09/08/2014 BBC Weekend News

The BBC understands that a British cargo plane carrying humanitarian

aid supplies to Iraq has taken off from RAF Brize Norton this morning.

It comes as America carried out a second air

drop of food and water to thousands of Yazidi people left stranded

on a mountainside in Northern Iraq, after fleeing Islamist fighters.

Back in action over Iraq, US fighters and armed drones striking

cine militant positions near the bill. Washington's intervention

prodded by a rapid new advance by the militants now known as the

Islamic state. They have taken several towns and the vital knows

all down. But while President Obama says he is ready to authorise more

air strikes if necessary he also insists he won't be dragged into

another Iraq war. American combat troops will not be returning to

fight in Iraq because there is no American military solution to the

larger crisis there. What we will do is continue our broader strategy in

Iraq, we will protect our citizens, work with the international

community to address this humanitarian crisis, we will help

prevent these terrorists from having a permanent safe haven from which to

attack America. There has also been a second wave of American human

Terry and aid drops on Mount Sinjah. Most of the people from the minority

Yazidi sect, some relief as the eight floats down on parachutes. We

are talking about 25,000 children who continue to be stranded in the

mountains around Sinjah. That follows mass displacement that took

place on Sunday morning. We are talking about people who are in

desperate need for water, for hygiene, for food, for shelter and

most of all for safety and protection. The first British aid is

also now on its way, as others consider joining the effort. This is

a humanitarian disaster on a potentially on a massive scale.

President Obama has already said that it has the potential to become

a genocide, and that is why it is important for Australia to join

without international partners in doing what we can to render

humanitarian assistance. But whether the US led intervention will be

enough to relieve the humanitarian crisis, or tilt the military balance

on the ground, is uncertain. In London there will be a emergency

government Cobra committee meeting. What are we expecting from that this

afternoon? This meeting is going to focus primarily on the British

humanitarian aid effort in Iraq. The cargo plane that took off this

morning was carrying supplies can such as tents and clean water. I am

also told that this meeting, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, Philip

Hammond, we'll look at the Iraq issue more broadly. Downing Street

is very much dismissing any suggestion that this could lead to

some sort of combat role in Iraq. A source said you could never tell

what would happen in Iraq in the much longer term, but there is

nothing on the table at the moment. I think in reality the government

censors that there is very little in the way of public appetite for any

kind of -- the government senses. It could not be sure that MPs would

back it the parliament full stop is for David Cameron, he is still on

holiday but I am told is going to be having a phone call with President

Obama this afternoon. Israel says it's struck over 30

sites in Gaza earlier this morning, following the end

of the three day ceasefire Palestinian militants have also

fired more rockets into Israel. Our Middle East Our Middle East

correspondent James Reynolds is Israel has struck a number of sites

since midnight, more than 30. We saw one of those strikes about three

hours ago in Gaza next to the coast. There was a huge plume of smoke at

as Israel went after a building there. We did not hear of any

casualties there but Israel says that Hamas made a very big mistake

in rejecting an extension of Friday's cease-fire, the cease-fire

that ended on Friday, and because of that, Israel said it has resumed its

air strike. Palestinians say they are still checking the number of

casualties from overnight. There is once gesture that over -- there is

one suggestion that up to five people may have been killed in the

centre of Gaza. Negotiators may feel that there is a chance to get the

truce talks back on track. Indirect talks had been held in Cairo but the

differences between the two sides are vast. Hamas wants Israel to end

its restrictions, Israel wants Hamas to give up its weapons for good.

That is the difference that mediators have to bridge.

Meanwhile, police say up to 20,000 people are expected to take part

in a march in Central London today, in protest against the Israeli

Demonstrators gathered in Oxford Circus; they're expected to make

Their way to Hyde Park during the course of the afternoon.

The Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has declared the outbreak

of Ebola a national emergency, and has approved a fund of more than

Almost a thousand people have died from the virus in West Africa.

There are also reports that a hospital in Canada has quarantined

a patient, over fears he may be infected with Ebola.

So far, more than 950 people have died from Ebola in West Africa, two

of them in Nigeria, a country that, until now, has never before seen the

virus. It is deadly, easily spread and difficult to contain. The

Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has declared the outbreak

of Ebola is a national emergency. More than ?6.5 million has been

approved to try and contain it. Goodluck Jonathan approved

additional steps to contain the virus, additional isolation

centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional

personnel, security at Borders and the procurement of required items.

The world health organisation has said the spread of Ebola in West

Africa is an international health emergency. Experts say this outbreak

is unusual, because it started in Guinea, which is the first time it

has been affected, and is spreading to urban areas. In Canada, a patient

who recently visited Nigeria is being treated for fever and flu-like

symptoms in the Toronto area. It is too early for experts to know if it

is Ebola. Health officials warn the virus could continue spreading in

West Africa for months. Parts of England were hit

by flash flooding overnight, causing disruption to homes

and roads, and leaving some drivers In Cambridgeshire,

a clean-up operation is underway after torrential rain caused power

cuts and a riverbank to collapse. More wet and windy weather is

expected tomorrow, when the remnants of Hurricane

Bertha are forecast to hit the UK. Cricket, and England remain in

command in the third day of the fourth test against India, after

play was called off yesterday due to rain. Fine weather at Old Trafford

allowed Joe Root and Jos Buttler to reach their 100 partnership but both

batsmen were subsequently dismissed, and at lunch England were 325-8,

that is a lead of 173. However hard you plan, whatever you budget for,

where ever you come from, cricket needs son. But Old Trafford on

Saturday morning, an area of the outfield which defied drainage had

dried up enough to allow play, and while the sunshine, of course, make

a. -- make hay. Joe Root guided the ball right towards that problem

patch, he came fielder Kumar bravely into the mud. Root got the better of

that deal. That was him to 54 is that it has been a sum of recovery

the Joe Root. -- that was him to 50. Imagine if you had bought a ticket

and found yourself seated behind. Kumar's mood did not improve when he

produced an edge from Buttler's back. Tough, but when you are

behind, you really need to take them. Root and Buttler continue to

flourish for England. Time is still of the essence. Watch the clock and

watch the clouds. Everyone knew Sunday's forecast was awful. Score

quickly, get, England's basic idea. It was going well, but even an

ardent England fan would have some empathy with Singh. A faint touch

from Reid. He finally had his first test wicket. -- from Root. He had

certainly done his job. You can see more on all of today's

stories on the BBC News Channel. The next news on BBC One is at 20 past

for now. A very good afternoon. Last week,

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