A lot of people just say, well, you know, that was the noughties and maybe it wasnt as bad as the � 70s or � 80s. Theres been a sense of progress in a sense. Do you buy that or do you think these challenges are still there for female comedians every day even now . I would say first of all its not just for female comedians. There have been male comics who have named male predators in our circles. I think, if anything, with social media its kind of being perpetuated. What people forget about comedians is we are not only talents that make people laugh. We are also colleagues. Meryl orourke. A quick look ahead to next week. Weve been filming in ukraine for a series of special reports. Heres a taste. The raw emotion of this war and its consequences could not be more stark. Thats all from us tonight. Kirsty� s here on monday. Till then, have a great weekend. Breaking news from Around The World 24 Breaking News from Around The World 2a hours a day. This is bbc news. Thats in addition to a 25 million package from the us an ounce during mr zelinskis visit to washington on thursday. For more details, my colleague spoke with alexander, an adviser to mr zelinski. And to have you back. Thank you forjoining us. We have seen multiple us media reports that the bbc have not been able to verify just at that the usa is going to send ukraine long range missile systems. Can you confirm that that is the case . I missile systems. Can you confirm that that is the case . That that is the case . I cant personally that that is the case . I cant personally confirm that that is the case . I cant personally confirm any that that is the case . I cant personally confirm any of i that that is the case . I cant i personally confirm any of those rumours. Its true that it is in the news, but that is where our military and Political Leadership to finally confirm. Of course we are pressing our partners in the us in particular very hard to give us these long range missiles because they would make a difference in the war effort and we are obviously in this fight together and we need to reach common goals. And to make sure that democracies prevail over autocracies. If democracies prevail over autocracies. Democracies prevail over autocracies. ,. , autocracies. If they were to be a. Reed autocracies. If they were to be agreed to autocracies. If they were to be agreed to convince autocracies. If they were to be agreed to convince her autocracies. If they were to be agreed to convince her to autocracies. If they were to be agreed to convince her to be l agreed to convince her to be confirmed, but they get to the battlefield quick enough . Again, that is a military battlefield quick enough . Again, that is a Military Question battlefield quick enough . Again, that is a Military Question of that is a Military Question of Strategic Military importance. Im not a Military Expert to tell you exactly what would happen. Clearly they would be put to use effectively by our military who know how to use them and for whatever purposes they see fit. See them and for whatever purposes they see fit. , ~. ,. , see fit. See Ukrainian President zelensky has see fit. See Ukrainian President zelensky has wrapped see fit. See Ukrainian President zelensky has wrapped up see fit. See Ukrainian President zelensky has wrapped up his i see fit. See Ukrainian President. Zelensky has wrapped up his visit see fit. See Ukrainian President zelensky has wrapped up his visit to the us and it was a different phase at this time. He did try to convince congressional leaders that support for ukraine should continue, particularly among republicans who have expressed more scepticism about continuing to support ukraine. Do you think that president zelensky was able to make his case . I believe so and i hepe was able to make his case . I believe so and i hope so. Was able to make his case . I believe so and i hope so. And was able to make his case . I believe so and i hope so. And they was able to make his case . I believe so and i hope so. And they know i was able to make his case . I believe| so and i hope so. And they know that Opinion Polls fluctuate in all democracies, including the us, and electoral cycles obviously have their characteristics which make them turbulent, and it might seem at times that support is swaying in a way, but listen, as i said before, we are in this fight together it is about making sure It Democracies prevail, that no dictator is encouraged Around The World, and using force, essentially, to push their way through and achieve whatever objectives they see fit. That would be disastrous. That would be calamity for the rest of the world. He can think about the crisis regions around the globe that would become inflamed. We are in this together. And the cheapest way for democracies to make sure that they dont have to get involved at some point themselves, which is one big concern among voters is to get every possible support there is to ukraine right now to do it as quickly as possible. I right now to do it as quickly as ossible. ,. ,. ,~ right now to do it as quickly as ossible. ,. ,. ,. ,. , possible. I want to ask about that su ort. Possible. I want to ask about that sunport he possible. I want to ask about that sunport he spoke possible. I want to ask about that support. He spoke to possible. I want to ask about that support. He spoke to democrat. Support. He spoke to democrat congressman of illinois yesterday, and this is what he told us. I congressman of illinois yesterday, and this is what he told us. And this is what he told us. I think the american and this is what he told us. I think the American People and this is what he told us. I think the American People want and this is what he told us. I think the American People want to i and this is what he told us. I think. The American People want to spend the American People want to spend the money the American People want to spend the money or want to give resources to the the money or want to give resources to the ukrainians. They want to make sure that to the ukrainians. They want to make sure that it to the ukrainians. They want to make sure that it is to the ukrainians. They want to make sure that it is going to the intended purposes and that it is effective intended purposes and that it is effective. And i think those are the types effective. And i think those are the types of effective. And i think those are the types of provisions that might accompany further aid. Types of provisions that might accompany further aid. Would you su ort accompany further aid. Would you support provisions accompany further aid. Would you support provisions that accompany further aid. Would you support provisions that would i support provisions that would involve more direct us oversight over how aid is being spent in ukraine . Br; over how aid is being spent in ukraine . � ,. ,. , ukraine . By every indication that i know of and ukraine . By every indication that i know of and everything ukraine . By every indication that i know of and everything i ukraine . By every indication that i know of and everything i can i ukraine . By every indication that i know of and everything i can tell. Know of and everything i can tell you in terms of evidence, everything that we have received them all of the support of Military Assistance has been spent exactly the way it should have been spent without any sort of risks that could have occurred along the way. We have put into use very effectively and, again, that is everything that i know. So i think in the first of all, you know, ishould mention this. I dont think that i need any measurable significant risk that we can think of right now when we talk about this, but if our partners on some additional conditions, then im sure Political Leadership will be willing to consider those conditions, provided that we can still operate effectively and get the support and the Military Assistance that we desperately need. If we talk about the Bigger Picture of Global Support right now, we are talking after g20, where we celebrating the final statement that was watered down, essentially come in order create some sort of consensus when it comes to condemning russia for its invasion of ukraine. Do you think there is a sense in president zelensky� S Administration that support for ukraine is waning as this were stretches on . I ukraine is waning as this were stretches on . Ukraine is waning as this were stretches on . , � ~ , stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense among stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense among us stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense among us in such a sense among us in the president ial office. And even though you might come of the public might perceive it that some sort of dilution of the common position that we have in the civilised democratic world, i dont think that that is what we are proceeding when we talk to our partners, and that is certainly something i think that the president has said and other people in the president ial office had set my recently come even including during this trip to the us into canada. So, look, theres always going to be politics, as i said before, and it does have its turbulence is. But i think Support Tjy Turbulence is. But i think support by any measure that we can see is firmly behind ukraine. That by any measure that we can see is firmly behind ukraine. By any measure that we can see is firmly behind ukraine. That is what we saw the firmly behind ukraine. That is what we saw the un firmly behind ukraine. That is what we saw the un general firmly behind ukraine. That is what we saw the un generalassembly,| firmly behind ukraine. That is what l we saw the un generalassembly, of we saw the un general assembly, of course, from President Biden, where he reaffirmed the us� s unwavering, as he said, support for ukraine. There are americans, however, who have urged negotiations, including richard hoss, former diplomat, china has continued to be directed reiterated its position that there needs to be a cease fire in peace talks, thats the only way to end this war. Do you think conditions are right at the moment to try to start some sort of negotiation . The bi risk start some sort of negotiation . Iia big risk here start some sort of negotiation . Iia big risk here is start some sort of negotiation . Ii2 big risk here is that start some sort of negotiation . Ii2 big risk here is that any start some sort of negotiation . Ii2 big risk here is that any sort of Cease Fire Agreement potentially at the stage with the current russian regime is not really going to last very long. We went to meaningful change to the russian position for me to the russian regime in order to have a meaningfuljanuary and it cease fire or even and to the war with the liberation of all our territories. Just giving russia some Breathing Space in orderfor them territories. Just giving russia some Breathing Space in order for them to be group and then re arm themselves and launch yet another offensive is not something that is in our common interest, and that is something to keepin interest, and that is something to keep in mind, both when we have these discussions among the west but also more generally. Remember, you cannot trust these people. They have broken literally every major agreement, every major premise that they had made over the last years, especially when it comes to ukraine. So that is not a trap, that is a trap that we need to be very careful about. , ~ ,. , trap that we need to be very careful about. ~ i. , about. Thank you so much for oining us on bbc news. I about. Thank you so much for oining us on bbc news. To i the us now. Just over were just over a week away from the deadline to fund the Us Government or face a shutdown. So as the prospect becomes likelier, what would a Government Shutdown actually mean . The funding for the government expires at the end of the day on saturday September 30th at midnight, which marks the start of a new fiscal year. If Congress Fails to pass legislation to renew funding by then, much of the federal government Will Shutdown at midnight. Many Government Operations come to a halt if that happens but some services deemed essential continue. Those could include border protection, federal law enforcement, and air traffic control. But they will not be paid during the shutdown. Federal employees whose work is deemed Non Essential will be put on furlough, meaning they will not work and will not be paid. Once the shutodwn is over, those who worked or were furloughed will recieve backpay. Earlier i spoke with republican representative zach nunn of iowa for his thoughts on the possibility of a shutdown. Congressman, thinking indeed for joining us. The clock is ticking. There is no deal done yet. Are you preparing yourself for a shutdown at this point . We preparing yourself for a shutdown at this oint . ~. , preparing yourself for a shutdown at this oint . ~. , preparing yourself for a shutdown at this oint . ,. ,. , this point . We are going to use every measure this point . We are going to use every measure possible this point . We are going to use every measure possible to i this point . We are going to use| every measure possible to make this point . We are going to use i every measure possible to make sure that we can avoid a shutdown that puts us Military Members on the front line without pay. It would make our southern border relatively less secure than it already is by making our and border guys need furlough. Ora making our and border guys need furlough. Or a situation where American Families might not have the resources they need to be successful. And that is one of the reasons im Staying In Dc over the weekend to be able to work with this away from my family so that i can fight for the families in my district to get a plan done before a shutdown becomes inevitable. You may be sta in shutdown becomes inevitable. You may be staying there shutdown becomes inevitable. You may be staying there for shutdown becomes inevitable. You may be staying there for the shutdown becomes inevitable. You may be staying there for the weekend, i be staying there for the weekend, but the entire house is not. Said Kevin Mccarthy had kept everyone there . I Kevin Mccarthy had kept everyone there . ~. , Kevin Mccarthy had kept everyone there . ~. ,. ,. , there . I think we have only a few da s left there . I think we have only a few days left until there . I think we have only a few days left until the there . I think we have only a few days left until the end there . I think we have only a few days left until the end of the i days left until the end of the fiscal year, and we need to be all Hands On Deck to make sure we are working on this. So from leadership down to every single Rank And File member of congress, we all need to be here working towards the solutions. Be here working towards the solutions be here working towards the solutions. ,,. , ~. ,. , solutions. The speaker has not mandated solutions. The speaker has not mandated that. Solutions. The speaker has not mandated that. Is solutions. The speaker has not mandated that. Is empowered | solutions. The speaker has notl mandated that. Is empowered a solutions. The speaker has not mandated that. Is empowered a number of us to have mandated that. Is empowered a number of us to have these mandated that. Is empowered a number of us to have these conversations of us to have these conversations one on one out to folks a small group of what i consider the very rights, as well as talking to folks in the middle and even on the left to say, what can we do, what can we agree on that would actually not on the keep the government open but cuts back to spending that is coming out of washington that would secure our nation and make sure that our military troops have access to it. In fact, i have led three bills on this to make sure our Military Crisis get paid, the members of congress, if we do have a shutdown dont get paid and the people are fundraising off of this. I think this is what we see too many people leaving the city to deal, try to make a personal name for themselves and not do the hard work that is required to make sure the Us Government takes care of the us people. Government takes care of the us eo le. , ~ government takes care of the us eole. , ~. , people. Yet, twice this week, a defence bill people. Yet, twice this week, a Defence Bill Funding people. Yet, twice this week, a Defence Bill Funding for people. Yet, twice this week, a j Defence Bill Funding for defence failed to get past. So what do you say to that part of your own party who really are the ones standing in the way of a deal here . I who really are the ones standing in the way of a deal here . The way of a deal here . I have very direct words the way of a deal here . I have very direct words. He the way of a deal here . I have very direct words. He can the way of a deal here . I have very direct words. He can come the way of a deal here . I have very direct words. He can come to the l direct words. He can come to the table and find a solution and pass Appropriation Bills as we want to do, the 12 that are necessary, and i also have direct conversation with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Dont like rules bills to come to the floor so we can at least have the debate. Lets not forget, this isnt on the actual avail. This is on the rules so that we can have a debate about passing budgets. This is something every american, every member of congress should make a priority. Member of congress should make a riori. ~. ,. , member of congress should make a riori. ~. ,. , member of congress should make a riori. ~. ,. , priority. What does it say about the ublican priority. What does it say about the Publican Party priority. What does it say about the Publican Party that priority. What does it say about the Publican Party that a Publican Party that a relatively small percentage of the party is able to hold everything up like this . RePublican Party. I able to hold everything up like this . RePublican Party. Ithink we have a this . RePublican Party. Ithink we have a diverse this . RePublican Party. Ithink we have a Diverse Group this . RePublican Party. Ithink we have a Diverse Group of we have a Diverse Group of individuals who are here and they are representing their districts. I also think that they have a real desire to see spending levels cuts back to pre cobit levels that drop a lot of the inflation in our country right now. But what i would say to them, wherever they are but in the spectrum of the rePublican Party is that they also be pragmatic. Im a military guy. And focused on solutions. As a lot of us here who went to see mission a compliment involve everybody working towards a solution, not a few folks peeling off, in some cases, trying to get their name in the news or have another fundraiser over the weekend. Given that Kevin Mccarthy is not able to rally those individuals and hasnt kept everyone in dc, has he said they should have, is he the right person to be speaker of the house right now . House right now . Luck, i have supported house right now . Luck, i have supported kevin house right now . Luck, i have supported Kevin Mccarthy i house right now . Luck, i have supported Kevin Mccarthy 15 l house right now . Luck, i have i supported Kevin Mccarthy 15 times. He has proven himself time and time again, ready to come together and help lead this, but ultimately, it is not the speaker who is responsible for this. It is the members of the Majority Party who need to lead on this. So i would hold everything a person accountable within our conference to say what are we doing to help move forward . Im doing my part. I think there are many others who are along. We have 200 plus members who all agree that the plan and we have a few folks who have their own plans who havent even talked to each other. So for those individuals, we can Work Together notching the government down for a new cycle but really working towards cutting government spending, protecting the American People and working together so that we can get something over to the senate and ask them to do theirjob as well. Senate and ask them to do their ob as well. ,. ,. ,. , as well. So, will there be a deal or what can he as well. So, will there be a deal or what can he say as well. So, will there be a deal or what can he say to those as well. So, will there be a deal or what can he say to those hundreds as well. So, will there be a deal or i what can he say to those Hundreds Of Thousands federal workers who are wondering if they are going to have a job to go to the week after next . In the south china sea, there are us submarines patrolling. Those Men And Women who are serving are going to come up and not know if their families back home are being taken care of. I think thats a pretty direct indicator that everyone in washington needs to start working towards a solution and get off their individual high horse hair. The reality is that not only both federal issues happen, but we are going to put our country at risk, our allies at risk, our interests at risk, and we all know that a shutdown ends up being far more expensive than if we would have just solved the problem on the front and. Republican congressman, thanks Indeed Forjoining us. I republican congressman, thanks Indeed Forjoining us. Indeed for oining us. I appreciate our Indeed Forjoining us. I appreciate yourtime Indeed Forjoining us. I appreciate your time. Thank Indeed Forjoining us. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. Chinas president xijinping has called on the west to lift sanctions on syria. Xi held rare in person talks with syrias president Bashar Al Assad in china on friday as part of assads push to return to the global stage. Xi also offered rebuild syrias ruined economy by upgrading ties to a strategic partnership. The philippines issued a Health Warning after smog from the taal volcano, near manila, prompted authorities to close schools and urge people to stay indoors in dozens of cities and towns. The small restive volcano shows no imminent sign of eruption, but the emissions of Sulphur Dioxide laden steam have caused skin, throat and eye irritations. Nearly 2100 workers at apple Stores Across france have gone on strike, demanding more pay. The nationwide strike was timed to coincide with the release of apples latest iphone 15 in stores on friday. French Labour Unions are advocating for a 7 pay hike to compensate for rising inflation. Youre live with bbc news. Newjersey democratic senator Robert Menendez is facing growing pressure to resign after he was indicted for allegedly accepting Hundreds Of Thousands of dollars in bribes. His own states democratic governor calling for him to step down friday, just hours after menendez temporarily gave up his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign relations committe. After a years long investigation, Federal Rosecutors Claim Menendez and his wife nadine accepted bribes from three newjersey businessmen in exchange for using the senators influence and power to protect them, and to benefit the Egyptian Government. Federal agents found about 500 thousand dollars in cash stashed at the senators home in a safety deposit box. According to the indictment, the money was stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe gold bars image fbi agents also discovered a lot of gold at his home roughly three Killograms Worth of gold bars worth about 150,000. Both mr and ms menendez have vehemently denied the charges. Newjersey Governor Phil Murphy released this statement, calling for menendez to resign. The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. For more, i sat down earlier with robert costa the chief election and Campaign Correspondent at cbs news. Things look like they are very serious for Senator Menendez now. They are a serious and he says he will defend himself alongside his wife with regard to these charges, but to have the democratic governor of newjersey, phil murphy, simone with national ambitions, considered a possible president ial contender down the line to step out so early after this latest indictment and to call for menendez� s resignation from it reflects a lot of what ive been hearing in recent hours behind the scenes from top democrats. They are concerned about menendez and his political standing in newjersey. Its a State Democrats rely upon to have a senate seat. Two of them are represented by democrats commits a reliably blue states, at least in recent cycles, though it has also been a state where republicans like former governor of newjersey, chris christie, have been able to find some success. So you see some some success. So you see some nervousness some success. So you see some nervousness from democrats about whether Menendez Cannot only legally survive but to politically survive. Talk to us a little bit about the actual indictment here in the charges. Of course, Senator Menendez is not convicted of anything at this point. Itsjust is not convicted of anything at this point. Its just an is not convicted of anything at this point. Itsjust an indictment, its just charges. Point. Itsjust an indictment, its just charges just charges. Menendez is being accused alongside just charges. Menendez is being accused alongside his just charges. Menendez is being accused alongside his wife i just charges. Menendez is being accused alongside his wife of i accused alongside his wife of accepting bribes and of taking cash, gold bars, gifts, having a luxury carfrom egyptian businessmen who were doing business in and around newjersey. Some of it related to whole all business, relating to food contracts. Hes also been accused of assisting the Egyptian Government in terms of the information he was providing to certain people. Menendez has a powerful figure providing to certain people. Menendez has a powerfulfigure in washington, chair of the Senate Foreign relations committee. Due to the Senate Democratic rules, not due to the law, there is note law about this, but due to the rules of the senate among democrats, menendez has stepped down from his position as a committee chairman, that decision has been applauded by the Senate Majority leader, chuck schumer, though he continues publicly to defend menendez. So we will see how this all plays out. It is a fast moving story. Thousands more auto workers here in the us are now on strike, expanding the protest that began last week. The walk outs threaten to raise car prices, and disrupt an industry that makes up about 3 of the entire us economy. The United Auto Workers union said strikes are expanding against detroit auto makers General Motors and stellantis but not ford. The u a w noted they are making Real Progress in their talks. The uaw noted they are making Real Progress in their talks. This comes as the uaw seeks a rise in pay and an end to a system allowing newer hires to be paid less. Theyre also seeking Automatic Pay increases tied to inflation, among other demands. With todays expansion, the Autoworkers Union is now striking against 38 more plants across the us at General Motors and stella ntis. The uaw represents more than 140 thousand workers at the detroit big three automakers. About 5,600 more workers went on strike friday. In total, there are now 18,300 Auto Employees on strike. Union president shawn fain spoke earlier on the lack of movement in negotiation. Both companies are still offering a deficient cost of living allowance that is projected to provide zero increases over the next four years. Both of those companies have rejected all of ourjob security proposals. Both gm and stellantis rejected our Profit Sharing proposals, and both companies have rejected our proposals to convert temps. President biden has announced he will visit the striking auto workers on tuesday. A short while ago, i spoke to our correpsondent Michelle Fleury in new york. Michelle, where did the negotiations go from here . Will the president s arrival on the picket line make a difference . Look, i think youve got the white house, and the focus from them, as you say, President Biden during the picket line next week. He got donald trump who is potentially the republican president ial candidate next year. And he has said that he potentially will go to detroit next wednesday. So given this focus, i think that adds to the pressure. But if you look at what is happening, youve got shawn fain, the president of the uaw, basically praising forward for the progress that has been made and castigating The Other Two, General Motors and stellantis for not doing more. In some ways, that follows the traditional Negotiating Tactics weve seen in the past from the Auto Workers Union where they sort of Strike A Deal first or get closer to a deal with one company and try and put pressure on The Other Two to sort of match that deal. At the moment youve got comments from both General Motors and stella ntis. I was just looking at it, basically saying similar things, which is that they question whether the union is negotiating in good faith. But that being said, they also say that we look forward to the uaw leaderships production date neck productive engagement and said they continue to bargain in good faith. So what this means in terms of getting the parties all back at the negotiation table, we will have to wait and see. Michelle, what are the particular sticking points that we know of between the sides at this point . Well, i mean, we know that they have been asking for higher pay. That has been one of the issues. But beyond that, there are others relating to worker benefits, things like ending tears, that something where more senior things like ending tiers, that something where more senior workers are entitled to either substantially higher pay than those who have joined the company more recently. Thats also a adjustments, so things like keeping up with inflation. That is something that workers sacrificed during the 2008 2009 period when the car makers are struggling. Now they are saying, especially in recent years, when inflation has been such a big issue, that they want that cost of living adjusted reinstatement. There are other things about Profit Sharing. Those are the sorts of areas where they remain far apart where shawn fain praised ford but said that gm and stellantis still have a lot more work to do. This weekend, a capsule with important clues for the formation of our solar system is expected to fall from space and land in the us state of utah. The osiris rex spacecraft collected a sample of the bennu asteroid. After being safely stowed away in a capsule, the precious cargo travelled billions of miles through space. Scientists will study the sample for clues on how our solar system came to be. Watch this space for more. Thank you so much for watching. Stay with us here on bbc news. Take care. Hello. Its the Autumn Equinox on saturday morning so the first day of autumn, officially. How about the weather . Its looking a little mixed this weekend and quite an interesting headline there. The tail end of a hurricane is expected to bring us some warm weather to some parts of the country, but also a dose of wind and rain. And here it is, Hurricane Nigel soon to become an ex hurricane, also being absorbed by the Weather Systems in the Mid Latitudes and all of that is heading our way. And also a south South Westerly Wind ahead of it will develop, ahead of this large area of low pressure and that means somewhat warmer weather streaming in from the south. So its a tale of two halves, quite literally. So the forecast sent through the Early Morning shows clear skies across most of the uk. Having said that, it is going to be quite chilly despite this remnant storm heading our way. Temperatures will be around eight degrees even in the south of the country and close to freezing, if not below, in the sheltered glens of scotland. Now, here it is, that Weather Front by this stage bringing cloud, a shield of cloud to northern ireland, wales, and the southwest. Within it, some outbreaks of rain. But out towards the east and the north, its a cracking day both in the morning and the afternoon. Were expecting sunny spells, temperatures around 18 in london, a bit fresher there in scotland. And then its Saturday Night Into Sunday that that Weather Front sweeps across the uk. The winds will freshen and we are expecting some rain. Some of the rain will be heavy at times. So heres the forecast then out towards the west and the north, increasing winds, Gale Force Winds around some of the coasts and some heavy rain at times. The further east and southeast you are, the sunnier and warmer it will be. In fact, 20 degrees in london. But even further north where its cloudy and rainy, temperatures will be close to 20. But lets take a closer look. And here are the gusts of wind, 50 to even 60 miles an hour. Now, that is a strong wind blowing out to the south. And then all of that rain sweeping across the country as well sunday evening into the early hours of monday. Now, heres the outlook into the week ahead. Those temperatures remain in the low 20s across the south of the country. But be warned, at times we could be seeing some pretty gusty, rainy, windy weather in the week ahead. Bye bye. Allegations of rape and Sexual Assault against the comedian and actor Russell Brand, which he denies, first surfaced on saturday afternoon following a lengthy investigation conducted by the times, The Sunday Times and channel four� s dispatches programme. They related to a period between 2006 and 2013, as lizo mzimba described on bbc ones tea time news bulletin. Now, during some of this time, brand was a presenter for bbc radio 2 and channel 4 as well as acting in hollywood films. He was undoubtedly one of the most famous celebrities in the country. The programme then went into some detail about what Russell Brand is accused of doing. The nature of those descriptions, the time of day they were broadcast, and the extent of the coverage that followed all concerned annie saviano. It seems that today, your top news story concerned the alleged historic actions of Russell Brand. Now, whilst i understand that the women involved need a voice and their story should be heard, it is not a top news story. At tea time on saturday, just before family programming, why were we subjected to such lurid details of these offences at such a sensitive time