Declaration of war. In a televised address, has run as well as that israel crossed allred lines after 37 people were killed and thousands injured in the surprise attacks across lebanon on tuesday and wednesday. He vowed to the people who had evacuated their homes in northern israel amid exchanges of fire would not be able to return unless israel ends its attacks on gaza. As nizzolo was speaking, israel's military confirmed its fighter jets launched fresh strikes, hitting more than 100 hezbollah rocket launchers in southern lebanon. He said some of the launchers were ready to be fired. Peace talks are being held in paris with the french president emmanuel macron saying a diplomatic path exists in lebanon. In a message to the lebanese people, he said, no regional adventure or private interest, no loyalty to a cause merited triggering a conflict. Antony blinken travelled to the french capitol, saying that all parties need to de—escalate. France and the united states are united in calling for restraint and urging de—escalation when it comes to the middle east in general and when it comes to lebanon in particular. We continue to work together for a ceasefire for gaza over the finish line and as we discussed with some of you just a day ago, in egypt, we believe that remains both possible and necessary but meanwhile, we don't want to see any escalatory actions by any party that make that even more difficult. You have gula tis even more difficult. You have gulaptis ignored _ even more difficult. You have gulaptis ignored its _ even more difficult. You have gulaptis ignored its military l gulaptis ignored its military would not stop its attacks on lebanon any time soon, the defence minister says isn't attacks in an effort to grade hezbollah�*s military capabilities after what he called decades of aggression —— yoav galant. . Translation: this is a new phase of the long walk fawwar. Hezbollah feels it is being persecuted and in a sequence of military action will continue. Our goal is to ensure the safe return of the northern communities to their homes. As time goes by, hezbollah will pay an increasing price. Joining me to discuss this is a former us diplomat focused on the middle east who is now ceo of engager muslim american political pressure group. Thank you forjoining us on the programme once again. I would like to start by getting your read on the events in the middle east between israel and hezbollah. Do you think that we are approaching a full—scale war here? are approaching a fullscale war here?— are approaching a fullscale war here? ~. . , , war here? well, certainly, we are closer— war here? well, certainly, we are closer to _ war here? well, certainly, we are closer to that _ war here? well, certainly, we are closer to that than war here? well, certainly, we are closer to that than ever i are closer to that than ever and it's what many have warned regarding the potential for regional escalation if the gaza war is not brought to an end and a ceasefire is agreed—upon and a ceasefire is agreed—upon and we are seeing it before us. It is clear that we are moving forward to an impossible all—out war between israel and lebanon. The issue here is that de—escalation has not provided either side with their stated objective, hezbollah has not been able, through its rocket launchers into northern israel to bring about a ceasefire in gaza, which is its ostensible reason for entering the conflict ——th the escalation has not provided. And it has benjamin netanyahu been able to achieve its stated objection of eliminating hamas or returning its citizens to the north because of its escalation and clearly the only viable option is to achieve a negotiated solution which, obviously, seems very far from here. But i'm afraid the much that we are on will lead us to an all—out war. On will lead us to an allout war. �*. ,. , ,. , on will lead us to an allout war. �*. ,. , y. , ~ war. And what do you think, in our war. And what do you think, in your assessment, _ war. And what do you think, in your assessment, that war. And what do you think, in your assessment, that that your assessment, that that could potentially look like and mean for both countries involved here and, of course, the broader region? i do think in site the broader region? i do think in spite of _ the broader region? i do think in spite of their _ the broader region? i do think in spite of their actions, in spite of their actions, neither side wants the all—out war but their behaviour has taken them there so i think more intense but still limited conflict in the form of increased israeli operations, retaliations by hezbollah, potentially symmetrically by iran, i think the theatre will still be limited to southern lebanon and northern israel but obviously, there's always the possibility that something else will happen. You saw the hoofing militia groups in yemen launch their own pockets and drawings against the jewish state, including tel aviv —— houthi militia groups. We still have not seen before in to the assassinations that israel conduct that on iranian soil so a lot of things are in flux but i do think the parties do not seek a regional war but they are also caught up in the rhetoric as well as publicly stated objectives which could drag them to that very scenario they are trying to avoid. They are trying to avoid. From our they are trying to avoid. From your comments, _ they are trying to avoid. From your comments, you they are trying to avoid. From your comments, you seem i your comments, you seem pessimistic about the prospect for de—escalation, a ceasefire any time soon. There's also been reporting from the wall streetjournal today that senior us officials are privately acknowledging they don't expect israel and hamas to reach an agreement before the end of president biden�*s term and we should say it's something the bbc has not been able to verify, and i wondered if there is any outside chance here for de—escalation and what it could look like? here for deescalation and what it could look like?— it could look like? really, it would have _ it could look like? really, it would have to _ it could look like? really, it would have to come it could look like? really, it would have to come with i it could look like? really, it would have to come with intense us and perhaps european, maybe french, mediation and others. I give it a small shot at success, certainly, before the end of the year. Given everything that we are seeing and obviously now the race is on hezbollah to respond to the unprecedented attack against its personnel in lebanon with what we saw, with the pages and walkie—talkies, etc. —— pagers. Ithink walkie—talkies, etc. —— pagers. I think what we saw is further escalations and i think from the in automatic perspective there was a view that providing benjamin netanyahu with all of the political military economic support he needed, including the weapon deliveries and financing would perhaps enable us policymakers to prevail upon him to de—escalate. That strategy clearly has not worked and i think there were early signs that it would not work, given benjamin netanyahu and who he is and i'm afraid we will see this play out for months to come. Will see this play out for months to come. Okri three, former us — months to come. Okri three, former us diplomat months to come. Okri three, former us diplomat focused | months to come. Okri three, i former us diplomat focused on the middle east, thank you so much for being with us —— wa'el alzayat. Much for being with us wa'el alza at. . , ~ ,, much for being with us wa'el alza at. . , ~ i. . ,. , alzayat. Thank you for having me. The uncommitted movement, a group of voters opposed to the support of israel in gaza by the us,�*s leaders urged supporters to vote against donald trump and to avoid third party candidates. The announcement coincides with kamala harris�*s visit to the keissling state of michigan which has the highest percentage of arab—americans in the united states. Percentage of arabamericans in the united states. — the united states. There are more than — the united states. There are more than 211,000 more than 211,000 arab—americans in michigan which is the second highest number in the united states behind california. Caitriona perry has been speaking to voters in michigan about key issues of concern to them. People reporting issues here and in the other cities we've been in michigan, just like we're hearing right across america. We're hearing about the economy, we're hearing about the cost of living, an affordability crisis, we're hearing about the rates of inflation, housing, education, immigration, the lack of good qualityjobs, as people see it. But, of course, in one part of michigan, dearborn, just outside detroit, that's home to the biggest arab—american and muslim—american community in this country. The news coming from the uncommitted movement that they do not plan to endorse kamala harris. Most people of course, many of them lifelong democrats. We spoke to someone who shares that viewpoint, faye is in dearborn in michigan. It hits close to home. My sister lives in lebanon and i have a lot of extended family who lives in lebanon so it's difficult conduct your day to day without that being top of mind for many people. I think just the broader issue is that there is this really focused attention on foreign policy, not as much is happening from a domestic standpoint. Kamala harris a live stream to town hall with oprah winfrey on night in a suburb in detroit, michigan. She is aiming to win over undecided independent voters living in the kiessling states. In her bid for the white house. Events named unite for american is featuring the core supporters who have raised millions of dollars through fundraising and are working to get people to the polls. When with black women helped organise and as ladies for come over. Ms harris holds a slight lead over donald trump in battleground states that a new national poll released by the new york times, the philadelphia inquirer and siena couege philadelphia inquirer and siena college says the pair is tied among voters at 47%. Analysts say the presidential election may come down to a small number of votes. This is what kamala harris said taking to the stage. Harris said taking to the sta. E. . , harris said taking to the staue. . , , stage. Travelling this country and knowing _ stage. Travelling this country and knowing what _ stage. Travelling this country and knowing what is stage. Travelling this country and knowing what is at stage. Travelling this country and knowing what is at stake | stage. Travelling this country l and knowing what is at stake in terms of fundamental freedom, what is at stake in terms of fighting against eight and those efforts to divide us and i do know i'm ina to divide us and i do know i'm in a position to do something about it so i felt a great responsibility. And the incredible power of the people. I am not the only leader in this, if is a much bigger than me. It's about who we are as americans. Donald trump is also on the campaign trailand donald trump is also on the campaign trail and spoke as a pro—israel conference a short time ago in dc. It focused on fighting anti—semitism in the us and featured prominent jewish donors. He also plans to make a campaign stop in springfield, ohio in the coming weeks, the city pushed into the national spotlight recently after mr trump falsely claims last week's presidential debate that haitian immigrants living there are eating pet cat and dog. Since then, springfield has seen a spike in bomb threats and residents have told the bbc they are worried about far right activists gathering in the city as they try to cope with the impact of trump's unfounded remarks. For more on the latest in the race for the white house, i am joined by our panel, graphic strategistjoy cheney and strategist joy cheney and former chief strategistjoy cheney and former chief of staff to the speaker of the house kevin mccarthy, michaela coel, a warm welcome to both of you. Thank you forjoining us. The clock is ticking down on the election and i have to sayjoy, looking at the latest polling particularly nationally, things are looking tight. — are looking tight. Things are very tight. _ are looking tight. Things are very tight, america are looking tight. Things are very tight, america is are looking tight. Things are l very tight, america is divided, no surprise there, kamala harris has also but have always said we are the underdogs, democrats are the underdog and i think we reflect that and we know in orderfor i think we reflect that and we know in order for her to feel comfortable she would have to be way ahead, right, so it's a tight race but we are prepared for it and i think you saw that with tonight's town hall, if you will come up with oprah, of all people, in michigan. Michaela, your thoughts on the outcome of the idea that this could come down to just a handful of votes here? i think it absolutely _ handful of votes here? i think it absolutely well. _ handful of votes here? i think it absolutely well. The handful of votes here? i think it absolutely well. The key. It absolutely well. The key swing _ it absolutely well. The key swing states are incredibly close. _ swing states are incredibly close, vice president harris has — close, vice president harris has really close the gap the polls — has really close the gap the polls are showing however that republicans are still trusted on issues of policy, issues of the economy and issues of inflation _ the economy and issues of inflation and immigration and so if— inflation and immigration and so if republicans can continue to focus— so if republicans can continue to focus on policy and get the message _ to focus on policy and get the message out, then they can maintain _ message out, then they can maintain their advantage but it's going to be really tight. It certainly will so let's take a look at some of the latest developments then, joi, the news of the uncommitted movement will not endorse harris. What do you think that means for michigan, can she still win overall, what do you think it means for the race?. They are also not endorsing trump. Ora third party candidates so we are perplexed as to exactly what it means. She absolutely can still win michigan and can win over some of the votes. I think they are going to be looking closely at what policies are done in the next couple of months and what he said so absolutely she can target that vote. I think many are looking to put as much political pressure as they can to make a difference as we go and talk ——go until october seven, that terrible anniversary, so we will see where things shake out closer to the election. I have not lost confidence. I think if you see there are also people who are in uncommitted voter and you feel like you cannot vote in this election, you can certainly register other people who can. D0 certainly register other people who can. ,, ~ certainly register other people who can. ~ who can. Do you think it could cause any _ who can. Do you think it could cause any kind _ who can. Do you think it could cause any kind of _ who can. Do you think it could cause any kind of change who can. Do you think it could cause any kind of change in i who can. Do you think it could. Cause any kind of change in the comments that she makes, for example, comes to israel—gaza policy? it example, comes to israelgaza oli ?. . ,. , ~' example, comes to israelgaza oli ? policy? it could make some chances policy? it could make some changes but _ policy? it could make some changes but in i policy? it could make some changes but in some i policy? it could make some i changes but in some respects, she has already done what i think many people, pro—palestinian, would like. She has said we want a ceasefire. She said those things. Hope they would listen to and understand this is an upcoming administration that is very much looking to find a solution that protects the palestinian people, as well as the rights of israel. I don't think — i think it would find a lot of excitement in her candidacy but is up to them and their mission driven and i think we've seen she is not attacking them, she is saying if you feel like you can't do iti if you feel like you can't do it—i hope you can because it will be tight and your non— vote may end up being a vote for exactly who you don't want. You may regret it later. But at least tried to register those who feel like they can support you. Who feel like they can support ou. �*. ,, who feel like they can support 0“. �*. , ,. ,. , you. And those drooling campaign _ you. And those drooling campaign events i you. And those drooling l campaign events denied, megertu, of course, saw harris take to the stage, oprah winfrey quite clearly there is a lot of staff power —— duelling campaign events. Will be a problem for trump? i think i have focused i be a problem for trump? i think i have focused the i be a problem for trump? i think i have focused the event i be a problem for trump? i think i have focused the event they i i have focused the event they are at — i have focused the event they are at tonight on israel and supporting israel and trump has been _ supporting israel and trump has been consistent and vice president harris has not been in her— president harris has not been in her support for israel and i think— in her support for israel and i think if— in her support for israel and i think if you look at the uncommitted voters in the primary— uncommitted voters in the primary when biden was still in the race, — primary when biden was still in the race, 100,000 of them chose not to— the race, 100,000 of them chose not to vote — the race, 100,000 of them chose not to vote for biden but when trump — not to vote for biden but when trump won michigan against hillary— trump won michigan against hillary clinton, the only one way— hillary clinton, the only one way that— hillary clinton, the only one way that 12,000 votes so when you are — way that 12,000 votes so when you are talking about this type of rates — you are talking about this type of rates and the small numbers, it can _ of rates and the small numbers, it can make _ of rates and the small numbers, it can make a real difference and — it can make a real difference and i— it can make a real difference and i think trump is focused on supporting israel and israel has what it needs to defeat hamas _ has what it needs to defeat hamas. . ,. ,. , _, hamas. You are an uncommitted voter, inaudible _ hamas. You are an uncommitted voter, inaudible everything voter, inaudible everything machalaghjust said. She is absolutely right. Machalagh just said. She is absolutely right. — absolutely right. Want to su ort absolutely right. Want to support kamala i absolutely right. Want to support kamala harris. L absolutely right. Want to i support kamala harris. Joi, let's talk about support among women for harris. Inaudible really strong. Women for harris. Inaudible really strong— really strong. Really strong! mobilising — really strong. Really strong! mobilising force i really strong. Really strong! mobilising force in i really strong. Really strong! mobilising force in terms i really strong. Really strong! l mobilising force in terms of. . Piros to unintelligible —— started black women. I'm glad oprah gave her a shout out. About 87% and it looks lower if you look at black men. Donald trump has gained some ground. How do you see the harris campaign looking to counter that? ,. . ,. ,, campaign looking to counter that? , _,. , , that? the second most reliable voter for democrats i that? the second most reliable voter for democrats are i that? the second most reliable voter for democrats are black l voter for democrats are black men and second only to black women, so we are not talking about black men and we're not worried about them, we know many will support her and they be some who don't. The fact of the matter is we will continue to fight for those votes but there are a lot of folks out there are a lot of folks out there and we are looking for a combined democratic party with independence with republicans and frankly you have had enough of donald trump. We are looking to bring all of those people together. I think the oprah event was emblematic of that. Including republicans for come alive. We are looking to bring all of those folks together and hoping to bring more white women out there so when people ask what are black men doing, i ask what are black men doing, i ask what are our white sisters doing? we are asking if they support freedoms for women. We need them voting for kamala harris. . ,. ,. . ,. , harris. You touched on some of the issues. _ harris. You touched on some of the issues, reproductive i the issues, reproductive rights, for example. Economic issues of course continuing to be a big one as well, machalagh, and looking at some of the latest polling the gap when it comes to economic issues, closing slightly between the candidates. I wonder do you think the trump campaign has effectively found its attack line? there was a lot of questions about that, i think, when harris first took to the ticket about whether they could find it. You think they could find it. You think they have? i they could find it. You think they have?— they could find it. You think they have? they could find it. You think the have? ~' ,. , they have? i think they have. I think the focus i they have? i think they have. I think the focus on i they have? i think they have. I think the focus on the i think the focus on the specifics on the policy is where _ specifics on the policy is where their strength is and there — where their strength is and there is— where their strength is and there is a lot of enthusiasm around _ there is a lot of enthusiasm around vice president harris, as long — around vice president harris, as long as— around vice president harris, as long as she is not talking specifics _ as long as she is not talking specifics. As soon as she says anything _ specifics. As soon as she says anything specific about price controls, you know, there ends up controls, you know, there ends up being — controls, you know, there ends up being a _ controls, you know, there ends up being a lot of criticism because _ up being a lot of criticism because the positions she has taken — because the positions she has taken over the last decade are wildly— taken over the last decade are wildly unpopular for economic purposes, for immigration purposes, for immigration purposes and how the american populace — purposes and how the american populace views her positions, so she — populace views her positions, so she stays away from talking about — so she stays away from talking about them and republicans can focus _ about them and republicans can focus on — about them and republicans can focus on the priorities and the policies — focus on the priorities and the policies and specifics, they can close the gap. Can close the gap. Really interesting i can close the gap. Really interesting insights. I can close the gap. Really| interesting insights. Many thanks to you both. Joi cheney and michaela coel, thank you forjoining us. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Let's ta ke let's take a look at some other stories making news. Bbc has been told several prisoners who were released in an to ease overcrowding have not been fitted with ankle monitoring devices, despite it being a condition of their release. The ministry ofjustice islamic ministry of justice islamic security ministry ofjustice islamic security contractor serco for the lack of devices. 1700 prisoners were let out of —— letter early in england and wales last week as part of the scheme to address overcrowding in prisons. The prime minister has defended his decision to accept corporate tickets from arsenal football club after the premier li club made two seats available to him in the corporate area of the emirates stadium. Said in an interview to bbc he would rather be in the stands but it would cost taxpayers a fortune in security for him to do so. Geoffrey hinton could have died at the age of 86. He started the itv soap relations street continues as don brennan, former co—star helen whately played gail platt said he was a lovely quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all. You are watching bbc news and we turn to the uk now where the metropolitan police says it is aware of allegations of sexual assault made against the late mohamed al fayed and he was the boss of the luxury department store harrods and more women have contacted the bbc, saying they were assaulted by mr al fayed. More than 20 women who worked for him have come forward as part of a bbc investigation accusing the egyptian billionaire, who died last year, multiple counts of rape and attempted rape during his 25 year reign at harrods. Many claim during that time the company helped cover up allegations of abuse and a warning that this report contains descriptions of sexual violence. I went back to harrods about a year ago and i knew if i could walk through and come out the other side, walk through and come out the otherside, i walk through and come out the other side, i would walk through and come out the other side, iwould be walk through and come out the other side, i would be in a good place to be talking to you. I good place to be talking to ou. . ,. ,. , , , , you. Ijoined harrods because i wanted to _ you. Ijoined harrods because i wanted to be i you. Ijoined harrods because i wanted to be a i you. Ijoined harrods because i wanted to be a buyer— you. Ijoined harrods because i wanted to be a buyer and i i wanted to be a buyer and i ended _ wanted to be a buyer and i ended up working for an absolute monster. ~ a,. , absolute monster. When mohamed al fa ed absolute monster. When mohamed al fayed took _ absolute monster. When mohamed al fayed took over i absolute monster. When mohamed al fayed took over harrods, i absolute monster. When mohamed al fayed took over harrods, he i al fayed took over harrods, he quickly embraced his high—profile role and the status that came with it. To his customers and the celebrity guests, he was all charm. To many of his female employees, he was a different man — a predator. We have heard testimony from more than 20 of his female ex—employees. He his female exemployees. He tried to his female ex—employees. He: tried to rape me more than once. �* , , tried to rape me more than once. . , ,. , once. And he pushed me in and onto the bed, i once. And he pushed me in and onto the bed, so i once. And he pushed me in and onto the bed, so that i i onto the bed, so that i couldn't— onto the bed, so that i couldn't move. Onto the bed, so that i couldn't move. . , ,,. ,. , , couldn't move. You know, he was 79, couldn't move. You know, he was 79. Nearly — couldn't move. You know, he was 79. Nearly 80. — couldn't move. You know, he was 79, nearly 80, and i i couldn't move. You know, he was 79, nearly 80, and i was i couldn't move. You know, he was 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. I 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. Mohamed _ 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. Mohamed al— 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. Mohamed al fayed i 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. Mohamed al fayed was i 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. Mohamed al fayed was richj 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. I mohamed al fayed was rich and powerful. Powerallowed mohamed al fayed was rich and powerful. Power allowed him to carry out assault at over decades. I carry out assault at over decades— carry out assault at over decades. �*. ,. , decades. I wasn't at home, i was in france, i decades. I wasn't at home, i was in france, and i decades. I wasn't at home, i was in france, and he i decades. I wasn't at home, i was in france, and he had i decades. I wasn't at home, i. Was in france, and he had come upstairs into my room, i was absolutely terrified. Got into bed with me and was trying to kiss me and push himself on me and i, again, i don't know how idid and i, again, i don't know how i did it, ijust kicked him off, i kicked and kicked and kicked and kicked and screamed and again, i got him off and i wasjust terrified. I and again, i got him off and i wasjust terrified. — wasjust terrified. I think mohamed _ wasjust terrified. I think mohamed alfayed i wasjust terrified. I think mohamed alfayed is i wasjust terrified. I think mohamed alfayed is a | was just terrified. I think i mohamed alfayed is a rapist, a mohamed al—fayed is a rapist, a serial— mohamed al—fayed is a rapist, a serial rapist. Mohamed alfayed is a rapist, a serial rapist— serial rapist. Emma worked as his personal — serial rapist. Emma worked as his personal assistant i serial rapist. Emma worked as his personal assistant for i serial rapist. Emma worked as his personal assistant for two | his personal assistant for two years. His personal assistant for two ears. ~ , , his personal assistant for two ears. Y , , his personal assistant for two ears. G , , years. My first trip was actually _ years. My first trip was actually to i years. My first trip was actually to abu i years. My first trip was actually to abu dhabi. | years. My first trip was i actually to abu dhabi. He was trying — actually to abu dhabi. He was trying to— actually to abu dhabi. He was trying to get in my room in quite — trying to get in my room in quite an— trying to get in my room in quite an aggressive manner and it was— quite an aggressive manner and it was absolutely terrifying. I did not— it was absolutely terrifying. I did not know which way to turn so i bought a small dictaphone that i_ so i bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket and these — that i had in my pocket and these are _ that i had in my pocket and these are the transcripts from that recording. One of them was in paris. — that recording. One of them was in paris. In — that recording. One of them was in paris, in his residence there. _ in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. I said, i there, villa windsor. I said, i just— there, villa windsor. I said, i just want to go to sleep on my own _ i just want to go to sleep on my own. Mr fayad, i don't want to. My own. Mr fayad, i don't want to ista — my own. Mr fayad, i don't want to. Ista fired, i don't want to — to. Ista fired, i don't want to and _ to. Ista fired, i don't want to. And he kept saying, just relaxf' — to. And he kept saying, just relaxf' how— to. And he kept saying, just relax. How can you relax when you are — relax. How can you relax when you are that _ relax. How can you relax when you are that situation? he walked _ you are that situation? he walked out and he was angry. Not long _ walked out and he was angry. Not long after this situation, gemma says al—fayed raped her. The bbc has heard testimony from four other women who say he raped them at his properties. In 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. She did not feel able to disclose the more serious allegations of the time. They agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a nondisclosure agreement. There was also another condition. The la ers was also another condition. The lawyers for _ was also another condition. The lawyers for a — was also another condition. He lawyers for a shredding was also another condition. Tie: lawyers for a shredding truck to come to my lawyers office. It was shredded in front of us, including tapes i had've him. Iphone had messages and voicemails, really quite nasty on them. Voicemails, really quite nasty on them— voicemails, really quite nasty on them. . ,. ,. ,, on them. Someone from hhi was resent on them. Someone from hhi was present for— on them. Someone from hhi was present for the i on them. Someone from hhi was present for the shredding i on them. Someone from hhi was present for the shredding of i present for the shredding of all of— present for the shredding of all of the messages i had. Hhi. I all of the messages i had. Hhi. |thought_ all of the messages i had. Hhi. | thought | _ all of the messages i had. Hhi. I thought i lost the transcripts but actually what i had was the transcriptions sent to my lawyer in my sent items of my e—mail account at the time. Of my email account at the time. ,. Time. In the statement, the current owners i time. In the statement, the current owners of i time. In the statement, the current owners of harrods l time. In the statement, the i current owners of harrods say: and the employees during his reign had been failed. They also said the harrods of today is a very different organisation. Between 1985 and 2010. There were several attempts to expose al—fayed before his death but it is only now that many of the survivors feel able to speak publicly about the abuse. For those who have, the silence and the taboo finally broken. Shaimaa khalil, bbc news. It's going to some other important news now. The eu announced they will provide $11 billion to help countries hit by severe flooding caused by storm boris. Leaders from austria, czech republic, poland and slovakia met this afternoon to discuss reconstruction efforts. Storm boris is battering the northeast and central reasons of italy, causing more than 1000 residents to evacuate and it has caused widespread flooding across europe, killing at least 23 people. The titan submersible that imploded on the way to the titanic wreck malfunctioned days before the voyage that left five people dead. On the fourth day of hearings on the implosion, a former science director for oceangate, the company that owns the submersible, that the malfunction caused passengers to tumble and hang upside down. He said he didn't know whether the titan was inspected after that incident. North korea successfully test fired a strategic cruise missile and a new ballistic missile overnight, carrying what has been described as a super large warhead. That's according to the official state news agency there. The launch is the latest in dozens of test strikes this year with dozens of experts saying it could be linked to the alleged supply of weapons from russia to use in his war against ukraine. You are watching bbc news. Stay with us if you can. More at the top of the hour. Goodbye for now. Hello there. For some parts of the uk, there is a big change on the way weather—wise — particularly in the south where, on thursday, we saw a lot of sunshine. Temperatures in london got above 26 celsius. But we're watching this area of low pressure swirling up from the south, increasingly bringing some showers and thunderstorms over the next few days. And the rainfall is really going to accumulate. Some spots could be looking at around a month's worth of rain from these intense downpours and thunderstorms. However, only really in the south — further north, it remains largely dry. The best of the sunshine across north west england, northern ireland, western scotland. Eastern scotland, north east england likely to be plagued by a lot of cloud, which will make it feel rather cool. And actually, that cloud has been rolling its way a long way inland, taking its time to burn back towards the east coast through the day on friday, but it should do. Staying quite murky, though, for parts of eastern scotland, northeast england. And then, down towards the south of england, perhaps into the midlands, wales, we will see some of these showers and thunderstorms popping up, some of which will give a lot of rain in a short space of time. 23 degrees in london. Just 15 if the cloud lingers there in aberdeen. And as we go through friday night, that cloud again rolls a little bit further inland. Still the chance for some showers and thunderstorms rumbling around across the channel islands, getting back into southern counties of england. A mild night forjust about all of us, a mild start to the weekend. And again on saturday, down towards the south, we'll see these showers and thunderstorms across southern counties of england into east anglia, the midlands, parts of wales. But for northern england, northern ireland, western scotland, we'll see some sunshine. Eastern scotland, north east england still plagued by that cloud, perhaps the odd spot of drizzle. Could be quite misty and murky around some of the coasts. And temperatures, if anything, coming down a little bit from where they have been. And then into sunday, it looks like we'll see some slightly more persistent, heavy, thundery rain, again affecting southern parts of the uk, east anglia, the midlands, wales. Further north from there, largely dry. Best of the sunshine in the northwest, more cloud into the northeast, so the pattern continues. But a change in the weather pattern next week — it does turn really quite unsettled. Showers or longer spells of rain, could be quite windy, and it turns quite a lot colder as well. The us federal reserve's move to cut interest rates is cheered by president biden and global stock markets. And here in singapore we are drifting into an f1 weekend. We'll look at the economics behind the race. Hello and welcome to business today. I'm steve lai. Let's begin in the united states, where president joe biden has responded to the federal reserve's move to lower interest rates. The fed delivered its first rate cut in more than four years on wednesday. Mr biden says the world's largest economy has entered a new phase of recovery, in a wide ranging speech promoting his administration's policies to bring down inflation. Let us be clear, lowering interest rates is a declaration of victory in the declaration of progress. A signal we are entering a new phase of our economy