To investigate his political rival and potential president ial rival, joe biden. And, amid all the talk of impeachment, mr trump continues to make unfounded allegations about mr biden, who hopes to challenge him in next years president ial election. Youre pointing out when hes flat lining, where there is no evidence, none, not a scintilla, not one tiny piece. The American People know me and they know him. Even the people who support him know this man lacks character. Even people who support him know he lies constantly. In a letter, the chairman of three congressional committees accused mr trump of choosing a path of defiance, obstruction and cover up. In response, the white house accused the democrats of setting up a Kangaroo Court that would only waste time and taxpayers dollars and president trumps press secretary insisted that all their enquiries would ultimately show that t president had done nothing wrong. The foreign secretary, dominic raab, says hes called the Us Ambassador to express his disappointment that the wife of an american diplomat whos wanted in connection with a fatal road crash has left the country. 19 year old harry dunn was killed in a collision near raf croughton in northamptonshire in august. Police say they want to arrest and interview the 42 year old woman about his death. Iran has released a british australian woman and her boyfriend, whod been detained for three months on spying charges. Jolie king and her australian boyfriend mark firkin had been accused of using a drone to take pictures of military sites. Separately, an iranian student has reportedly been freed in australia, but its unclear if the two developments are linked. In the past hour, england have defeated argentina taking them through to the knock out stages of the Rugby World Cup in japan. Our Sports Correspondent andy swiss is in tokyo. Yes, a convincing 39 10 win for england. On paper, argentina are a decent side, but there was no way back once they had a man sent off in the first half. England scoring six tries in total and it means they will face france in theirfinal group game next weekend with a place in the quarter finals already guaranteed. Thank you. You can see more on all of todays stories on the bbc news channel. The next news on bbc one is at 5. 25 this afternoon. Bye for now. Hello. Youre watching the bbc news channel. Much of hong kong is shut down after violent demonstrations led to the suspension of the citys public transport network, many shopping centres, banks and businesses have been unable to open. Thousands of people have taken to the streets today to protest against a newly imposed ban on wearing face masks. At a News Conference in kuala lumpur, the United Nations high commissionerfor human rights, michelle bachelet, said the ban on Face Coverings should not be used as a way to target or disrupt people taking part in peaceful demonstrations. Ban on Face Covering during assemblies are in some circumstances used to target particular groups to curtail their freedom of expression or peaceful assembly. So freedom of peaceful assembly, when we are talking about peaceful assembly, should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible. But on the other hand we cannot accept people who use masks to promote violence. That is also not acceptable. Earlier i spoke to our correspondent in Hong Kong Robin brant. This morning there has been a protest of up to 2,000 people, who made their way down to the premium shopping district here in hong kong. They have blocked the roads and were there for a brief period of time, but then they dispersed. There are a few hundred here now, but what do you see in that crowd . Notjust mostly young people, but lots of people Wearing Masks, and that tells you what these protesters think about that emergency measure brought in yesterday by the government, which makes wearing a mask and covering your face if you are at an illegal gathering, a criminal act. They frankly dont care. So, we have seen organised protest this morning. There was disruption on the streets, but pretty low level and no trouble that we saw or that we have heard of, say pretty calm here today. The Metro Network is shut and it closed yesterday, so there is a sense of paralysis. Shopping malls are also closed. There will be lots of Convenience Stores closed this evening in anticipation of maybe more trouble this evening, but the sense we are getting is that people are staying away, and maybe just maybe that decision to keep the Metro Network shut is the reason for that because it makes it difficult for people to get around, and it makes difficult for sizeable numbers to gather in a protest. Are the authorities or the police anywhere near moving in on people who are Wearing Masks . No, not at all. I dont think they intend to. There has been some local reporting, discussing those emergency measures. Interestingly, yesterday, the Hong Kong Government said it is an emergency law but they dont see hong kong as being in a state of emergency. There was local reporting about the Police Taking time to implement these new powers, see what happens, you know, the truth is that you have people Wearing Masks and there is talk of a big show on monday of protesters, in hundreds of thousands, Wearing Masks across the city as everyone returns to work. Are the police going to arrest everyone who they think is attending an illegal gathering . Or, are theyjust going to pick off the hard core of radical protesters, those they believe are behind much of the violence . That is more likely perhaps, but for now, that is what the protesters think about not being allowed to wear masks. They are being very peaceful today, the disruption on the streets has annoyed some people in cars and taxis, but we have not seen any police anywhere. Robin brant there. The government has indicated it could clarify its new brexit offer after the eu called for fundamental changes. Talks will resume on monday after the eu said the uks proposed alternative to the irish backstop could not be the basis for a legally binding treaty. Borisjohnson has insisted the only options are a new deal or no deal. Earlier our Political CorrespondentSusana Mendonca said that it is unclear how the government could get around the law and deliver brexit if a deal is not agreed with the eu by october the 19th. If the government has not agreed a deal with parliament by october 19th, then it has to ask the eu for an extension, so it has to send a letter to the European Union asking for that extension. There is a court case going on at the moment in scotland, in the court of session, where those who have taken that there are basically trying to make sure that borisjohnson does obey the law. The Prime Minister said that he will obey the law, but at the same time he is saying he will leave on october 31st. But it is not clear that if he cant get a deal with the eu or through parliament and the law as it stands it says we cant leave. A sense we are getting certainly from the government, is that perhaps they are looking for alternatives, other ways to get around that law. In terms of the letter that they sent to the courts this week, a lot of people are suspecting that perhaps this is about discouraging the court from making some kind of ruling that would allow the cabinet secretary to send that letter to the eu if it comes to it, and the government needs to ask for an extension. There is a lot of speculation. We dont really know how the government would get around that law, and have us leave on october 31st if it cant get a deal. That brings us back to this need to get a deal, and of course they are talking to the eu about that. The eu has not been particularly positive about the idea that borisjohnson came up with this week, where he talks about the idea of keeping Northern Ireland in the single market, but leaving the customs union, which would mean some kind of customs checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the republic. So, unless he can really make that happen, it is not clear as to what happens at the end of october. Someone i spoke to yesterday in dublin was suggesting, having spoken to Irish Government sources, that maybe the private conversations could indicate that britain will be difficult if they dont exit now in future financial negotiations that affect the eu for the next few months, or that they would ask somebody else, like hungary, to try and veto the extension. That hungary line is also in the telegraph. How much credence is being given to that . This idea has been knocking about since the benn act came into play, and people were talking about how can the government get out of having to ask for an extension, and what happens if you get a country to veto. This idea of hungary has been around for a while. Whether or not they could get the hungarian government to veto is another matter because that would not go down well within the eu 27, and presumably, hungary wants to keep good relations with other european countries. What we know, i was talking to downing street earlier on today, they said they were not commenting on this, but we have heard from the Hungarian Foreign minister, who said that he had not been asked, no specific requests have been made to the hungarian government. Looking ahead to this week, expected prorogation on tuesday again, ahead of the queen speech on monday. People are making the point, how can you have a queens speech when Boris Johnson wants an election . You are making the queen read out a Party Political manifesto. Yes, the queens speech will be his programme for government. As you say, his government is in a tenuous situation at the moment, and he wants to have a general election. Some see this as stalling tactics, that if you have a queens speech, then time within parliament is devoted to discussing that speech, and perhaps that is why he is doing it. In terms of the prorogation, that is what has to be done before a queens speech. While the previous prorogation was ruled to be unlawful this would only be for a few days. Susana mendonca so Susana Mendonca so there. Susana mendonca there. The duke of sussex has launched a legal battle against the tabloid press taking action against the owners of the sun, the now defunct news of the world, and the daily mirror, in relation to alleged phone hacking. Its not yet clear when prince harrys allegations date from but in a phone hacking trial in 2011 he was named, along with prince william, as a victim. His move follows the announcement that his wife meghan is taking separate legal action against the mail on sunday. Ben ando has more. The end of another high profile tour fulfilling their royal duties, meeting and greeting, but amid ever frostier relations between the prince and the press. Now, harry is suing the publishers of two tabloid newspapers, the sun and the mirror, over allegations his mobile phone was hacked, its thought, in the early 2000s. The phone hacking scandal led to the closure of the mighty news of the world newspaper in 2011. And, during a trial that year, princes harry, william and kate middleton, now the duchess of cambridge, were named as victims. But why is the prince suing now . Royals rarely reach for a lawyer or a writ, and the reason is that its such a high Risk Strategy. They can be cross examined, they can also have disclosure go to places that they dont really want. So it is a very high Risk Strategy, the things that are outside their control, but its also a high Risk Strategy for the editors who are going to have to give evidence too. There are strong suggestions that in taking this action, harry is ignoring the advice of palace officials. But ever since he refused to take part in the traditional newborn baby photocall when his son archie was born in may, its been clear that the duke of sussex is ready to challenge expectations of how much or how little privacy members of the royal family can expect. On tuesday in south africa, the duke accused britains tabloids of a Ruthless Campaign against his wife meghan, and she started Legal Proceedings against the mail on sunday, claiming it unlawfully published a private letter. It seems the sussexes believe only the courts can give them the privacy they feel theyre entitled to. Ben ando, bbc news. The headlines on bbc news. Protests continue in hong kong as demonstrators respond angrily to a ban on wearing face masks. The government indicates it could clarify its new brexit offer after the eu called for fundamental changes. Senior democrats in the us demand the white house hands over documents for their impeachment inquiry into president trump. There are fresh calls for a change in the law on assisted dying, from the family of an 80 year old woman who has been cleared of killing her terminally ill husband. Mavis eccleston and her husband dennis were both found unconscious at their home in staffordshire after taking an overdose. Mavis recovered but was later charged with murder. John maguire has been to speaking to their daughterjoy. Married for 60 years, their intention was to die as they have lived, together. 18 months ago, Dennis Eccleston was suffering with terminal bowel cancer. He just wanted to end his life without any pain and go without any treatment. So his wife mavis gave him an overdose of prescription medicine before taking one herself. Both were found unconscious at their bungalow in staffordshire. But after hospital treatment, mavis survived. She was then charged with her husbands murder. That word murder that doesnt live in our lives. You know, were normal people and when you hear that someones been murdered, you think of something horrific and this was my mum and dad we were talking about. So i was literally. I was holding on to her and just didnt want her to i didnt want them to take her, and you could see that they they didnt want to take her but they had to, because it was theirjob. And so obviously, she went away, bless her, and shes only four foot eight, in a nightie, dressing gown and slippers, because we got told she was just gonna be away for three hours. It ended up being nearly 30. After a trial lasting almost three weeks, a jury found mavis not guilty. Her family are joining calls for a change in legislation to allow assisted dying. The law exists to protect the sanctity of life. How can a law like this be introduced and how can a law do both things . Well, they have it in another countries and it other countries and it works perfectly well. Were talking about people not the Vulnerable People people who are of sound mind to have that choice, to be able to turn around and say, this is it now. This is how i would like to go. So for instance, my dad i would like to go at home with my family around me. And then, of course, youre going to have the medical team there, youre to have signed all of the documents and everything else. Theyre going to have been safeguarded. Were not talking aboutjust anybody being able to do it and get away with it. This is not what were talking about at all. Were talking about a law. One which the government says would have to be approved by parliament which, four years ago, voted against a change. But mavis family says they will keep campaigning after the loss of their father and very nearly losing their mother. John maguire, bbc news, staffordshire. More than 1,600 uk high street shops have closed as a result of restructuring deals since the beginning of last year, according to new figures. The local data company has looked at the impact of so called Company Voluntary arrangements and found that nearly two thirds of closed stores are still sitting empty. Our business correspondent, emma simpson, has more. Theyve been trading for more than 100 years at this store. A Family Business that prides itself on its expertise and service. They have been keeping a close eye on their high street, too. And these last two years, its lost a bit of its sparkle. This is the prime shopping area. Its lovely. Its a lovely street, and yes, its always been a premium shopping street in harrogate. But youve got gaps now. Weve got gaps, and its very sad to see. Five years ago, it would have been unthinkable to have these empty units. Its a real shame. Even this attractive and popular spa town isnt immune from our changing shopping habits. I think its the cost of trading in harrogate is quite high, rents are high, rates are high, and i think all that needs to happen is if footfall just drops a fraction, it becomes less viable. Its the big chains that have been pulling out. A familiar story on high streets up and down the country, and we have been crunching the numbers. Since the start of 2018, 23 chains have done restructuring deals to cut costs. There are known as Company Voluntary arrangements, a form of insolvency proceedings. So far, 1,676 outlets have shut, mainly in retail, and nearly two thirds of them are still sitting empty. Here is one of them. This used to be the Early Learning centre. They shut the doors and handed back the keys, leaving the landlord with substantial repairing liability, up to possibly £100,000. Now this letting agent is trying to fill the gap. Its the toughest market ive ever known for retail properties. Landlords have to reduce rents, the government have to reduce the rates liability, which is substantial, and i think Town Councils have to help by reducing car parking, having an hours free parking or Something Like that. He wouldnt let it to a chain again . I dont think he would, no. Heres another chain that left, but its just got a new lease of life. This local business got a deal and moved in. Our landlord has been lovely, and hes taken a chance on us. We are an independent, family run business and we wanted to bring Something Back and to be in the town centre, and looking around, this is what people want. While other town centres are battling for survival, the challenge here is keeping harrogate special. A recipe that might now need a tweak. Emma simpson, bbc news, harrogate. Five years ago she thought it was the end of her career but tonight lucia lucas is making a little bit of history the first performance by a transgender singer on the london opera stage. Shes appearing in orpheus in the underworld at the English National opera. However, on stage because of her deep baritone voice, she continues to play male roles. Our arts correspondent, David Sillito reports. Hi. My name is lucia lucas and i am a professional opera singer. She sings opera. I am not trying to be a pioneer. I am trying to see how far i can get this to go and how long i can stay in the business because i hope that people in the future wont have the difficulties that i have had. Lucia lucas. It has been more than five years before she decided the time had come to be her true self. The director of the opera comapny at the time said. Just one question what happens to your voice . Ive done some research on that and for better or worse it doesnt change. And so with that baritone voice she makes the journey each evening from she to he. Tonight, a debut for English National opera. Ladies and gentlemen, you have 15 minutes. There you go. Thanks. On stage you play male roles. Is that uncomfortable . No, not really. It actually, in a certain way, justifies the difficulty that i had as a child because i knew that i was not team boy. Because youve always been acting. Ive always been acting but now ijust do it on stage. If it had been a choice of singing or being yourself . Be myself. 100 . I never envisioned that i could do both at the same time. You thought it would be the end of your career . Yes, of course. Five years on, rather than ending her career, it has blossomed. Transitional hormones havent affected that extraordinary voice and tonight, a debut on the london opera stage, another barrier broken. David sillito, bbc news. The competitive world of publishing has seen many titles come and go, but one monthly magazine has Just Launched its 500th edition after almost half a century. gay times is now europes longest running lgbt publication and ben hunte has been looking at how its changed through the decades. Glossy magazines fill the shelves, but this one, which looks like coffee table material, started 47 years ago as a monthly voice for gay activists. Here in the national lgbt archives in east london, you will find a treasure trail of queer history. We are lucky enough to have a full run, literally every take me through what media watch was. It was basically a look at what was being said in the National Media about the Lgbt Community at the time. Loonies who want a sense of family life. And even more relevant, save the children from sad, sex lessons. Reading some of the headlines here, they arent too dissimilar to some of the headlines that we actually see today. Of course, predominantly targeted at what was called the Gay Community then, but within lgbt communities, some of these headlines being targeted towards people with a trans experience now, quite often in well known media titles. Today, the 500th edition has changed quite a bit. The magazine has diversified, and so has the business model. The magazine now really only represents a tenth of the gay times organisation. We work much more with the community and content channels across social and digital platforms, with the biggest lgbt partner on instagram. In a woke world full of specialist publications, competition to represent communities, and make more money, is getting tougher. But activists say the platforms are more important than ever. Ben hunte, bbc news. Coming up straight after the headlines, well get the latest from the bbc sports centre, including englands victory over argentina in the Rugby World Cup. First its time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. Hello. Its looking pretty unsettled this weekend, we have a band of rain slowly pushing into the west, thats going to bring cloud and rain to Western Areas today, and tomorrow it will be stalled across eastern areas to bring a quite a lot of rainfall, in fact. This is the weather front im talking about, slowly pushing in off the atlantic. So turning wetter and windier across Western Areas, particularly Northern Ireland, western scotland and around irish sea coasts. Further east, it should be dry, some hazy sunshine here. Best of the sun in north east scotland and the northern isles, but it will be turning windy across many northern areas. Temperature wise, around the mid teens to around 16 or 17. Overnight that rain band pushes its way eastwards and grinds to a halt across the east, some heavy bursts of rain likely and the met office have yellow weather warnings for this rain across the eastern side of the country through sunday, as we could see some localised flooding. It will slowly improve for scotland but will stay quite wet across parts of Eastern England and turn windier, as well, later in the day, but we will see brightness pushing into Western Areas. Top temperature 17 degrees. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines demonstrators in hong kong who defied a new law banning the use of face masks have forced the closure of the underground system and many shops and businesses. The government indicates it could clarify its new brexit offer after the eu called for fundamental changes. Senior democrats in the us demand the white house hands over documents for their impeachment inquiry into president trump. Prince harry begins legal action against the owners of the sun and the mirror over alleged phone hacking. The double decker bus has overturned in devon closing a busy main road in both directions. The a385 is shut between southfield in Berry Pomeroy and saxon meadow in totnes after the incident. Ambulance staff are at the scene near lombcrombe cross, and other Emergency Services are on route. Sport for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. It was a potential could have been a potential this for england against argentina and one they would have wanted to avoid and they did so. They will be pleased for years on from the humiliation of going out at the group stage. They have qualified for the quarterfinals of the rugby cup with a game to spare after beating argentina 39 ten this morning. They remain on course to meet australia in the quarters. They beat europe by 45 10. The youngest player to start in a world cup crossing ever for their second try. This is a lovely breakaway to extend a stellar australias advantage. The action on the penultimate day of world athletics championships in doha gets underway in a few hours time seven golds are up for grabs today. In the mens 20 kilometre race walk last night tom bosworth finished in seventh place. He was disqualified from the event at the last world championships, and was delighted to finish strongly. But he will be able to sympathise with fellow brit callum wilkinson, who was unfortunately disqualfied this time round. Go all the way, train really hard as