Past 48 hours were very difficult for lebanon. Bbc research difficult for lebanon. Bbc research has difficult for lebanon. Bbc research has found difficult for lebanon. Bbc research has found the i difficult for lebanon. Bbc research has found the number of identified russian fighters killed on the Front Line in ukraine has reached 70,000. Hello, im annita mcveigh. Welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast moving news, we will begin this hour with developments in the last couple of minutes and beirut, that lebanese capital, where smoke has been seen rising from the skyline in the southern suburbs of the city. This is the live shot, but i think if we can show you some pictures from just a few moments ago, you can more clearly see in the background of that picture the smoke rising. 0ur middle East Correspondent is saying this is a southern suburb which is, he says, Hezbollah Stronghold. In the last couple of moments the Israeli Military has confirmed that it has carried out what it is describing as a targeted strike in beirut. Now, there have been more exchanges of fire leading up to this moment across the Israel And Lebanon border. The Israeli Military said around 60 rockets had been fired by hezbollah, aimed at three Army Sites in israel. And then, overnight there were israeli strikes into Southern Lebanon described as the most intense bombardment since the start of the Gaza War in october last year. Almost one year on since that began. So, just to recap what youre seeing here, these pictures from a few moments ago. You can clearly see in the Background Smoke rising from the skyline. These are the southern suburbs of the lebanese capital of beirut. 0ur Correspondent saying this area is known as Hezbollah Stronghold. Of course, it follows the Pager And Walkie talkie explosions earlier in the week. We have heard of the last couple of hours more detail about those and how a particular type of highly explosive, a highly explosive compound was placed around the batteries in these pagers and walkie talkies. Which Security Sources say it would be very difficult to detect. Some more developments coming into us on what is happening here in lebanon. The israeli Strike Hit near key Hezbollah Facilities in the south of beirut. We are hearing. An idf spokesman, and israeli defense forces spokesman, saying it has carried out what it calls a targeted strike in the area. So, continued action against hezbollah, that is the armed group which supports hamas. They are backed by iran. And we have heard warnings from many sources, many commentators, many of those living in that region and working in the region, warning about the potential for it yet further escalation. To an all out conflict in the region. We know that, as we look at this live shot across the israel lebanon border, we know that the Uk Government has had an emergency meeting, saying it is prepared to evacuate two british nationals from lebanon if needed. We spoke earlier on the programme to Lebanons Ambassador to the uk and also to the lebanese economy minister. Who said it would be very difficult for lebanon to bear the weight of any further escalation, potentially, both economically and socially and politically. And Lebanons Ambassador to the uk said, if there was any incursion by israel into Southern Lebanon in terms of actual boots on the ground, then lebanon had the right to defend itself. And we can go now to our middle East Correspondent, hugo, who is in beirut. You go, what more can you tell us about these developments in the last few minutes . , ,. , minutes . Yes, it is ust after four Oclock H minutes . Yes, it is ust after four oclock in minutes . Yes, it is ust after four oclock in the h minutes . Yes, It Isjust after four oclock in the afternoon | four oclock in the afternoon here. So, about 30 minutes ago, news came in of this israeli Air Strike TargetingHezbollah Stronghold in southern beirut. 0ur Stronghold in southern beirut. Our initial reports say that religious and Social Centre was hit, this is an area of beirut where a number of Hezbollah Facilities are located, this is a busy area of beirut. Densely populated, and obviously, this happened in the afternoon here. So you would assume that these areas would be crowded with people, there have been reports of casualties there havent been reports of casualties yet but we have seen pictures emerging from the scene of this attack showing at least one building partially destroyed. Plumes of smoke over here as well. And obviously, this is an attack that happens in a week when we saw those unprecedented attacks, explosions targeting pagers, walkie talkies, being used by hezbollah members. So there has been a lot of tension, a lot of panic here in lebanon as a result of those attacks. And perhaps the expectation, that more attacks are going to happen. The Israeli Military has confirmed that it carried out an attack, it said it was a targeted Air Strike in beirut and that more details were going to be released shortly. So, this also happens after hours of intense activity along the border come up activity along the border come up with a barrage of hezbollah rockets targeting several Israeli Military locations in northern israel. That came after one of the most intense israeli Air Strikes on Southern Lebanon. We were seeing here, and airstrike lebanon. We were seeing here, and Air Strike Targeting the lebanese capital, beirut, the first israeli Air Strike here in the city following the assassination of the most high Profile Hezbollah Official to have been killed in these current violence between hezbollah and israel. One of the big Questions Hezbollah and israel. One of the big questions coming hezbollah and israel. One of| the big questions coming out hezbollah and israel. One of. The big questions coming out of this, i suppose, the big questions coming out of this, isuppose, is how the big questions coming out of this, i suppose, is how will iran, which supports hezbollah, how will it react to all of this . ,. , ~ how will it react to all of this . , ~. , this . Exactly. And today, the. Uestion this . Exactly. And today, the question here this . Exactly. And today, the question here was this . Exactly. And today, the question here was about question here was about hezbollahs response to the attacks that happened earlier this week. Yesterday, we heard from hassan, the first time he gave his public reaction to the attacks, he acknowledged that it was an unprecedented blow for hezbollah. I think it was more than that, it was a humiliation, a sign that israel had managed to infiltrate the groups communication network. And again, he vowed to respond, he blamed israel for the attacks, and he promised harsh punishment. His tone was defiant, as expected,. Defiant, as expected,. Against defiant, as expected,. Against israel. But i think it was very interesting that despite those strong words, there was no indication that hezbollah was interested in escalating this conflict. This shows that hezbollah is in a very difficult position, because of the scale of what happened here in the country. It needs to be seen as giving a response to those attacks, but at the same time it knows that any kind of strong response is likely to spark a major war with israel. And, as you mentioned, iran is hezbollahs main supporter, and it is not in Irans Interest to have a damaged hezbollah here in lebanon. It wants to a strong hezbollah, access as part of the countrys deterrence. It is very important for iran to have a strong hezbollah here in lebanon right next to israel. Very difficult situation for hezbollah here, and another position being targeted now here in the capital in the Group Stronghold in southern beirut. ~ ,. , Group Stronghold in southern beirut. , ~ ,. Group stronghold in southern beirut. ~ ,. , beirut. Thank you very much for that. Beirut. Thank you very much for that our beirut. Thank you very much for that. Our middle beirut. Thank you very much for that. Our Middle East that. Our middle East Correspondent there in the lebanese capital. And we will keep a very close eye to the situation there and beirut and all the developments that are happening in the Middle East, as you can see there on the Bbc Website and on the app, we have a Life Page bringing you up to date with all developments. Lawyers representing women who say they were raped or sexually assaulted by the former owner of harrods have described Mohamed Al fayed as monster. Theyve also urged anyone else with similar claims to come forward. At least 37 women have accused the late billionaire of assaulting them. The case follows a Bbc Investigation in which woman who worked for him came forward accusing the egyptian billionaire, who died last year, of multiple counts of rape and attempted rape, during his 25 Year Reign at harrods. One of the barristers taking part in the News Conference BarristerMaria Mulla explained that when selected for their role, women would be sent for � a private medical examination� undertaken by � three or four doctors� whuich included a � full cervical smear�. Ms mulla gave further detail, revealing that one woman who made a complaint to harrods was told by the then head of Securityjohn Macnamara that someone � could jump out of bushes� or she � could have a sudden accident�. In it the last hour we have got a statement from fulham Football Club, of which Mohamed Al fayed was an owner. Laura, tell us more about what they are saying in response to this. Fulham Football Club have responded to the findings of that Bbc Investigation, issuing a statement in which they say that they are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports in that bbc documentary. They say, we have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences. Mohamed Al Fayed bought fulham Football Club in 1997 for a reported £30 million, and during his 16 years as the owner, the men� s side rose from the Third Division all the way up to the Premier League and into europe. The women� s site had mixed fortunes, because in the year 2000, they became the first ever club in europe to turn fully professional in the women� s game. But in 2003, they were dropped back to Semi Professional Status and in 2006 The Club actually withdrew their funding The Club actually withdrew theirfunding of The Club actually withdrew their funding of the team altogether. What is clear from the Press Conference earlier, from the lawyers representing women who accused the late billionaire of Sexual Abuse, is that they currently do not represent any women who used to be employees at fulham Football Club. But they say their investigations are ongoing into all the entities that Mohamed All the entities that Mohamed Al fayed was involved with will stop and the fulham statement says that they are in the process of establishing whether anyone at The Club is or has been affected. They have encouraged anyone with information or expenses to come forward to The Club at a specific Safeguarding Department or the police. Thank ou ve department or the police. Thank you very much department or the police. Thank you very much for department or the police. Thank you very much for that. Department or the police. Thank you very much for that. Well, i you very much for that. Well, let� s return now to that News Conference that happened earlier and listen to some of what Barrister Dean Armstrong said at that event. We will see it plainly, Mohamed Al fayed was a monster. He was a monster. But, as a monster aided by a system, a system that pervaded harrods. One of the attorneys working with the women Gloria Allred says the allegations also include the unauthorised disclosure to Mohamed Al fayed of the Examination Results of employees he targeted for Sexual Abuse. I am familiar with how powerful men use their position of Wealth And Fame to sue, to subject women and girls to Sexual Abuse. The allegations against Mohamed Al fayed include serial rape, attempted rape, Sexual Battery and Sexual Abuse of minors. They involve doctors administering invasive gynaecological exams, as a condition of employment for some of the employees, who were targeted by Mohamed Al fayed, for Sexual Abuse by him. The allegations also include the unauthorised disclosure to Mohamed Al fayed all the Examination Results all of of employees he targeted for 0f employees he targeted for sexual of employees he targeted for Sexual Abuse. The allegations include Cover Ups threats, and a quarter of a century of Sexual Abuse by Mohamed Al fayed, after he purchased harrods and became its chairman. Natacha is a survivor she told the Press Conference that she joined harrods when she was 19 years old but that it� s only now that she felt free to speak up. I believed i had been given the chance of a lifetime,. An exciting job in an incredibly dynamic environment with endless opportunities to look forward to. I could not believe how lucky i was. L imagine the possibilities, this is my passport to a shining, l high powered career. Mohammed was clever. And highly manipulative, behaving like a fire figure, | often saying, call me papa. Often talking about his family and children often talking about his family and children as often talking about his family and children as if often talking about his family and children as if to often talking about his family and children as if to make often talking about his family and children as if to make me feel and children as if to make me feel safe and children as if to make me feel safe around and children as if to make me feel safe around him. He would ask kind and seemingly caring questions, he offered extra money for gifts to take home to my parents or to. Buy new work clothes. It all seemed entirely innocent and normal then, a perk of working for such a powerful man but unbeknownst to me i had walked into a Lions Den and there are Cover Ups, i layer of Cover Ups, deceit, lies, layer of Cover Ups, deceit, lies, manipulation, lies, manipulation, humiliation, lies, manipulation, humiliation, and i lies, manipulation, i humiliation, and gross lies, manipulation, humiliation, and gross Sexual Misconduct i was subjected to an intrusive and unnecessary medical examination and never given the results. I was subjected to aids and Std Testing without consent and i believe in is hindsight that i was checked for my purity. The current owners of harrods haveissued the current owners of harrods have issued a statement saying they are utterly appalled by they are utterly appalled by the allegations against Mohamed Al fayed. These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise. The harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do. This is why, since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of Sexual Abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. This process is still available for any current or former harrods employees. The statement concludes. While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future. I spoke to Paul Connew former Deputy Editor of the newspaper the News Of The World during the late 1980s to early 90s. Paul was investigating allegations of Al Fayed� S Behaviour at that time and he told us more about that time. I think it was around 87, we were in rather interesting circumstances. Very famous at the time, unfortunately now a Day And Actress called Alexandra Bastedo had done some promotional work at harrods. And she was pursued by Mohamed Al fayed, she was, if you like, to high profile and famous for him to a sword, but he bombarded her with presents, phone calls, invitations, which she ignored. But she had picked up she ignored. But she had picked up the vibes, you know, from being at harrods in the course of this promotional work, that young women. Young female members of staff there were scared of Mohamed Al fayed. She picked this up. She did not want to get heavily involved but she told one of my journalists about this, so we began investigating. And we found, i think, began investigating. And we found, ithink, about began investigating. And we found, i think, about three harrods employees, a couple of whom i am assuming were too scared to even talk to us. But one who did tell us all about it, but strictly off the record and unwilling to in any way go into print. Because, as she put it, women in their were terrified. And she particularly mentioned the name which appeared of course in last night� s documentary of that then head of security, now dead, john mcnamara, former performer, singer, Scotland Yard officer. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. An update now on the breaking news we brought to you at the start of the hour, israeli forces saying they have carried out what they call targeted strike on the lebanese capital, beirut. It strike on the lebanese capital, beirut. , beirut. It happened in the southern beirut. It happened in the southern suburb, beirut. It happened in the southern suburb, which i beirut. It happened in the southern suburb, which isj southern suburb, which is Hezbollah Stronghold. We are just think in the last few seconds reports on the Reuters News Agency saying that hezbollah� s tv is saying that people have been killed and wounded in the strike in the southern suburbs of lebanon. If we show you these pictures from earlier, you can more clearly see in the background of the image the smoke rising from the scene of that strike by the Israeli Military. All of this following on from exchanges of fire, more exchanges of fire across the israel lebanon border. Rockets fired by hezbollah into israel, aimed at three Army Sites, and then overnight the israeli strikes into Southern Lebanon described as the most intense bombardment of the area since the start of the Gaza War in october last year. And, of course, earlier this week, the Pager And Walkie talkie explosions happened in lebanon, mainly in beirut. And this image of smoke rising from the skyline of the southern suburbs of lebanon� s capital, the scene of an israeli strike in beirut. So, just to recap that latest line, quoting hezbollah sources saying that people have been killed and wounded in the strike on the suburb which we are told is Hezbollah Stronghold. The leader of reform uk, Nigel Farage, is due to give a Speech Today in birmingham. The party won 15 of votes in july� s won 15 of votes injuly� s general won 15 of votes in july� s General Election here won 15 of votes injuly� s General Election here in won 15 of votes in july� s General Election here in the won 15 of votes injuly� s General Election here in the uk and saw five mps elected to parliament. These are pictures of Mr Farage arriving in birmingham earlier. Members will also vote on the constitution, how the party is wrong, and who gets to join. Live to our political correspondent, harry farley, who is at the Reform Party conference. Hello, how important, given that the party now has five mps, how important is this conference in terms of the Future Organisation of the party . Future organisation of the. A 2. Future organisation of the. A . ,. , Future Organisation of the a . ~. ,. , party . Well, as one senior Fiaure Party . Well, as one senior figure in party . Well, as one senior figure in the party . Well, as one senior figure in the Party Party . Well, as one senior figure in the party put party . Well, as one senior figure in the party put it i party . Well, as one senior figure in the party put it to me, this is a building moment. They acknowledge that they are not ready yet to win that millions more votes that they need to win the seats, to grow, to win extra seats, to grow as a party. But they say this conference is what they call a coming of age moment, it is them attempting to build a structure behind their party. To vote in the constitution, to give It Members more at say. I think we can expect Nigel Farage this afternoon when he addresses this conference too, i suppose, enthuse the 3. 5 thousand people you can see around me. And there is that sense of buzz here, after that election result, there was a long queue is snaking up the road when we arrived this morning. Speakers have been introduced to Rock Music and dimensions of Sir Keir Starmer or the conservatives are greeted with boo. But there is that acknowledgement from seniorfigures in the party that they are not yet ready to expand, to grow, their supporter base. End of the conference is part of their attempt to do that. This conference is part of their attempt. Conference is part of their Attempt Conference is part of their attem t. , , attempt. They were seen up until now attempt. They were seen up until now is attempt. They were seen up until now is very attempt. They were seen up until now is very much attempt. They were seen up until now is very much a until now is very much a grassroots political movement. It is interesting when you say that, one of the things the people in the party are saying is that they need to expand their grassroots. Totally controlled by Nigel Farage, a slightly unusual structure of having a private limited company where he actually owns the controlling share, and one of the things they are trying to do just over there behind of the things they are trying to dojust over there behind me is a number of stalls setting up is a number of stalls setting up branches or trying to set up branches across the country, to try to build on that grassroots movement. To try to create Volunteer Bases around the country to enable them to expand. And one of the key focuses that people in the party are talking about is those seats where they came in second, 98 seats they came second, 98 seats they came second in the General Election, 89 of which are at libra held, so that they are very much targeting the Labour Party is what i think we can expect from Nigel Farage this afternoon. Expect from Nigel Farage this afternoon expect from Nigel Farage this afternoon. ~ ,. ,. Afternoon. Thank you very much. We leave you afternoon. Thank you very much. We leave you with afternoon. Thank you very much. We leave you with shouts afternoon. Thank you very much. We leave you with shouts of afternoon. Thank you very much. We leave you with shouts of the l we leave you with shouts of the lebanese capital, smoke still rising about 45 minutes after that Air Strike which targeted senior hezbollah figures. Hello. We have got a mixture of weather across the uk again with us this afternoon. We are seeing some pretty big thunderstorms already across parts of southern england, Hail Storm here in east sussex. Lots of sunshine meanwhile across the northwest of the uk, with barely any wind. A stunning scene here in the highlands. And then, we have got extensive low cloud still affecting some eastern and coastal counties across scotland and england. We should see it break up a Cross Linker and most of your true this afternoon but it will probably loiter and linger for northeast England And Scotland. Temperatures at around 15 degrees, give or take. We will see some sunshine, but some big stars is dutch showers affecting central england. Some localised water floods, although many areas will miss them altogether. Through this evening and overnight, more storms coming up from europe to affect southern areas of england and wales. Away from that it england and wales. Away from Thatitis England and wales. Away from that it is dry but the low cloud is likely to become more extensive with some missed patches, temperatures around 11 or 13 degrees. Tomorrow� s a similar kind of looking day, watch out for us showers and thunderstorms building across england and wales, some quite intense. But Hit Or Miss in nature. Cloudy start elsewhere, but it will tend to thin and break up to give some sunshine. It will stay rather cloudy for parts of Eastern Scotland and perhaps the far northeast of england as well. Through Saturday Night and into sunday, we are going to see low pressure bring heavy, thundery rain across quite a large area of england and wales. Some places could see a month� s worth of rainfall in 24 hours, so the threat of seeing some localised flooding is much greater as he looking to sunday. Heavy showers across england and wales, and across the north of England And Scotland it will probably stay dry, with some low cloud affecting the North Sea coast. Next week, low pressure continues to fire across the atlantic across england and wales bringing further zones of heavy rain. Is that clear through later in the week, towards friday, we will get these colder or northwestern went diving its way southwards. Next week we will see a sharp drop in temperatures, average at this time of year in edinburgh is 17 degrees, so it will be quite a cold week next week. Live from New York at the opening bell, this is business today. A after the party, come the handover. Stocks stall at all time highs, as euphoria over the federal Reserve Rate Cut starts to fade. Also coming up, no time for a Victory Lap and said president biden, plus, britain� s debt dilemma. Biden, the Uk Government owes as much as the whole economy is worth for the first time since 1961. And me, myself and ai. A why performers fear competiton from their own digital images. Welcome to business today, live from New York, i m ritika gupta. New pressures