the latest? the latest is that humanitarian aid _ what the latest? the latest is that humanitarian aid is _ what the latest? the latest is that humanitarian aid is reaching - humanitarian aid is reaching nagorno—karabkh. 0n humanitarian aid is reaching nagorno—karabkh. on top of that, help from the red cross, a0 tonnes of humanitarian aid sent from azerbaijan yesterday, plus two trucks full of bread. also azerbaijan says it has set up tent cities to treat those who are wounded, to provide them with first

aid. but i think the question now for many ethnic armenians is whether or not they will be allowed to leave the territory. there is no talks of opening any humanitarian corridor for now. azerbaijan says they are doing everything to ensure that this reintegration process goes smoothly but given that these two communities lived in a state of conflict and they are sworn enemies for decades, there is very little trust on behalf of armenians that this reintegration will go smoothly.— will go smoothly. meanwhile, azerbaijan — will go smoothly. meanwhile, azerbaijan says _ will go smoothly. meanwhile, azerbaijan says it _ will go smoothly. meanwhile, azerbaijan says it is _ will go smoothly. meanwhile, azerbaijan says it is working | will go smoothly. meanwhile, i azerbaijan says it is working with russia to look for demilitarisation. what do we know about that? that was art of the what do we know about that? that was part of the ceasefire _ what do we know about that? that was part of the ceasefire agreement - what do we know about that? that was part of the ceasefire agreement that i part of the ceasefire agreement that the armenian forces would lay down

their arms and this process is happening. we are hearing regular reports from the russian peacekeeping contingent that is deployed to nagorno—karabakh three years ago and this process is going smoothly. however, for the local population there are fears, genuine huge fears that their husbands and sons and there are many of them who fought in wars with azerbaijan, but they will be arrested or persecuted by azerbaijan. a, they will be arrested or persecuted by azerbaijan-— by azerbai'an. a us senator has called for by azerbaijan. a us senator has called for international - by azerbaijan. a us senator has. called for international observers to be given access to the area. what is the picture in nagorno—karabakh? where is our information coming from and who is on the ground? there where is our information coming from and who is on the ground?— and who is on the ground? there are no independent _ and who is on the ground? there are no independent or— and who is on the ground? there are no independent or international - no independent or international media because access is now controlled by azerbaijan. i know that some attempts are being made to allow international media to

nagorno—karabakh but so far we're getting information from some local journalists the and despite the regular power cuts and all the difficulties, they are able to provide some information about the current situation and according to their descriptions, the situation is critical and many people simply want to leave if they can. ilint" to leave if they can. our correspondence - to leave if they can. our correspondence in - to leave if they can. our correspondence in the l to leave if they can. 0ur correspondence in the caucasus, in neighbouring georgia, thank you. now it's time for a look at today's sport with hugh ferris. hello from the bbc sport centre. we've reached the stage of the rugby world cup where quarter final places could be won and plane tickets home might well be booked too. and with this pivotal weekend comes the biggest match of the tournament so far, the top two in the world meet later on saturday in paris, as both ireland and south africa will attempt to take control of their pool, as andy swiss reports. it's paris, but it feels

like dublin in disguise. at corcoran's bar by the moulin rouge ireland's fans are already flocking for what is the match of the tournament so far. so are they confident they'll beat south africa? well, just a little. i think ireland have a great chance and fair play to them. we are the best team. we are number one in the world and we'll win the world cup. i think they're going to win,100%. you have to be confident, number one in the world. | cheering. cheers! tonight's match might be a group game, but it feels more like a final. ireland are the six nations champions, but south africa, of course, are the world champions after their triumph in 2019. well, so far ireland have been unstoppable at this world cup. in their first two games, they scored some iai points, but they know their title credentials are about to face the very toughest test.

no, it's not a must win. it's not a must win. it's not a do or die type of game. but it's pretty important to both teams, let's put it that way. it's a big day for the farrell family, with andy's son 0wen returning to captain england. they're up against chile, the lowest ranked team in the tournament. but they know there's no room for complacency. you've got a group of lads that are wanting to go and add to what we've already done. two good wins so far, but we're not underestimating the opposition. for chile's players it will be the match of their lives but england know victory in lille in the quarterfinals will be beckoning. the early game of the day at the rugby world cup involved two teams in niether of the pools we've just been discussing and we've our first drwa of the tournament. portugal were a kick away from a first win in world cup history but missed it,

and it finished 18—all in toulouse. champions manchester city scored twice in the first 15 minutes of their premier league match against nottingham forest as they attempt to continue their perfect start to the season. they are now down to ten men in that match after rodri was shown a red card in the opening seconds of the second half. wolves are also down to ten men but lead at luton town who are looking for their first points of the season and it's also crystal palace zero, fulham zero. later everton and burnley will attempt to win for the first time this season. the usa have led europe ever since the first morning's matches at the solheim cup but that could be changing in the next couple of hours in spain. as things stand the home team are up in all four of the second afternoon's fourballs. the us has a 7—5 advantage overall after the foursomes earlier were shared 2 each. normal service has been resumed in formula one, with runaway leader max verstappen securing pole for the japanese grand prix, after his blip last weekend in singapore. the red bull driver was over half

a second clear of the impressive 0scar piastri in second with mclaren team—mate lando norris in third place. red bull could secure the constructor�*s championship this weekend. a shadow england team have set ireland 335 to win the second one day internatoinal of their series. four players are making their england debuts in the format with those selected for next month's world cup being rested. one of them is sam hain. he scored 89, while willjacks got even closer to a century, making 9a in a score of 33a for eight in their 50 overs. ireland are 93—3 in reply. meanwhile, in a match that does serve as a legitimate world cup warm up, bangladesh are chasing 255 to beat new zealand in mirpur. with just over ten overs to go they are 159—8. and that's all the sport for now.

president xijinping is presiding over the opening the asian games in the eastern city chinese city of hangzhou. security has been tightened around the stadium where the ceremony is taking place. leaders from asia and the middle east are in attendance. they include syrian leader bashar assad. earlier he met with president xi with the two countries announcing a new strategic partnership. mr assad is visiting china for the first time since civil war erupted in syria 12 years ago. but western nations refuse to engage with syria whilst assad is still in charge, with the us saying there no plans to �*normalise relations�*. mr assad is looking to bolster his presence on the world stage after attending an arab league summit in may. the games themselves are the biggest sporting event china

has hosted in more than a decade. more than 12,000 competitors from a5 nations will take part. they include a contingent of athletes from north korea. the bbc has learned that the government has disbanded a taskforce that was set up to improve energy efficiency in homes. ministers wrote to the group yesterday saying its work would be "streamlined" into ongoing government activity. on thursday rishi sunak announced he was scrapping energy efficiency regulations for landlords, as part of an overhaul of green policies. social care reforms will be at the centre of the liberal democrats�* offer to voters as the party�*s autumn conference begins in bournemouth on the southcoast of england. free social care in england, help for families in the cost of living and increased pay and time off for parental leave are expected to be announced by party leader ed davey,

who is hoping to build on a string of recent by—election successes in traditionally conservative constutuencies. live now to our political correnspondent peter saull. peter, what has been happening today? peter, what has been happening toda ? ., . , ., peter, what has been happening toda? ., . , , today? conference season is well under way- _ today? conference season is well under way. the _ today? conference season is well under way. the sun _ today? conference season is well under way. the sun is _ today? conference season is well under way. the sun is shining - today? conference season is well. under way. the sun is shining here, pretty reflective of the liberal democrat mood. they have had some notable successes over the past couple of years and they are looking to take that forward in the next general election. ed davey was in jovial mood when he arrived a short while ago, riding a bicycle and spoke to bbc news. well, we are firing the starting gun for the next general election. the party's in great heart after so many by—election victories in tory heartlands, showing that in large parts of the country, it is the liberal democrats who are the ones who can beat the conservatives. so party members are very buoyant, as you've seen, and we are looking forward to lively debates.

we will be debating our pre—manifesto. the only party putting forward a draft manifesto this early on, to set out our vision. we want a fair deal for the british people, and we are going to focus on the economy, and particularly on the health service. we want to give people a much better health service and a better care system too. this conference is only a few hours old but already some big announcements from the liberal democrats. they say that were they to get into government, they would ensure everyone would get free personal care in the home. they say this would reduce the burden on the nhs and care homes, and also a major offering ad brand—new parents. a doubling of parental pay from its current level of £170 a week to £350 a week and to discuss that further, i am joined by the liberal democrats education spokesperson. can you tell

us about this offering you have got on early years? i us about this offering you have got on early years?— on early years? i am really delighted _ on early years? i am really delighted that _ on early years? i am really delighted that through - on early years? i am reallyj delighted that through this on early years? i am really - delighted that through this weekend we are _ delighted that through this weekend we are going to be setting out a really— we are going to be setting out a really bold and innovative agenda around _ really bold and innovative agenda around children, young people and families— around children, young people and families because we see spending on children— families because we see spending on children as _ families because we see spending on children as an investment in this country's — children as an investment in this country's future as well as children's potential. 0n shared parental— children's potential. 0n shared parental leave, what we want to do is make _ parental leave, what we want to do is make sure all families have a genuine — is make sure all families have a genuine choice and flexibility about when _ genuine choice and flexibility about when they go back to work, whether they spend — when they go back to work, whether they spend more time at home with their children. at the moment, so many— their children. at the moment, so many parents, both mums and dads cannot_ many parents, both mums and dads cannot afford to do that because maternity — cannot afford to do that because maternity pay is at such a low tevet — maternity pay is at such a low level. what we want to do is boost that, _ level. what we want to do is boost that, doubling the rate at which statutory — that, doubling the rate at which statutory pay is available during that period but also to make it really — that period but also to make it really fully interchangeable between parents _ really fully interchangeable between parents with a use it or lose it

period — parents with a use it or lose it period for— parents with a use it or lose it period for fathers. so many more fathers _ period for fathers. so many more fathers want to stay at home to be there _ fathers want to stay at home to be there for— fathers want to stay at home to be there for their child's first words, steps _ there for their child's first words, steps and — there for their child's first words, steps and it's really important to offer _ steps and it's really important to offer that — steps and it's really important to offer that genuine flexibility and choice — offer that genuine flexibility and choice. , . ., , offer that genuine flexibility and choice. , , ., , choice. this will cost billions as is the personal— choice. this will cost billions as is the personal care _ choice. this will cost billions as is the personal care policy. - choice. this will cost billions as is the personal care policy. you choice. this will cost billions as - is the personal care policy. you are splashing the cash at this conference. where is the money going to come from? we conference. where is the money going to come from?— to come from? we are setting out our riorities to come from? we are setting out our priorities for — to come from? we are setting out our priorities for investment _ to come from? we are setting out our priorities for investment and - priorities for investment and politics— priorities for investment and politics is— priorities for investment and politics is about choices and we have _ politics is about choices and we have seen— politics is about choices and we have seen this conservative government run the nhs into the ground, — government run the nhs into the ground, not fund social care properly— ground, not fund social care properly and let our children down whether— properly and let our children down whether it — properly and let our children down whether it is crumbling school buildings... in terms of funding, of course— buildings... in terms of funding, of course as— buildings... in terms of funding, of course as we — buildings... in terms of funding, of course as we go into the next election. _ course as we go into the next election, we will have a fully costed — election, we will have a fully costed manifesto but we have already indicated _ costed manifesto but we have already indicated our priorities in terms of taxation — indicated our priorities in terms of taxation. we wouldn't cut taxes on banks, _ taxation. we wouldn't cut taxes on banks, we — taxation. we wouldn't cut taxes on banks, we would reverse that. we have _ banks, we would reverse that. we have talked about capital gains tax

loopholes, we were the first party to call— loopholes, we were the first party to call for— loopholes, we were the first party to call for a — loopholes, we were the first party to call for a windfall tax and we wanted — to call for a windfall tax and we wanted to — to call for a windfall tax and we wanted to be much more ambitious. there _ wanted to be much more ambitious. there are _ wanted to be much more ambitious. there are a — wanted to be much more ambitious. there are a of areas where it will be a _ there are a of areas where it will be a fully— there are a of areas where it will be a fully costed manifesto, complemented by the institute for fiscal— complemented by the institute for fiscal studies. | complemented by the institute for fiscal studies.— fiscal studies. i should ask you about one _ fiscal studies. i should ask you about one of _ fiscal studies. i should ask you about one of the _ fiscal studies. i should ask you about one of the other- fiscal studies. i should ask you about one of the other major. about one of the other major discussion point of the day, hs2. borisjohnson saying the government shouldn�*t leave us with a mutated form of the project. the shouldn't leave us with a mutated form of the project.— form of the pro'ect. the liberal democrats — form of the project. the liberal democrats have _ form of the project. the liberal democrats have been - form of the project. the liberal. democrats have been champions form of the project. the liberal- democrats have been champions of the public— democrats have been champions of the public transport, trying to encourage people to use trains rather— encourage people to use trains rather than planes and cars so we are disappointed to see there might be disinvestment in hsz. are disappointed to see there might be disinvestment in h52._ are disappointed to see there might be disinvestment in h52. plenty more to come. be disinvestment in h52. plenty more to come- the — be disinvestment in h52. plenty more to come. the liberal _ be disinvestment in h52. plenty more to come. the liberal democrats - to come. the liberal democrats tomorrow will approve a pre—manifesto document which will give us some pretty heavy clues as to what their policy offering will be going into the general election. as you heard from their leader earlier, he believes this is the

starting pistol for next year�*s general election. starting pistol for next year's general election.— starting pistol for next year's general election. peter, thank you very much- — general election. peter, thank you very much. much _ general election. peter, thank you very much. much more _ general election. peter, thank you very much. much more on - general election. peter, thank you very much. much more on the - general election. peter, thank you - very much. much more on the website. to stick with us. hello, in many parts of the uk, cloud amounts have been increasing, signalling a change for the rest of the weekend with some warmer, wetter and windier weather on the way, thanks to a weather system that contains the remnants of what was hurricane nigel. certainly not a hurricane any more, but providing an injection tropical moisture. some very heavy rain across the western areas as we head through tonight, and further pulses of rain quite windy for a time particularly around western codes and much milder thanit around western codes and much milder than it was last night. by the end of the night we will between ten and 16 degrees. sunday morning starting on a mild note but with low pressure

in charge, frontal systems which will provide outbreaks of very heavy rain. this rain tending to affect western and northern parts of the country so western england, wales, northern ireland, west of scotland seeing outbreaks of rain. further south and east, more dry weather, some spells of sunshine and with these southerly winds it will feel warm in the south—east, large swathes up to 20, 201 degrees, further north, 18, 1920. as we head through sunday evening this band of very heavy, squally rain pushing across south—west england and wales, northern ireland very wet for a time and that rain sitting in across scotland, perhaps enough for flooding, some disruption. gusts of wind 50, 60 flooding, some disruption. gusts of wind 50,60 mph. into flooding, some disruption. gusts of wind 50, 60 mph. into monday that frontal system moves eastwards but that will be in charge of our weather. for monday, spells of

sunshine, but northern ireland and scotland seeing hefty showers, it stays quite windy. temperatures of 15 to 22 degrees, above the norm for the time of year. as we head towards the time of year. as we head towards the middle part of the week we will hard two keep a close eye on this one, a developing area of low pressure. uncertainty about how deep this bloke might become exactly where it will move across the uk but the chance for some very heavy rain and wind. broadly speaking a very unsettled week ahead.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines: the head of ukraine�*s military intelligence claims that russian commanders were among those injured in friday�*s missile strike on the headquarters of russia�*s black sea fleet in occupied crimea. separatists in disputed nagorno—karabakh give up their weapons according to russian peacekeepers, as humanitarian aid begins to reach the thousands who fled following a military offensive led by the azerbaijani government. in the uk — borisjohnson urges the government not to scale back plans to build the hs2 high speed rail link, amid speculation part of the route could be axed. the liberal democrats gather for their party conference, pledging free social care for anyone

in england who needs it at an estimated cost of £5 billion a year. those are all top stories. —— our top stories. it has just gone 6:30pm. a very good afternoon. now on bbc news, newscast. hello. it�*s adam in the studio. and it�*s chris in the studio. and, to keep us company, we�*re joined by ava santina from politics joe. hello again. and cleo watson. i mean, so many strings to your bow. author, radio documentary maker, adviser to two prime ministers, including borisjohnson. yeah, it's a litany - of failures, isn't it, really? i mean, the book did well. that's true. i've nearly finished my second one,

so yeah, you'll have to deal-