Birmingham is probably not ideal. Partly its about the pandemic and inflation. Construction costs have gone. Inflation. Construction costs have gone. Construction costs have gone absolutely through the roof, every form of rail construction, but especially rail construction. Plaque, when we get the decision, it will put pressure on labour to come up will put pressure on labour to come up to an answer to the question that they will be asked, what would you do with the birmingham to manchester leg. What will their strategy be be . They say they will continue and build they say they will continue and build the they say they will continue and build the entire they say they will continue and build the entire project they say they will continue and build the entire project as they say they will continue and build the entire project as planned. It build the entire project as planned. Ll depends build the entire project as planned. It depends who build the entire project as planned. It depends who you build the entire project as planned. It depends who you talk build the entire project as planned. It depends who you talk to. Build the entire project as planned. It depends who you talk to. I build the entire project as planned. It depends who you talk to. I spoke to darrenjones, shadow chief secretary to the treasury, and he said, we need to look at the books and the figures. We said, we need to look at the books and the figures. And the figures. We have seen disciline and the figures. We have seen discipline continue and the figures. We have seen discipline continue to and the figures. We have seen discipline continue to get and the figures. We have seen discipline continue to get very| discipline continue to get very strict discipline continue to get very strict with discipline continue to get very strict with the discipline continue to get very strict with the Party Discipline continue to get very strict with the party as discipline continue to get very strict with the party as the discipline continue to get very strict with the party as the months io strict with the party as the months 90 by, strict with the party as the months 90 by, so strict with the party as the months 90 by, solo be strict with the party as the months go by, so to be honest, strict with the party as the months go by, so to be honest, it strict with the party as the months go by, so to be honest, it will strict with the party as the months go by, so to be honest, it will be l go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to see go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to see if go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to see if we go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to see if we get go by, so to be honest, it will be interesting to see if we get any i interesting to see if we get any sort of interesting to see if we get any sort of actual interesting to see if we get any sort of actual response interesting to see if we get any sort of actual response in interesting to see if we get anyl sort of actual response in policy from sort of actual response in policy from labour sort of actual response in policy from Labour Conference sort of actual response in policy from Labour Conference next. From Labour Conference next week. But the from Labour Conference next week. But the pressure from Labour Conference next week. But the pressure will from Labour Conference next week. But the pressure will certainly from Labour Conference next week. But the pressure will certainly be. But the pressure will certainly be on keir but the pressure will certainly be on keir starmer. But the pressure will certainly be on keir starmer. On keir starmer. Thank you very much. So lets take a look at some of the front pages. De daily mail, is the best country to be black in says kemi medlock. The times, bm brings the axe down on hsz the times, bm brings the axe down on hs2 in the north. The guardian, bishop accused of cancelling the future with the climb down on hs2 for top thats all from us tonight. Were back from here tomorrow. Perhaps well have an hs2 decision by then. Goodnight. Youre live with bbc news. The former Chief Executive of Global Fashion brand Abercrombie Fitch and his british partner are facing allegations of exploitation from men recruited for six events they hosted around the world. A bbc investigation found a highly organised operation running the events, with a Middleman Finding Young Adult men for mikejeffries and his partner matthew smith. Eight men told the bbc they attended these events, some of whom alleged they were exploited or abused. Mrjeffries and mr smith did not respond to requests for comment. Abercrombie says its conducting an independent investigation into the allegations. Rianna croxford has the story. In the early 20005, Abercrombie And Fitch became one of the hottest labels in the us and around the world. Sexualised imagery and provocative billboards turned the teen retailer, which also owns the hollister brand, into a multibillion dollar sensation. The man behind the vision was then ceo mikejeffries. Mike was tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous. He was an incredibly big personality. He would explode into a room. Bbc panorama has uncovered a highly organised International Operation recruiting young adult men for sex with mikejeffries over several years, when he was the ceo of the brand. This experience, i think it broke me, and it mentally messed me up. Two men have agreed to tell me their accounts on camera. They attended separate events hosted by mikejeffries in 2010 and 2011. Both men say they were recruited and auditioned by a middle man, james jacobson, known to the men asjim. David says mrjacobson led him to believe he was pursuing a modelling opportunity. I was made to believe, look, this is where everybody gets their start. This is where you want to get your start. It was like he was selling fame. And the price was compliance. David says compliance meant engaging in a sexual act with mrjacobson. Seven more men ive spoken to say they also met with jim. The men Say Mrjacobson was part of a Well Oiled Machine which included recruiters, drivers and other staff. Mrjacobson told the bbc any encounters were fully consensual, not coercive. He said he had no recollection of making promises of modelling opportunities, and that everyone whom he came into contact with who attended these events went in with their eyes wide open. This is the route the men would have taken when they were on their way to the hamptons, when they were going to go and meet with mikejeffries. 0nce through the audition, the men would then go to an event hosted by mrjeffries and his british partner, matthew smith. Some were held at their home here in the exclusive new york Coastal Community the hamptons. Barrett said he was introduced to mrjacobson by an older model who he felt indebted to, and knew there would be some kind of sexual activity. David said he was not expecting sex to take place at the hamptons. I was taken, chaperoned over to the main house, to the doors that entered into the bedroom where everything was happening. And then. Told to disrobe. Barrett said he engaged in an intimate act with another man. David says mrjeffries had sex with him. So i didnt feel safe to, like, say no or, i dont feel comfortable with this. I dont really know what would have happened. I didnt feel like i had any choice. Both men say they felt leaving didnt seem to be an option because mrjeffries private staff were supervising the event, including in the bedroom. They also say they were asked to sign Nondisclosure Agreements beforehand, and were not given any copies to take away. It did feel like they were trying to scare us. Thats what it felt like. It felt like intimidation. Both men were paid around 2500 after the event they attended. Still hoping it may lead to modelling work, david went to further events with mrjeffries and mr smith, both in the us and around the world. Two us lawyers who reviewed evidence uncovered by the bbc said prosecutors should investigate whether the allegations could amount to sex trafficking. The bbc has made repeated attempts to contact mrjeffries and mr smith. They have not responded. Abercrombie and fitch told us it is appalled and disgusted by the allegations about their former ceos behaviour. It said a new executive Leadership Team has transformed the companys brand and culture, adding, the company has Zero Tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination ofany kind. Rianna croxford, bbc news. If youve been affected by some of the issues raised in this report you can find more details of support online at bbc. Co. Uk actionline. Weeks after canada accused india of playing a role in the death of a sikh leader, campaigners in the uk have asked the Chief Coroner for an inquest into the sudden death of a pro khalistan activist in birmingham. Avtar singh khandas Sudden Death Injune at the age of 35, comes after having reportedly been accused of pulling down the Indian National flag at a protest in london by indian authorities. West Midlands Police found no suspicious circumstances, but campaigners want his death reviewed. Michael polak is a barrister at londons Church Court Chambers and director ofjustice abroad he is leading the campaign. Michael, can you explain what you are campaigning for . So in this case, the persecution goes back a long time. His father was summarily executed in the 90s, he was sent to the United Kingdom because his family thought he would because his family thought he would be safe here. There were various threats made because hes a sikh leader, he was contacted by Security Services who made direct threats to himself and his family. He was taking to a hospital in birmingham and he died four days later. He died on the 15th ofjune which was three days before the assassination of the sick leader in canada. They didnt speak to any of his friends, they didnt even visit his home, so these are all the basic things you do if you are going to carry out an effective investigation into his death. ,. , effective investigation into his death. ,. ,. , effective investigation into his death. , death. Having said that, the west Midlands Police death. Having said that, the west Midlands Police issued death. Having said that, the west Midlands Police issued a death. Having said that, the west i Midlands Police issued a statement saying they did conduct a thorough review and saw mo suspicious circumstances. How do you respond to that statement . It circumstances. How do you respond to that statement . That statement . It simply, they didnt preperly that statement . It simply, they didnt properly investigate that statement . It simply, they didnt properly investigate this. Didnt properly investigate this case. To investigate a case such as this you would have to speak to all the people who have been left out in days before, you would have to go to his place of work, go to his property, and look at that. They simply didnt do this. They spent very little time on the case, they might not have appreciated it, the significance of the case, but they should have. Because the National Investigative agency from india. British police just in april this year, so they should have known there were threats against sick activists. In the United States the fbi have been going out to activists and telling them they must be careful, because of possible fears for their lives, careful, because of possible fears fortheir lives, nothing careful, because of possible fears for their lives, nothing like that is happened in the uk. We have to leave it there, but thank you. Pressure has been mounting on japans government to legalise same sex unions after a court ruled, earlier this year, that a ban on them was unconstitutional. The worlds Third Largest economy is the only g7 country not to fully recognise same sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. 0ur tokyo correspondent Shaimaa Khalil has been speaking to members of the Lgbt Community who said they dont feel seen or protected in their own country. Perfecting their pirouettes. In a country where lgbtq rights are still not fully recognised, this is not your average japanese couple. It was in a ballet class that kotaro and hideki met more than a year ago. Theyve been inseparable since then. Keitaro came out in his late teens, but hideki still hides his sexuality from his family. He says he doesnt want to shock his 90 year old mother. Despite that, he was happy for us to film him with his partner. Translation | think that discrimination is still very strong injapan, as is the environment in which i am surrounded. When youre Walking Around the city, it would be nice to see more same sex couples. Well, i wish that more people would not have to live a double life. I think if there is recognition, itll be easier. Therell be less judgments, prejudice. So, people i think people will feel safe to to come out and be themselves. Parliament has recently enacted a law to promote understanding of sexual minorities, despite fierce pushback from conservative lawmakers within the ruling party. It sparked a debate on local media and the wording angered many activists who say that the legislation could be used against the lgbtq community. What we are concerned with the most is the article number 12, which states that the government and the local government schools and companies implement necessary | measures to expand understanding, | they need to take into consideration peoples peace of mind, all peoples peace of mind. This article implies that lgbtql people are someone who make majority, other people, really feel scared. One of the things they hear a life in same sex couples a lot in same sex couples here is that they feel invisible in the eyes of society and those in power. And that translated notjust in the legislation or lack thereof, but in their daily lives. For example, many of them cant get a joint mortgage to buy a house together. And if one partner dies, the other has no legal right to any inheritance. They are simply not seen as a family. Aki and hikari are new mothers. But only one of them, aki, who gave birth, will have custody of their child. They feel uncomfortable showing their identity or using their real names. Despite the support around them, many still do not know about the relationship. Translation | dont feel. We are protected as a couple. When i gave birth, i wrote a will to appoint my partner as the legal guardian of our son in case i die during labour. And even that didnt guarantee her custody. It was parenthood that encourage them to come up with their families them to come out with their families and to think about marriage. They wanted their son to be able to explain his mothers relationship, they tell me. The couple are now legally married in canada but not in their home country. I am wondering why you chose to live in a country where your union is not recognised. Translation partly because my family are in japan. Also, if we live overseas, we would become minorities there. Foreigners. Here, we are supported by many people. We need to show that we exist. Thats all for now stay with bbc news. Hello. Its been a warm first few days of october, following on from the record breaking september. Well, joint record, as you can see, for maximum temperatures that was tied with the record set in 1895. Now, all that heat and humidity has triggered some thunderstorms during the latter part of monday theyve continued through the night. Lots of excess rain, standing water, slow to clear away. As well as that, this Weather Front here as well, just lingering in south eastern parts first thing. So a bit misty and a bit grey, showers following towards the north. This is the Weather System i talked about, the rain starting to ease, but leaving lots of damp, misty, murky weather and then potentially some thunderstorms following in the wake of that Weather Front. Certainly a fresh night and a cool night to end in the north, but it will still be quite muggy in the south with that lingering misty, low cloud and damp weather, perhaps a few thundery showers across southern areas first thing. But in terms of dry weather improving, bright, more blue sky around, but scattered showers most frequent in the north and the west for the day. And a brisk wind whisking those showers through, 14 19 our highs. And it will be notably cooler feeling or fresher feeling across england and wales because of the breeze, and also weve lost the humidity. Now, by wednesday, weve got High Pressure starting to build towards the south. Further Weather Fronts, though, invading northern parts, particularly scotland and then northern ireland. And that Weather Front might well become slow moving across parts of southern scotland, northern england. So there are warnings out appropriately for the end of the week. To the south, mainly dry and fine, but quite a bit of cloud around, showers follow it to the north. Look at those temperatures. Theyre still around about 14 19, just a little bit, still, above average, actually for the time of year. We keep our Weather Front with us through wednesday night into thursday, probably pushing northwards once again, another pulse of rain on that Weather System. So there are, as i say, warnings out for the rainfall in northern and western parts of the uk for the latter part of the week. But for many parts further south, its dry, its fine and it will get warmer. In fact, were hinting the Computer Models are hinting at temperatures getting into the low to mid 20s across many parts as we go into the weekend. The warnings are on the website. This is bbc news. Well have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, as newsday continues straight after hardtalk. Welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. Imagine being the individual responsible for Getting International assistance to the worlds most vulnerable people, those facing the devastation of conflict, Natural Disaster and famine. And then imagine being hamstrung by an International System which sees promises of funding broken, which plays politics with human lives. That is the reality faced by my guest today, martin griffiths, un under secretary general for humanitarian affairs. From the ukraine war to yemen, syria, sudan, myanmarand ethiopia is the un system failing those in greatest need