Laughter. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Russell Brand was one of britains best known faces. Announcer Russell Brand . Famous as a comedian and presenter on both sides of the atlantic. I am famous in the United Kingdom . Even appearing in hollywood movies. July lst 2012 was when my rape happened. It was in los angeles that he met a woman the investigation by the sunday times, the times and channel 4s dispatches are calling nadia. She says they had a brief sexual relationship, but that on a later occasion he raped her. The women speaking out have had their identities disguised. He pushed me up against a wall. Im like, what are you doing . And hes like, i have a friend here, and i. I want you to come into the bedroom. Im like, no, thats not happening. Were not doing that. And i tried to get away from him, and at this point, hes grabbing at my my underwear. Im telling him to get off me and he wont get off. And he has that glazed look in his eye again. I was very distraught, trying to get out of the house. The following year, brand met a woman the investigation is calling phoebe. Again, she says that they did have a sexual relationship but that it had ended when she found herself alone with him in his house. And he grabbed me and got me on the bed. I was fully clothed and he was naked |at this point, and he held me down. I and i was screaming, and i was like, what are you doing . Like, stop, youre my friend. I love you, please dont do this. I dont want to do this. A third woman says she met and had a brief relationship with brand when he was in his 30s and she was 16 and still at school. She says he later sexually assaulted her. I was pushing him away and pushing him away, and he wasnt. He wasnt backing off at all. And so i ended up having to punch him really hard in the stomach to get him off. And then he, like. Finally then he, like moved, fell backwards. And i was crying, and he said, oh, i only wanted to see your mascara run anyway. The allegations have been denied by Russell Brand in a video message. These allegations pertain to the time when i was working in the mainstream, when i was in the newspapers all the time, when i was in the movies. And as ive written about extensively in my books, i was very, very promiscuous. Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships i had were absolutely always consensual. What i seriously refute are these very, very serious criminal allegations. The comedian, who achieved fame with his risque humour and who was once married to katy perry, is now facing the most serious of accusations. Lizo mzimba, bbc news. The uks Foreign Secretary was asked about the allegations against Russell Brand on sunday with laura kuenessberg. He says there are questions for a range of industries to face. I think there are some real challenges where you have these very, very acute differentials in power. Whether that be in the Entertainment Industry, whether that be in politics, and we see this in the commercial world, as well. I think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless because we, collectively, have missed opportunities to do the right thing and intervene much, much earlier. We have got to be better at this. The scottish writer, irvine welsh, perhaps best known for his novel trainspotting, is a former friend of Russell Brand. Speaking on sunday with laura kuenessberg, he was asked why he thinks institutions are still failing to confront issues like the ones raised in this case. Because its male dominated and because its very. Youre saying that there is no culture for men to address these issues, and i think that, theres also the kind of the anonymity of it almost, because people dont present in that way to other men, you know, so you can have people are kind of loyal friends and then you can you maybe get talking to women and theyll say, that guy is kind of completely dodgy, theres something really about. You know, and its something that never presents to you in that way. And i think thats why the sort of its not about kind of really so much about men colluding and sort of not identifying sexual predators. When sexual predators get identified by men, they tend to be ostracized very quickly. Theres just a kind of cloak of invisibility around having that conversation. So ive got Four Brothers and i used to tell them that if any of your friends make any rapejokes, either theyre a rapist or theyre looking for accomplices in the whole kind of conversation. So i think you can sometimes, you know, as women, we are vigilant. So i think its actually passing a vigilance onto your brothers and your cousins and all that kind of like, you know, the male counterparts in your families. 0ur reporter tom brada is outside wembley park theatre in london. And tom, Russell Brand performed there last night . Thats exactly right. Russell brand performed to a Sold Out Comedy Show ust performed to a Sold Out Comedy Show just two performed to a Sold Out Comedy Show just two hours after those allegations were published. The show actually allegations were published. The show actually began a little after apm, an hour actually began a little after apm, an hour later than scheduled. Apparently because of traffic. When he came apparently because of traffic. When he came on stage, he made an early reference he came on stage, he made an early reference to he came on stage, he made an early reference to the Controversy Swirling reference to the Controversy Swirling around him. What he said was swirling around him. What he said was, there swirling around him. What he said was, there are obviously some things i absolutely was, there are obviously some things i absolutely cannot talk about and i appreciate i absolutely cannot talk about and i appreciate that you will understand. That was appreciate that you will understand. That was The One And Only reference he made that was The One And Only reference he made to that was The One And Only reference he made to the allegations during that gig~ he made to the allegations during that gig i he made to the allegations during that gig. I should point out, early in the that gig. Ishould point out, early in the day that gig. I should point out, early in the day he posted a video on youtube in the day he posted a video on youtube where he strenuously denied all of the youtube where he strenuously denied all of the allegations. Throughout the actual gig, Russell Brand was apparently quite distracted. At one point apparently quite distracted. At one point he apparently quite distracted. At one point he left his place entirely, he was also point he left his place entirely, he was also referring to notes and pieces was also referring to notes and pieces of was also referring to notes and pieces of paper frequently throughout the performance. His friends throughout the performance. His friends did not seem fazed, at the end of friends did not seem fazed, at the end of the friends did not seem fazed, at the end of the show, he received a standing end of the show, he received a Standing Ovation and applaud that lasted Standing Ovation and applaud that lasted several minutes. Brand still has performances to come over the next few has performances to come over the next few weeks and months, but facing next few weeks and months, but facing serious allegations, there are Question Marks about whether they will are Question Marks about whether they will go ahead. That are Question Marks about whether they will go ahead. They will go ahead. That was his standup comedy they will go ahead. That was his standup comedy you they will go ahead. That was his standup comedy you are they will go ahead. That was his i standup comedy you are referring Stand Up Comedy you are referring to, tell us more about the background of his career. Russell brand has been background of his career. Russell brand has been a background of his career. Russell brand has been a really background of his career. Russell brand has been a really high background of his career. Russell. Brand has been a really high Profile Figure brand has been a really high Profile Figure in brand has been a really high Profile Figure in the Entertainment Industry for the figure in the Entertainment Industry for the last figure in the Entertainment Industry for the last 20 years. He has had a lot of for the last 20 years. He has had a lot of mainstream success, but courted lot of mainstream success, but courted a lot of mainstream success, but courted a fair bit of Controversy Atong courted a fair bit of controversy along the courted a fair bit of controversy along the way. He started his early Entertainment Career as a stand up comedian, Entertainment Career as a stand up comedian, in Entertainment Career as a stand up comedian, in the early 2000, he catapuited comedian, in the early 2000, he catapulted to Household Status through catapulted to Household Status through hosting the spin off series of big through hosting the spin off series of big brother. He was presenting award of big brother. He was presenting award shows and appearing in hollywood films. In recent years, he has taken hollywood films. In recent years, he has taken a hollywood films. In recent years, he has taken a deviation of his career, he was has taken a deviation of his career, he was a has taken a deviation of his career, he was a fairly successful youtube but fairly he was a fairly successful youtube but fairly controversial. He has not been but fairly controversial. He has not been very but fairly controversial. He has not been very far away from controversy. In been very far away from controversy. In 2001, been very far away from controversy. In 2001, he been very far away from controversy. In 2001, he was dismissed as a presenter in 2001, he was dismissed as a presenter from mtv when he turned up to Work Presenter from mtv when he turned up to work the presenter from mtv when he turned up to work the day after the 9 11 terror to work the day after the 9 11 terror attacks dressed as 05ama bin laden, terror attacks dressed as 05ama bin laden, and terror attacks dressed as 05ama bin laden, and there was a scandal in 2008 laden, and there was a scandal in 2008 at laden, and there was a scandal in 2008 at the bbc. He was suspended after sending a series of offensive messages after sending a series of offensive messages to actor andrew sachs. He did eventually resign. Brand remains a hugely did eventually resign. Brand remains a hugely popular figure, he has miiiions a hugely popular figure, he has millions of followers across social media millions of followers across social media platforms, but now he faces such serious allegations, they are going such serious allegations, they are going to such serious allegations, they are going to be serious questions that he needs going to be serious questions that he needs to answer. Gur going to be serious questions that he needs to answer. Going to be serious questions that he needs to answer. Our reporter tom there. The italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said during a visit to the island of Lampedusa Which has seen a huge influx of migrants, that the future of europe is at stake. Speaking alongside the head of the european commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, she said all European Countries had to work towards a lasting, common solution. More than 8,000 migrants have arrived on the island over the past three days. Thats more than lampedusas local population which is around 6 or7,000. Nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in italy so far this year, almost double the figure by the same date last year. Lets hear what Giorgia Meloni had to say. What is at stake here is the future. President of underlying gnosis very well, and since the beginning of our work, i have found that she has been always extremely cooperative in this respect. I think it is extremely important. Now live to lampedusa to speak with valentina furlanetto, a journalist for radio21i. Do you think the words of Ursula Von Der Leyen in todays press conference go far enough to reassure local residents who are unhappy about Migrant Influx . About Migrant Influx . Good afternoon. About Migrant Influx . Good afternoon, from about Migrant Influx . Good | afternoon, from lampedusa, about Migrant Influx . Good i afternoon, from lampedusa, i about Migrant Influx . 13pm afternoon, from lampedusa, ithink afternoon, from lampedusa, i think that the words from Ursula Von Der Leyen were important, butjust words. She has seen the centre of migrants today, it was a different centre to what i have seen in the last three days. Now there are 1500 migrants inside. There were 8000 people, so there were problems with food, water, they didnt manage to sleep inside the centres. Some slept outside on the floor. It is completely different. What she has seen today is a kind of 5 star hotel. Its very different from what we have seen in the last few days. She said that she has got a plan of ten points to help italy, but we have already. Her points are just the same as what she singing again, one year ago it was almost the same. The only thing new is about the United Nations, because she said that may be they can speak together with the United Nations and do something for lampedusa and for italy. I am something for lampedusa and for italy. Iam not something for lampedusa and for italy. I am not sure that she got to the point, because she hasnt seen what we have seen. Just the point, because she hasnt seen what we have seen. What we have seen. Just very briefl , what we have seen. Just very briefly. How what we have seen. Just very briefly, how much what we have seen. Just very briefly, how much does what we have seen. Just very l briefly, how much does Giorgia Meloni, her handling of this, effective popularity among young voters . 0ne effective popularity among young voters . One of the aspects that she platforms on her election was anti immigration stance. Platforms on her election was antiimmigration stance. Giorgia meloni said antiimmigration stance. Giorgia meloni said before antiimmigration stance. Giorgia meloni said before the antiimmigration stance. Giorgia meloni said before the election, i antiimmigration stance. Giorgia i meloni said before the election, she said two italians thats the migrants wouldnt come to italy any more. The reality is really different, inside the government there is a part of the government, that take advantage of the situation. Giorgia meloni is a little bit weak now because of the situation on migrants. She tries to help lampedusa, but she cant manage. They have memorandum with europe, but as we know, they wait for many. It is constant to many. Thank you very much. A team sent by the Libyan Government based in tripoli has assessed that around a quarter of the buildings in derna were destroyed or damaged by the wall of water that ripped through the city. At least 891 buildings have been destroyed , with a further 211 buildings partially damaged and 398 others submerged in mud. The un says 11,300 people are now known to have died in the city, but thousands are still missing. 0ur middle east correspondent lina sinjab has the latest. Well, if you look at the figures that you mentioned, a quarter of the city destroyed, that needs a lot of aid, a lot of Emergency Rescue to pull out the bodies but also more than 30,000 people are now homeless. They need food and shelter, clean water, so the demand is quite high. While, probably some of the rescue are slow to get in, mainly because of the infrastructure conditions. We know that at least two ships docked at the Port Of Derna also found it difficult to off load because of the conditions of the port that is covered with mud and debris. The situation on the streets of derna is mud everywhere, more rubble is everywhere, it is a difficult situation. It is like an earthquake effect. Lots of countries stepped in, many arrived in benghazi, but definitely, it is not compared to the demand that is being assessed on a day in, day out basis. We have been looking at the short and medium term impact with infrastructure challenges. Of course, the aid efforts with the humanitarian crisis unfolding, what is likely to be the long term impact of this . Given that libya has already had quite a bit of turmoil and a fractious government since the overthrow of colonel gaddafi. This is completely different to factions fighting or challenging each other on who gains power. This is a National Catastrophe and people in derna and the east are blaming the government, they have received no warning, they were complaining about cracks in the dams and the government didnt respond. It is really hard to see that there would be more inefficiency going forward. Now its time for a look at todays sport. They can be much indeed. The world champions in south africa, and the way in an hour. That is the first of three more games today in france. Its the second time south africa and romania have faced each other in and romania have faced each other in a test match, the last time back to the world cup in 1995. Two exciting matches later on to look forward to, a strainer take on Fijian Pudsey and england take onjapan. Last weeks victory over argentina resulted in a poor result going into the tournament. The former england scrum half matt dawson feels they have to be on their guard. Japan scrumhalf matt dawson feels they have to be on their guard. Japan are auoin to have to be on their guard. Japan are going to be have to be on their guard. Japan are going to be a have to be on their guard. Japan are going to be a challenge, have to be on their guard. Japan are going to be a challenge, they have to be on their guard. Japan are going to be a challenge, they are i going to be a challenge, they are posing going to be a challenge, they are posing challenges in the way they play expansive, fast and furious. They play expansive, fast and furious. They are play expansive, fast and furious. They are going to have to be wary of that they are going to have to be wary of that there they are going to have to be wary of that. There is no question englands attack that. There is no question englands attack will that. There is no question englands attack will click some stage full stop maybe it will be tonight, but i am england will win rather than concentrate on scoring a lot of tries~ concentrate on scoring a lot of tries~ It Concentrate on scoring a lot of tries. It early in the tournament to talk about tries. It early in the tournament to talk about this, i think england are good talk about this, i think england are good enough to get to the semifinals, there is no question about semifinals, there is no question about that. The draw has helped thenr about that. The draw has helped then the about that. The draw has helped them. The run of games will help then them. The run of games will help them. After this game, they have got chilly them. After this game, they have got chiiiy and them. After this game, they have got chilly and samoa, they should be winning chilly and samoa, they should be winning them and Building Momentum into the winning them and Building Momentum into the quarterfinal. Players are going into the quarterfinal. Players are going to into the quarterfinal. Players are going to have to step up, there is no question. They have got potentially world class players. They potentially world class players. They have got players at a world class levels in the u years gone world class levels in the u years gone by world class levels in the u years gone by. We need to see the likes of kyle sinckler, jamie george, those players kyle sinckler, jamie george, those players who have been world class, atong players who have been world class, along with players who have been world class, along with a players who have been world class, along with a george. These are names along with a george. These are names that along with a george. These are names that we have pledged before it has been names that we have pledged before it has been world class. Now, on the world has been world class. Now, on the world stage, thats where they need to be world stage, thats where they need to be if world stage, thats where they need to be. If they are, england are going to be. If they are, england are going to to be. If they are, england are going to be a Dangerous Team and players going to be a Dangerous Team and players will hope england dont get to that players will hope england dont get to that level because they will be hard to to that level because they will be hard to beat. In to that level because they will be hard to beat to that level because they will be hard to beat. Hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth after hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth after their hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth after their first hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth after their first win hard to beat. In the premier league, bournemouth after their first win of. Bournemouth after their first win of the season, they are up against chelsea who did the double over them last season. A big game for both everton and arsenal later on, the gunners are looking to keep pace at the top of the table. Everton just a point so far this campaign. In spain, Mason Greenwood has been named on the bench after his loan move. Real madrid can go back to the top of the table with a win over real sociedad. Thats after barcelona beat real bettis 5 0 on saturday. In cricket, its been a tough day for sri lanka. 0ne saturday. In cricket, its been a tough day for sri lanka. One of the greatest Bowling Spells for india. Four wickets in just 1 over. India need just 151 runs to win the asia cup, they have begun their run chase 19 without loss. The one day series between south africa and australia injohannesburg, the tourists went task, the captain was run out for a second ball duck. And miss outjust on his run. Australia will bat shortly. That is all the sport from us for now. It will be on later on. The north Korean Leader kim jong un has left russia after an extended visit to the countrys far east region. Here he is boarding his armoured train in the russian city of artyom, bound for the north korean border. Mr kim does not usually travel by aeroplane and his last exccrusion by aeroplane and his last excursion outside his own country was four years ago. During his visit he met President PutinIn Vladivostok on tuesday when the two men discussed deepining the military and economic ties between their two countries. Earlier on sunday, mr kim visited an exhibit of Military Equipment at the Russian Far Eastern UniversityIn Vladivostok. According to a Statement Released by the regional governor, kim was given several samples of Military Drones and a bulletproof vest produced in the region. Its understood russia wants to conduct Military Trade with north korea and buy weaponry for its war in ukraine. The area of sea ice surrounding antarctica is well below any level previously recorded in the antarctic winter, satellite data shows. The map image shows the typical extent of sea ice at this time of year, specifically on the 14th of september. Thats the yellow dotted line, but the actual extent of ice is much less than the median. And as we head into the antarctic summer, much of he existing ice will continue to melt. Dr Caroline Holmes is a Polar Climate scientist with the British Antarctic survey. She explained the significance of the latest data. It is really concerning, just because it is so far, as you just mentioned, below the median records for sea ice in antarctica. As you say, sea ice forms through the winter, but we are about 1. 5 million Square Kilometres less than the average of september, and 1 million Square Kilometres less than the previous record low winter maximum level. It is a sign of how fast things can change in antarctica, maybe, we dont know yet, an indicator of Climate Change impacting the Antarctic Sea ice. How much more research would be needed to establish a more concrete link between the two . Some of the things we need to understand is may be something on the time scaling of antarctica. We only have a0 years of data of Antarctic Sea ice. We know it can vary a lot year to year and decade to decade. We dont have an understanding of what can happen naturally. Also more observations of things like the ocean, more analysis of Climate Models which we already have, to understand some of the processes of things that are hard to get a handle on. How serious is this in terms of its impact on the ecosystems and species on antarctica . There are lots of species around antarctica that are heavily adapted, they are used to living in a world with this polar sea ice that forms amounts each year. A lot of that Formation Amount will carry on, but if there is much less of that like were seeing now, it will affect creatures in the ocean that rely on how much light gets into the ocean, how warm the ocean is, and also creatures that rely on the sea ice to breed, like last year We Saw Penguin which checks that might not have survived due to a lack of sea ice because the sea ice melted too quickly in the summer. And obviously, weve got less ice this year than last year. There can be quite complex impacts. I was speaking to someone that was saying this trend can be reversed, do you agree . We know if we stop burning fossil fuels, we eventually stop Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, we can reverse the warming trend. We dont understand just how much of Global Warming is baked in the sea ice, so theres a lot more heat in the ocean, were not going to instantly remove that even if we stop burning fossil fuels, even if the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere become stationary or less. We just dont know how much of this is baked in, and how much we can change. We can limit future bad impacts if we can limit how much Carbon Dioxide we emit. You can find out a lot more about that story on the bbc news website. Get in touch with us on any story fancy talking about on twitter. Stay with us here on bbc news. Hello. Its still quite warm and humid, particularly across the south of the uk. Weve scattered showers and thunderstorms and well see two rounds of storms i think through the course of today. Weve already had the downpours in the southwest of the country. They are moving through parts of wales and into the midlands and you can see on the Satellite Picture these clumps of cloud here, these Storm Clouds Drifting in from the warm south. And then i think later on today well see another round of storms possibly reaching south eastern areas. But this is what it looks like around the middle of the afternoon. So that Thundery Rain Moving Northwards through wales into the midlands and into east anglia. The south may actually have some sunshine, but the risk of thunder and lightning continues through this evening and overnight. In fact, you can see this next area of storminess affecting the south east. And actually therell be plenty of cloud and outbreaks of rain in other parts of the country as well. In the northwest, outbreaks of rain, Western Parts of scotland, too. And with the air coming in from the south, its a mild night, 11 in stornoway, 16 Degrees Celsius in the south and then monday is that transition day. Cold fronts a couple of them crossing the country by definition. The air, at least relatively speaking, is colder. Behind the weather front, its this westerly push of atlantic air behind it, i think sunshine and showers for many Western Areas of the uk as this cold front sweeps across the country. Now its not particularly cold air because look at that, temperatures are still around 17 to 20 degrees across england and wales, in Northern Ireland and scotland closer to 15. Now midweek tuesday into wednesday, quite a strong jet stream is going to push a ex Tropical Cyclone or ex Tropical Storm hurricane our way. Some strong winds in association with this area of low pressure, Gale Force Winds around some coasts, really blustery inland. But because this is an ex tropical system, theres a lot of warm and humid air sort of mixed in it. So thats why despite the wind and the rain, temperatures in some spots could still nudge up to around 18 or 20 Degrees Celsius. And its a broad area of low pressure, meaning that itll take time for it to sweep across the country. So i think on wednesday, once again, another blustery day with a spell of heavy rain as this cold front moves across the country. And again, look at that 22 in norwich, around about 16 expected in belfast. So a turbulent week on the way. This is bbc news. The headlines. The president of the european commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, and italys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, visit the italian island of lampedusa, as thousands of migrants arrive in numbers that surpassed the islands population. We will decide who comes to the European Union and under what circumstances, and not the smugglers and traffickers. What is at stake here is the future that europe wants to set for itself. British actor and comedian Russell Brand is accused of rape, Sexual Assault and emotional abuse. The details are contained in a joint report by the sunday times, the times and the Channel A Programme dispatches. He denies the claims. Anger grows among survivors in libyas flood ravaged city of derna as authorities in the east of the country blame nature for the disaster. The United Nations says the number of people known to have died has reached around 11,300. Now on bbc news the travel show. My name is lucy edwards, and this is my first time injapan. Yay 0oh, its a latte im experiencing it through sound, taste, smell and touch. All the colours taste different different, yes im a content maker, activist and broadcaster