with up to 46 million people choosing a new government. a democratic strategist tells the bbc the party only has a matter of days to decide whetherjoe biden continues or withdraws from the presidential race. continues or withdraws we continues or withdraws need to get this done, also for we need to get this done, also just for the good of the country and the republican party, the party need to know what is going on. we're oh the american people that. —— we owed the american people that. —— we owed the american people that. —— we owed the american people at. hamas says it's sent what it describes as �*new ideas�* to mediators aimed at ending the war in gaza. and could cutting edge ivf treatment in zoos be the solution for white rhinos in the wild? hello, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. three hours of fast—moving news, millions of people in the uk

are voting in the general election. 40,000 polling stations in 650 seats are open until ten o'clock in the evening. it is the first general election where voters will need to show phototgraphic id. many of the party leaders have been casting their ballots this morning, as our political correspondent sean curran now reports. it's decision time. across the uk, tens of thousands of polling stations opened at 7:00 this morning. the prime minister, rishi sunak, cast his vote in yorkshire. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, voted in north london. the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, posed for photographers in southwest london. and the snp leader, john swinney, walked to a village hall in perthshire to cast his vote. in north wales, the plaid cymru leader rhun ap iorwerth voted in anglesey and the green co—leader carla denyer cast her vote

in the west of england. many people have already voted by post, including the leader of reform uk, nigel farage. the polls are open until 22:00. you'll need to show an accepted form of photo id, such as a passport, driving licence or an older or disabled person's bus pass. if you've asked for a postal vote and it hasn't turned up, you can go in person to your local council to ask for a replacement ballot paper before 5pm. and if you've got a postal vote but haven't sent it back, you can still drop it off at the polling station today in england, scotland, and wales or ask someone else to do it on your behalf. at this royal mail office, they're sorting through completed postal votes to get them to the right place to be counted. if somebody opts to vote by post, we will get the postal vote to them. that goes out in something

we call a ballot pack. they then return the postal vote and it's got a clear, purple strip in it. all our machines are set up to automate that process. but on the very final day, we do a final—day sweep just to make sure everything that comes through, even on the very last day, we can get to the returning officers. and here in london, that's to 16 different returning officers. most of us vote in person, whether it's at a laundrette, a hairdresser�*s, or at the local hall. and some of us take our best friend. voting is taking place for all 650 seats in the house of commons. the candidate with the most votes in each constituency will be elected as an mp. to secure a majority and form a government, a political party needs to win at least 326 seats. sean curran, bbc news, westminster. let me show you the scene

live at westminster. as voters head to the polls, you can find all the latest including how the bbc reports polling day on the bbc news website and app. and a reminder — you can watch the general election results programme live on bbc one in the uk and here on the bbc news channel around the world from 9:55pm bst all the way into friday. stay with us as we bring you those results later as they come in live. to the us, where a democrat strategist and joe biden supporter has told this programme that the party has only a matter of days to decide whether mr biden continues or withdraws from the presidential race. the concerns are about the 81—year—old's mental agility after his performance during last week's televised debate with donald trump. a growing number of democrats say it's time for him to step aside butjoe biden himself insists he won't quit.

lindy li is going to be one of the delegates at a meeting of the democratic national convention next month — she is a major democratic party fundraiser from pennsylvania, and she has told us that mr biden has herfull backing. i will stick with president biden for as long as he decides to stay in the race. he is the only person who can hold this disparate coalition together, a democratic president needs that. he has the white working class, black americans, young americans as well. although support amongst this demographic appears to be cratering a little after the debate. we are still eagerly awaiting after the debate for the results and nobody can make an informed judgment without the data and seeing the precise data from places like pennsylvania, michigan and wisconsin, georgia, nevada. itrailien and wisconsin, georgia, nevada. when did ou last and wisconsin, georgia, nevada. when did you last directly _ and wisconsin, georgia, nevada. when did you last directly speak to joe did you last directly speak tojoe biden yourself? and how did his

mental health eight agility strike you then? i mental health eight agility strike ou then? . . mental health eight agility strike ou then? .. ,., mental health eight agility strike ou then? , you then? i can tell you exactly, june 27, around _ you then? i can tell you exactly, june 27, around 11:15pm, - you then? i can tell you exactly, l june 27, around 11:15pm, because you then? i can tell you exactly, i june 27, around 11:15pm, because i june 27, around 11:15pm, because i had the time stamp, i was excitedly texting my family saying, the president asked about you specifically. he asked, i don't want to embarrass my family, but the president told my family something specifically and he asked me the night of the debate, do they remember what i told them? is every word completely melts my heart, he is one of the most kind and compassionate people i have ever met. even putting politics aside, i want to tell you, and i say this with every ounce of my being, he is a fundamentally good man, truly. it really comes down to six states, the swing states, so we need to look closely at what impact the debate has had. at the same time, it would not be the first time a mild or

drastic swing has been driven by a media narrative. iam not drastic swing has been driven by a media narrative. i am not saying at all that anyone is exaggerating what happened, i am all that anyone is exaggerating what happened, iam not all that anyone is exaggerating what happened, i am not here to paint a different picture, i want to tell the truth is i see it. we must consider whether the dip is temporary, and i want a holistic view of what is going on in those battleground states which will determine who is next occupant at the oval office.— the oval office. how long do you thinkjoe biden _ the oval office. how long do you thinkjoe biden has _ the oval office. how long do you thinkjoe biden has to _ the oval office. how long do you thinkjoe biden has to prove - thinkjoe biden has to prove himself? fix, thinkjoe biden has to prove himself? �* , , ., ., himself? a few days, it is a matter of da s, himself? a few days, it is a matter of days. for— himself? a few days, it is a matter of days, for sure. _ i also spoke to a democratic campaigner in the us state of georgia, marc schlather. he told me president biden needs to be given time in order to improve his poll ratings. once people start paying attention to the things that donald trump actually wants to do, and especially this project 2025, i'm not sure if there's been discussion of that on your show, but project 2025

essentially ends american democracy as we know it. so once people start paying attention and that happens in american presidential elections on labour day, which is the first monday in september, that's when people generally start to pay more and more attention. and once they hear whatjoe biden wants to do and has done versus what donald trump intends to do, i think it's going to be an easy choice. but he doesn't have until then, does he? i mean, there have been suggestions that he's only got a few days, really, to make sure that he can maintain support. we are seeing people come out publicly expressing their concerns, even people who have been strong supporters ofjoe biden until now. and if kamala harris is a potential, she is one of others, and if the democratic party wants to do this, it can surely find a way to make the changes on the ballots and move the funding. well, the only way they can move the funding is if kamala harris does it, and kamala harris isn't

going to do it unlessjoe biden asks her to do it. so the party is waiting to, you know, the people that are waiting to hear from joe biden, i think, have already heard from him. now, that may change. and if that changes, i respect his judgment immensely. and if he decides he needs to pull out for whatever reason, then i will respect that decision. but i don't view that as a possibility. as to moving on to somebody else, we have a deep bench. we have some wonderful governors. andy beshear of the deep red state of kentucky, is a democrat who's been elected twice and works well with their republican legislature. gavin newsom from california. gavin newsom, the governor of california, is campaigning forjoe biden this weekend. so, you know, there's a lot of, you know, there's a saying here in american politics, "republicans fall in line, "democrats fall in love," and democrats tend to get nervous at the least thing.

and this is not a least thing. this is a big deal. butjoe bidenjust simply needs to appeal to the will of the american people and rebuild the confidence they've had in these four years. let's turn to the middle east. israel has confirmed it is evaluating what it's described as new "comments" submitted by hamas to qatari and egyptian negotiators attempting to end nine months of conflict in gaza. the proposals relate to efforts to secure the release of the israeli hostages still being held in gaza, and to achieve a ceasefire. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell has more on this. we have heard that hamas says it has responded in a positive spirit to the dealfor a responded in a positive spirit to the deal for a ceasefire and hostage release that is currently on the table. that's basically the deal that was laid out, a three phase plan by president biden back at the end of may, when he said that this was a plan that was coming

from the israeli side. now what we understand is that, in order to look through those hamas comments, there's going to be a meeting later of the israeli negotiating team and that there'll also be, after that, some kind of meeting of the israeli security cabinet as well. we're also expecting this to be a big subject of conversation between the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, when he has an expected call with the us president, joe biden. hamas, as we know, is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by several countries, but many of those in gaza are still fiercely loyal to the group. however, there are now signs that fear of speaking out against the group is waning, as our middle east correspondent lucy williamson explains. and a warning, some viewers may find some scenes in this report distressing. in gaza, now the anger is notjust against israel, but against hamas. scenes like this, unthinkable before the war, are growing more common. "enough killing, damn you," this university teacher screams, "you're scum! "this leadership does

not represent us. "it does not represent us." the teacher was filmed after hundreds of palestinians were killed and injured in an israeli raid to rescue hostages last month. some have openly criticised hamas for hiding the hostages in a busy marketplace or firing rockets from civilian areas. hamin publicly opposed hamas before the war and was arrested by its security forces several times. now, he says, people are less afraid to speak out. translation: in gaza, most people criticise i what hamas has done. some people are even calling their livestock by the names of certain hamas leaders. it has a lot of support amongst those outside gaza's borders who are sitting under air conditioners in their comfortable homes, who have not lost a child, a home, a future, a leg. desperation is eroding social control in gaza.

there are those still fiercely loyal to hamas, and it's hard to assess how many of them are turning away. but even some on the group's own payroll are wavering. 0ne senior hamas official, speaking anonymously to the bbc, said the 7th of october attacks were a crazy, uncalculated leap with a devastating impact on gaza's people. hamas is battling for control on the streets. its police targeted by israeli forces. unofficial security squads have been filmed punishing looters. and a well—placed source described bloody score—settling with other armed groups in places

where israel's army had withdrawn. before the war, gaza's sharp political divisions were largely hidden under a blanket of fear. but fear is only relative to what you have to lose. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. a former teacher has been sentenced to six and a half years having sex with two schoolboys. 30—year—old rebecca jones from salford had a baby with one of the boys. she was found guilty of sex sex offences after a trial at manchester crown court in may. she was on bailfor sexual activity of the first boy and became pregnant by the second. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the net police in london has

launched a review of its investigation into an incident at a school where two pupils died after a land rover crashed into 80 party. in theirfirst land rover crashed into 80 party. in their first interview since the deaths, staff at the school in wimbledon have told the bbc that the met has failed to answer some key questions. it met has failed to answer some key cuestions. . , ~ ., ., ., questions. it was like a war zone. standin: questions. it was like a war zone. standing on _ questions. it was like a war zone. standing on the _ questions. it was like a war zone. standing on the lawn _ questions. it was like a war zone. standing on the lawn where - questions. it was like a war zone. standing on the lawn where their| standing on the lawn where their pupils died, when a land rover smash for the children here. the pupils died, when a land rover smash for the children here.— for the children here. the car had one on for the children here. the car had gone on to _ for the children here. the car had gone on to the — for the children here. the car had gone on to the building, - for the children here. the car had gone on to the building, entered| for the children here. the car had i gone on to the building, entered the building. _ gone on to the building, entered the building. it_ gone on to the building, entered the building, it sort ofjumped back, debris, — building, it sort ofjumped back, debris, it — building, it sort ofjumped back, debris, it was everywhere. the eight-year-old _ debris, it was everywhere. tue: eight—year—old girl debris, it was everywhere. tte: eight—year—old girl had debris, it was everywhere. tt2 eight—year—old girl had just been celebrating at an end of term party, tables and mats laid out. muriatic on a talented and chatty, selena hard—working with a twinkle in her eye. prosecutors last week decided not to charge the driver because they said she had suffered an epileptic seizure which hadn't

previously been diagnosed, decision the school struggles were. t was the school struggles were. i was very surprised- _ the school struggles were. i was very surprised. i— the school struggles were. i was very surprised. i think _ the school struggles were. i was very surprised. i think we - the school struggles were. i was very surprised. i think we were l the school struggles were. t —" very surprised. i think we were very surprised, as was the whole community, really. tote surprised, as was the whole community, really. we waited and waited and — community, really. we waited and waited and gave _ community, really. we waited and waited and gave the _ community, really. we waited and waited and gave the police - community, really. we waited and waited and gave the police and - community, really. we waited and | waited and gave the police and cps the time _ waited and gave the police and cps the time and space to make the decision — the time and space to make the decision. now we feel very angry and sad and _ decision. now we feel very angry and sad and upset confused. but decision. now we feel very angry and sad and upset confused.— sad and upset confused. but their createst sad and upset confused. but their greatest frustrations _ sad and upset confused. but their greatest frustrations with - sad and upset confused. but their greatest frustrations with the - sad and upset confused. but theirj greatest frustrations with the met police, its investigation and what they see as a failure to answer questions since the decision not to prosecute. questions since the decision not to rosecute. ., , prosecute. there were numerous questions, — prosecute. there were numerous questions, they _ prosecute. there were numerous questions, they were _ prosecute. there were numerous questions, they were unable - prosecute. there were numerous questions, they were unable to l questions, they were unable to answer— questions, they were unable to answer them. that has made the last week incredibly difficult.— week incredibly difficult. police said that their _ week incredibly difficult. police said that their officers - week incredibly difficult. police said that their officers worked l said that their officers worked tirelessly through every detail of the incident to ensure a thorough investigation. tt the incident to ensure a thorough

investigation.— investigation. it did not look like that to us. _ investigation. it did not look like that to us, that _ investigation. it did not look like that to us, that each _ investigation. it did not look like that to us, that each of- investigation. it did not look like that to us, that each of those . investigation. it did not look like i that to us, that each of those three meetings, — that to us, that each of those three meetings, because they could not answer_ meetings, because they could not answer some of those questions. you both shake answer some of those questions. tm. both shake your head there. answer some of those questions. you both shake your head there. i - answer some of those questions. you both shake your head there. i think. both shake your head there. i think the words of _ both shake your head there. i think the words of torah _ both shake your head there. i think the words of torah and _ both shake your head there. i think the words of torah and tireless - the words of torah and tireless suggest you would have a body of evidence that you would be able to share. —— words of thorough. a lack of fairness is how appears. d0 share. -- words of thorough. a lack of fairness is how appears.- of fairness is how appears. do you feel let down _ of fairness is how appears. do you feel let down by _ of fairness is how appears. do you feel let down by the _ of fairness is how appears. do you feel let down by the police? - of fairness is how appears. do you feel let down by the police? at - of fairness is how appears. do you | feel let down by the police? at the end of this process, _ feel let down by the police? at the end of this process, at _ feel let down by the police? at the end of this process, at this - feel let down by the police? at the | end of this process, at this moment in time, it would appear to be that i have been let down by them. the met has decided it would review its investigation, saying it has listened to concerns from the family of the victims and others affected. last week the driver, claire freemantle, expressed her deep sorrow to the families and said she had no recollection of what took place. the flowers on the lawn

planted by those in the community as a tribute. t planted by those in the community as a tribute. . ~ ., ., ., a tribute. i talked to her about how wonderful she _ a tribute. i talked to her about how wonderful she was, _ a tribute. i talked to her about how wonderful she was, how— a tribute. i talked to her about how wonderful she was, how much - a tribute. i talked to her about how wonderful she was, how much we | a tribute. i talked to her about how - wonderful she was, how much we loved her. how much money and daddy loved her, —— mummy and daddy, and how much of a special girl she was. keep them safe that day and i will always live with that. —— we could not keep them safe that day. let's get some of the day's other news now. police in australia investigating the disappearance of a 12—year—old girl following a crocodile attack, have found human remains. the girl was reportedly attacked while swimming in a creek with her family near a remote town south of darwin, in the northern territory. the area is home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles, more than anywhere else in the world. the european union is expected to confirm later that it's putting import taxes or �*tariffs' of up to 37% on chinese—made

electric cars. it has accused china of unfair state subsidies and some are worried it will lead to a trade war. the eu's 27 member states will vote on it and china hopes it will bring a solution. ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the strategically important town of chasiv yar in the eastern donetsk region. there's been fierce fighting over the town that russia could use to advance further west. the ukrainian military said they had to pull back after defensive positions had been destroyed. hurricane beryl is beginning to engulf the cayman islands with heavy rains and roaring winds. this is the scene in georgetown, the capital of the cayman islands. despite being downgraded to a category three storm, local reports say some areas have already lost power. beryl has already swept the southern coast of jamaica with sustained winds of 220 kilometres an hour. the capital, kingston, was spared extensive damage, but in some areas buildings were destroyed. at least one person was killed.

tom hansen is injamaica with more on the scale of the damage. indie tom hansen is in jamaica with more on the scale of the damage.- on the scale of the damage. we are caettin a on the scale of the damage. we are getting a sense _ on the scale of the damage. we are getting a sense of _ on the scale of the damage. we are getting a sense of the _ on the scale of the damage. we are getting a sense of the damage - on the scale of the damage. we are getting a sense of the damage as l on the scale of the damage. we are i getting a sense of the damage as the day goes on and we get more daylight. i am standing on one of the main thoroughfares here and will try to safely cross. this is one of the sites there has been substantial damage, but there are people on the ground here who are clearing the way and that is why you are seeing cars able to pass what was once an impassable road. i want to show you the scale of this, because this is the size of the tree, its toll than me, it was yanked out of the earth from the sheer voracity of the wind, and i want to point out really interesting thing. the storms out at sea, sea level as that way others see as that way, the tree is pointed towards the

sea, because we are on the dirty side of the storm.— side of the storm. that was tom hanson. side of the storm. that was tom hanson- can _ side of the storm. that was tom hanson. can ivf _ side of the storm. that was tom hanson. can ivf fertility - side of the storm. that was tom i hanson. can ivf fertility treatment help white rhinos roaming wild on africa's savannas? researchers are trying to boost the genetic diversity of southern white rhinos in africa by harvesting the eggs of captive animals in zoos around europe. cross—breeding programmes in zoos mean that captive white rhinos have genes that are more diverse. here's our science editor rebecca morelle. santa is a 22—year—old adult southern white rhino. she's unable to have calves of her own, but scientists want her valuable genes to live on. she's having her eggs harvested. first, she's given some anaesthetic, and once the team are sure she's asleep, they get to work. a specialist team from germany has flown to dublin zoo for the procedure. santa is being checked all the time while she is under sedation. for the last week, she's been given a special hormone injection to help her produce eggs, but collecting them is far from easy.

it requires painstaking precision. the hope is, though, that she could help to safeguard the future of her species. the scientists want to harness santa's genes for the wild rhino population. southern white rhinos almost went extinct. there were just a few dozen left. now their numbers have recovered, but they're all descended from that tiny group, so they lack genetic diversity. but rhinos in zoos have been carefully crossbred so their genes are more mixed up. a wider genetic diversity gives a healthier population in terms of disease, in terms of their ability to survive. so santa having wonderful genetics that are worth preserving, we know from a previous reproductive assessment that she can't breed, the great thing about this is that santa will be represented in future generations of rhino. the scientists look inside santa's ovaries on the ultrasound.

the scientists look inside santa's ovaries. 0n the ultrasound, they locate her eggs inside follicles, small sacs of fluid that appear as dark circles. they extract them using an ultra fine needle. good. good reaction. it's taken years to develop and perfect this fertility technology. it's an extreme form of conservation, but scientists say it's vital. they are products of evolution for millions of years. and they didn't fail in evolution. they are not bullet-proof and the were wie: ., _ ., activity, and i think we have really the responsibility as scientists - to provide new solutions to make it possible that the rhinos can live another million years. in a makeshift lab, the researchers take stock of what they've found. l they've extracted four eggs. three are of high quality. they're packed up and will be taken to a fertility centre in italy

to create new southern white rhino embryos. rhino ivf is still in its infancy, but the hope is they could eventually be implanted in a female surrogate. it's a lot of effort. a lot of people invest a lot of energy and time and effort, and in the end, we actually come home with a few cells. but however, these cells have the potential to become embryos and to form a new rhino, a huge two—tonne animal so, yeah, it is worth it. but it's always a relief when we have a good outcome in the end. a few minutes after the procedure, santa is up — a little unsteady at first. although she doesn't know it, the eggs she's donated could make a big difference in ensuring the survival of future generations of southern white rhinos. rebecca morrelle, bbc news, dublin zoo. iam back i am back in about 15 minutes, but from me for now, goodbye. hello there. today for the northern half

of the uk we're looking at pretty widespread showers, but between shower clouds you will still manage to see a bit of sunshine. we've had some of that here in murray earlier in the day across the far north of scotland. it is cool though, particularly across scotland and to a degree, northern england, northern ireland with temperatures well below average for the time of year. glasgow just 13 degrees this afternoon. the average forjuly is 19 degrees and this a cool run of weather, is here to stay through the rest of this week and into the weekend. still, where thejuly sunshine comes out, it probably won't feel too bad, but for these northern areas, with the frequent showers, gusty winds gusting into the 40s of miles an hour, it's not going to feel great with those temperatures six degrees lower and the showers probably merging together to give some even longer spells of heavy rain in the hebrides and highland for a time. further southwards, high teens to low 20s with largely dry conditions for wales, midlands, east anglia, southern england. that's going to feel quite pleasant through the afternoon, even if temperatures are a little bit below par overnight.

tonight we see further showers for the north west of the uk and some rain starting to skirt into southern areas of england. temperatures by and large, similar to what we had last night. and then looking at the forecast for friday and saturday, an area of low pressure is going to develop right over the top of the uk. now, the first signs of that area of low pressure will be this area of rain that's affecting southern regions of england, perhaps southern parts of wales, for a time moving into east anglia. a much brighter day for scotland and northern ireland will be much more in the way of sunshine tomorrow, however not entirely dry, there will still be some showers knocking around. however, with a bit more sunshine, those temperatures will be coming up by two or three celsius, so overall it will feel like a better day. now the same area of low pressure continues to develop into saturday, so the rain is quite extensive across eastern areas of the uk and it may well be quite windy for these areas as well. the driest, sunniest weather will be across wales and south west england through the course of the afternoon. wherever you are, temperatures

continue to run a little bit below average and it will feel cool, i think, for east scotland and parts of eastern england for sunday. brighter to start off with, but it is a day of sunshine and showers, the showers turning widespread, heavy and thundery in places and those temperatures will continue to disappoint for this stage ofjuly. bye for now.

brussels has given the green light to new tariffs on chinese—made electric cars. but how confident can the european union be that china won't retaliate as the eu seeks to protect their motor industry? and we have a unique look at how a small—screen sensation is sparking a retail boom. from cakes to cocktails, stately home visits to even a special clothing range — we'll have more on the so—called bridgerton effect. welcome to business today, i'm mark lobel. the eu will impose tariffs of up to 37.6% on imports of electric vehicles made in china from friday, ratcheting up tensions with beijing in brussels' largest trade case yet. the payments will rack up on the balance sheet and should no breakthrough happen before november, the new charges will be due for payment. this is all because eu policymakers are worried europe

is being "flooded" by cheap chinese evs. their makers, they say, have had unfair government help. the eu trade chief valdis dombrovskis earlier told bloomberg there is no basis for china to retaliate. but the bloc is split over the issue. german car companies made around a third of their sales in china last year and don't want to provoke retaliation. also, bmw is among several western firms that makes evs in china for export to the uk. france, italy and spain though are in favour of the tariffs. hosuk lee—makiyama is the director of the european centre for international political economy. actually at the beginning of the road. the technical consultations on this matter started actually early last week, and we will have about four months while the both sides are negotiating over this issue.

and of course, there are a number of, uh, leverages that china can exercise against european union, notjust retaliation, but also genuine concessions. sorry, what were those concessions look like? is it stuff that to do with inside china, or is it about moving production, for example? well, ideally, um, china could take these accusations of, uh, orallegations of, um, uh, these state subsidies seriously, but it is more likely that the concession will come in form ofjoint ventures and localisation of production inside europe, because this is actually what the chinese manufacturer wants. it's actually a good deal to actually go into the european market and start manufacturing inside europe, notjust to escape tariffs, but also we have to remember that there is a half century of craftsmanship inside the european union in various places that is really waiting

to build those chinese cars. so this is also the path that we have seen, for example, with the japanese manufacturers in the 80s and the 90s and the koreans came after. and everyone who wants to actually escape the tariffs, either through a trade agreement or political settlement like this that we have seen. the bar is very high for the eu to vote _ the bar is very high for the eu to vote against _ the bar is very high for the eu to vote against this. _ the bar is very high for the eu to vote against this.— vote against this. they are trying to cut emissions _ vote against this. they are trying to cut emissions target - vote against this. they are trying to cut emissions target in - vote against this. they are trying to cut emissions target in the - vote against this. they are trying | to cut emissions target in the eu. indeed, they are also very popular electrical vehicles or subsidies for european sorry, electrical vehicles have been a very good way for governments to basically incite

or increase popularity of government policy. um, we've seen that in places like france, but also in scandinavia. whenever the opinion polls go down, there seem to be a new subsidy package for evs or solar panels. and of course, china is very well aware of it. and they have basically geared the industrial policy towards those subsidies, subsidised sectors. and so this is a perfect storm of european subsidies and chinese subsidies coming together at this nexus. loud noises and large plumes of steam will be visible above the port talbot steelworks in wales on thursday as one of its historic furnaces will be closed down by friday. blast furnace five had been operating since 1959, but will shut as part of tata steel uk's restructure. port talbot�*s other furnace will end production of liquid iron in september ahead of the construction of a greener electric arc furnace next year. its closure comes amid a vast restructure of the owners,tata steel, uk's operations. joining us now is matt murray, our reporter, who's outside port talbot for us. how is the decommissioning going of what has been dubbed wales' worst

polluter? t what has been dubbed wales' worst olluter? . , ., polluter? i have been here all mornin: polluter? i have been here all morning and _ polluter? i have been here all morning and there _ polluter? i have been here all morning and there is - polluter? i have been here all| morning and there is currently polluter? i have been here all. morning and there is currently a polluter? i have been here all- morning and there is currently a lot of steam coming from close to blast furnace number five. of steam coming from close to blast furnace numberfive. we also had a large bang before he came on air. locals here have been told to expect lots of different sights and sounds from this site over the next 48 hours. it is well engineers changed the raw material inside the blast furnace to cool it down and part of the decommissioning process. that is resulting in lots different sights and sounds from here at the moment and sounds from here at the moment and it is due to close tomorrow. we can actually go in and have a bit of a closer look because this blast furnace opened in 1959 when furnace began, it produced 11,800 tonnes of weak steel, peaking in 2009 is producing more than 57,000 tonnes of

steel per week. injanuary, tata steel said they were closing both blast furnaces this year. they are losing £1 million a day keeping these running and they are also having to be greener. these are the biggest polluters in wales. they emit two tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of steel they produce. it is estimated that wales' overall emissions will drop between 15 to 20% when they close. they will be replaced with a green electric arc furnace but they will need a lot fewer people to operate those and there will be 2800 jobs lost from their site. that is also estimated that that figure will be a lot higher, even double that figure because a lot of contractors will lose theirjobs and also companies in the supply chain will also be affected when the blast furnaces close here.

affected when the blast furnaces close here-— affected when the blast furnaces close here. . ~' , ., , . netflix's small—screen sensation bridgerton has hooked in millions of viewers since it first aired in december 2020. so much so, netflix claims the "bridgerton universe" has added around £270 million to the uk economy. my colleague ben boulos explains just what's behind the so—called bridgerton effect. dearest gentle reader, the ton is simply abuzz with excitement this season. murmurings about a boost to businesses from what some are calling the bridgerton effect. word reaches me that some are inspired to make haste to afternoon teas like this one that would undoubtedly find favour with lady whistledown herself. i think people love to see the kind of dream world of, you know, the kind of the drama behind, the beauty, you know, kind of the royal kind of lifestyle.

it's very pretty here, obviously. it's very bridgerton—like, isn't it? so yeah, i think that's probably what it is. it's just a bit of a fantasy, i think. well, i have to admit, i've actually not seen it myself yet. but i know that my friend's a big fan, so for her birthday, i thought it'd be a little bit of a treat. and i have to say, ifeel quite inspired now to come and see it myself. i'm amazed to be here. i think it's so cool that they have like a whole thing centred around the show, because it's just so fun to watch. and it's like really cool to like — it's like, i love seeing the british characters and everything, kind of focused around that time period and everything is really cool to me. and there's more demand from those wanting their very own slice of society at home. an entire range of bridgerton—inspired stationery, crockery and clothes. so popular, this retailer informs me it frequently sells out of stock. and hushed whispers abound that some may even indulge in bridgerton—themed liquid refreshment. yet the greatest stir swirls around

a mysterious new arrival in the ton, and all the chatter in hallways and gardens is aboutjust who this enigmatic stranger could be. our very own nicola coughlan there — lord whisteldown — bridgerton boulos if you like. now — amazon stock hit a market high on wednesday — a good time to sell some stock, if you have it, you may think. that's exactly what its billionaire ownerjeff bezos is doing. he says he will sell another 25 million shares in the technology giant, worth nearly five billion dollars. and it was only 30 years ago tomorrow — onjuly 5th 1994 — that a youngerjeff started an online book store in his garage in bellevue, washington. and you know the rest. in three decades amazon has become

a global "everything store" — with a stock market value of over two trillion dollars. so where is it heading next? joining me to look into the crystal ball is natalie berg, retail analyst and founder of nbk retail. many people watching this will have taken a leap of faith with amazon and it would have changed their life. it was a unique journey, wasn't it? tt life. it was a unique “ourney, want not life. it was a unique “ourney, wasn't it? . , , .,' wasn't it? it was but it paid off because amazon _ wasn't it? it was but it paid off because amazon has - wasn't it? it was but it paid off because amazon has been - wasn't it? it was but it paid off because amazon has been one wasn't it? it was but it paid off i because amazon has been one of wasn't it? it was but it paid off - because amazon has been one of the most influential retailers of the zist most influential retailers of the 21st century. they completely revolutionised the way that we shop, they democratised e—commerce and as a result, the rest of the industry has been forced to raise its game which means that for us as consumers, today whether we are walking into a shop we are shopping online, we have an amazing experience and i think a lot of that is thanks to amazon's presidents. what was so unique about what they did? ~

what was so unique about what they did? . ., ~ what was so unique about what they did? ~ ., ~ ., ., , did? when we talk about what they did? when we talk about what they did now, it doesn't _ did? when we talk about what they did now, it doesn't sound - did? when we talk about what they did now, it doesn't sound very - did now, it doesn't sound very unique because it has become the norm but it is things like the marketplace model, the idea that you have a near infinite assortment online, you have access to millions of products right at your fingertips are not only that but they turn up very quickly. so that idea that delivery is fast, reliable and free. also, user generated ratings and reviews, that was very much on amazon innovation. and finally, one click checkout, the idea that you can cut as much friction as he can from the experience. again, we take these things for granted because they have become the norm today. most of those purchases are made within a couple of seconds or minutes. what does the future hold and what does ai play enter amazon's flament and its rivals? t and what does ai play enter amazon's flament and its rivals?— flament and its rivals? i think amazon got — flament and its rivals? i think amazon got to _ flament and its rivals? i think amazon got to where - flament and its rivals? i think amazon got to where it - flament and its rivals? i think amazon got to where it got i flament and its rivals? i think . amazon got to where it got today

because of it this relentless dissatisfaction with the status quo. they are always looking at ways to elevate the customer experience, they never sit still, they are open to the idea of failure, failure and innovation really go hand in hand so this idea of trying ideas, throwing things it's a role, failing fast and interestingly, after the pandemic what we have seen is the rest of the industry is really adopting this approach, this idea of perpetual innovation and was trying stuff out and seeing what works will stop its and seeing what works will stop its a little bit less certain for amazon in the future, it has done brilliantly... t in the future, it has done brilliantly. . ._ in the future, it has done brilliantly... i am so sorry to interruot _ brilliantly... i am so sorry to interrupt but _ brilliantly... i am so sorry to interrupt but that _ brilliantly... i am so sorry to interrupt but that is - brilliantly... i am so sorry to interrupt but that is the - brilliantly... i am so sorry to interrupt but that is the end | brilliantly... i am so sorry to l interrupt but that is the end of brilliantly... i am so sorry to - interrupt but that is the end of the time we have got. you are up—to—date.

this is bbc news. we are going to

take you to a england football press conference with john take you to a england football press conference withjohn stones. for conference with john stones. for eve one conference with john stones. fr?" everyone back home, me personally and the lads, to do something that has never been done before and get this trophy, i kind of similarfight down —— simplify it down to all those little things that i have just said and try to create our own history and that comes with all of the trophies i have won previously in my career and try to bring those attributes to the team, that hunger and the things i spoke to you about before, the things that you can't really coach or learn. it is almost that you are just born with it. winning a football game or going that extra yard to try and make this

happen and that is the dream, the belief that i definitely have. i think how they have played this tournament and the players that they have got, they have been brilliant. it is down to us now. me giving advice to the guys at the top and with manu, who is an exceptional player. i'm sure he is doing the same to his team—mates about me. they have got some great players and i think it will be a really good matchup for us, a good test for us.

we train of everyone in training, in different positions, and different scenarios. whether place, i have got massive faith in them. and obviously do not know what formation you will get, can you give us insight from a defender�*s point of view? t can you give us insight from a defender's point of view? i think the brim defender's point of view? i think they bring two — defender's point of view? i think

they bring two different - defender's point of view? i think they bring two different sides i defender's point of view? i think they bring two different sides of| they bring two different sides of they bring two different sides of the game, two different outlooks for us over the years, especially opposition wise as well. it causes them problems. ithink opposition wise as well. it causes them problems. i think are really fluid in both and that comes down to swami get out on the pitch. —— to us when we get out on the pitch. it's down to the manager what he decides to do, and what he sees their weaknesses and strengths that we can bring to the game, with whatever formation we decide to play. [30 bring to the game, with whatever formation we decide to play. do you feel that you — formation we decide to play. do you feel that you have _ formation we decide to play. do you feel that you have got _ formation we decide to play. do you feel that you have got a _ formation we decide to play. do you feel that you have got a lifeline, i feel that you have got a lifeline, is it about — feel that you have got a lifeline, is it about getting the result? i have is it about getting the result? have said is it about getting the result? i have said it for the past few is it about getting the result? t have said it for the past few games now that we have got to keep progressing and keep trying to play

our fluid football that we are used to but i don't want to discredit the other night. i thought we were going home after that, after 60 minutes of the game and to change the mindset of us all and keep that belief and faith is, you know, it has got a lot of power behind that for ourselves, other teams, everyone watching at home knows that we are there to do it right into the last minute, literally. i think we should take great confidence from that. that is not a thing that is easy to do, especially in high pressure game. understandably, the fans weren't happy with... we use that as understandably, the fans weren't happy with. .. we use that as fuel. that extra mile, we made it count. i

said after the game that now we have got to go to the training pitch as we have done this week and work on a few things and try and get as ourselves playing to where we were. i'm sure everyone at home and in the stands once that as well. to get to another quarterfinal is something that i am extremely proud of personally. 0ver that i am extremely proud of personally. over the years, that i am extremely proud of personally. 0verthe years, i that i am extremely proud of personally. over the years, i don't think we have been unsuccessful in our history at doing that so in my time that i have been here, to do it repeatedly every tournament, to be there is a big thing for us and we have got to grasp it with two hands and get to the next stage. obviously ou are all and get to the next stage. obviously you are all appreciative _ and get to the next stage. obviously you are all appreciative of— and get to the next stage. obviously you are all appreciative of what i you are all appreciative of what jude _ you are all appreciative of what jude managed to do. how is he

holding — jude managed to do. how is he holding up?— jude managed to do. how is he holding up? harry was lining up behind him _ holding up? harry was lining up behind him as— holding up? harry was lining up behind him as well— holding up? harry was lining up behind him as well and - holding up? harry was lining up behind him as well and jude i holding up? harry was lining up| behind him as well and jude was holding up? harry was lining up i behind him as well and jude was in a great position. he has done it all season, come up with the massive goals for madrid and here as well. i think you ever would have put it in, we would all have been feeling the same now and what an amazing moment for him personally and for us as a team. i hope he is there, i'm not sure what is going on with everything around that but the only thing we can focus on is hopefully scoring a bit earlier this time. taste scoring a bit earlier this time. we have had that as recon is as the man to come _ have had that as recon is as the man to come into — have had that as recon is as the man to come into this defensive trio. is it, to come into this defensive trio. is it. given _ to come into this defensive trio. is it. given the — to come into this defensive trio. is it, given the occasion, is he ready for that? — it, given the occasion, is he ready for that? i— it, given the occasion, is he ready for that? ~ , . , , for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't think—

for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't think anyone _ for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't think anyone of _ for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't think anyone of us - for that? i think if selected, yes. i don't think anyone of us know. for that? i think if selected, yes. i i don't think anyone of us know the exact team system yet. as i said, whoever plays in whatever position or partnership, is fairly ready. the sound is that i have seen in training from every player has been incredible so whoever steps in is worthy of being there —— the standards i have seen. you worthy of being there -- the standards i have seen. you have -la ed in standards i have seen. you have played in bia-finals, _ standards i have seen. you have played in bia-finals, 12 - standards i have seen. you have played in bia-finals, 12 lost i standards i have seen. you have | played in bia-finals, 12 lost one. played in 3/4—finals, 12 lost one. from _ played in 3/4—finals, 12 lost one. from what— played in 3/4—finals, 12 lost one. from what of that experience, do you sense _ from what of that experience, do you sense that _ from what of that experience, do you sense that this is an opportunity that does— sense that this is an opportunity that does not come around too often, one that _ that does not come around too often, one that you — that does not come around too often, one that you have to seize? absolutely, in the world cup we had another run that we felt we could win and it did not happen. i think we have got to use those sorts of

situations and learning curves to our advantage and we have got an incredible opportunity to get to another stage. incredible opportunity to get to anotherstage. i incredible opportunity to get to another stage. i am a big another stage. iam a big believer of, we have been in these positions before now and we have to realise where we are on the magnitude of these things and what we believe we can do and put that into practice. the managers have some criticisms from _ the managers have some criticisms from some — the managers have some criticisms from some fans. you know that you are at _ from some fans. you know that you are at the _ from some fans. you know that you are at the stage where the next game could be _ are at the stage where the next game could be his _ are at the stage where the next game could be his last as england manager. 0ther could be his last as england manager. other players using that as motivation. _ manager. other players using that as motivation, you want to win for him? i motivation, you want to win for him? i have _ motivation, you want to win for him? i have only— motivation, you want to win for him? i have only had about the criticism that he has been receiving, i saw some fans after one game throwing bottles to his direction. i am sure that will have only motivated him that will have only motivated him

that bit more. i could not tell you about his future or us even knowing anything about that as a team or me personally. 0f anything about that as a team or me personally. of course, we all in this room has spent time with him i know him as a person and especially how hard him and his backroom staff work. we want to win for them, ourselves, ourfamilies, and ourselves, our families, and everyone ourselves, ourfamilies, and everyone in the nation. when pep guardiola was coaching barcelona. — when pep guardiola was coaching barcelona, spain _ when pep guardiola was coaching barcelona, spain was _ when pep guardiola was coaching barcelona, spain was world - when pep guardiola was coaching i barcelona, spain was world champion and european — barcelona, spain was world champion and european champion. _ barcelona, spain was world champion and european champion. when - barcelona, spain was world champion and european champion. when he i barcelona, spain was world championl and european champion. when he was coaching _ and european champion. when he was coaching by— and european champion. when he was coaching by n, — and european champion. when he was coaching by n, germany— and european champion. when he was coaching by n, germany was - and european champion. when he was coaching by n, germany was world i coaching by n, germany was world champion — coaching by n, germany was world champion hie _ coaching by n, germany was world chamion. ~ . ., coaching by n, germany was world chamion. ~ . . ., coaching by n, germany was world chamiom . ., ., ., ., coaching by n, germany was world chamion. ~ . . ., ., , champion. we are leaving that a news conference to — champion. we are leaving that a news conference to bring _ champion. we are leaving that a news conference to bring you _ champion. we are leaving that a news conference to bring you some - conference to bring you some breaking news in the court case involving tv presenter holly

willoughby. security guard gavin plumb has been found guilty at chelmsford crown court at masterminding a plot to kidnap, rape and murder holly willoughby. he has been found guilty on all counts. we can get the very latest at chelmsford court. bring us up to date. , . , date. the jury have been deliberating _ date. the jury have been deliberating for - date. the jury have been deliberating for over i date. the jury have been. deliberating for over eight date. the jury have been - deliberating for over eight hours in the last few minutes, they have come back with verdicts of guilty on all three charges. that is gavin plumb, a 37—year—old security guard from harlow in essex in the uk was charged with incitement to kidnap holly willoughby, incitement to rape and incitement to murder. thejury heard evidence over about five days. they had that gavin plumb had a sexual obsession with holly willoughby. they were told about previous convictions that he had had

for attempted kidnap and false imprisonment. in 2006, he attempted to force two air stewardesses from a train, threatening them with a note saying that he had a gun. two years later, he was convicted for false imprisonment when 216—year—old girls whom he worked with in woolworths in harlow in essex, he force them into a room, one escaped and raised the alarm and for that he was sentenced to 32 months in prison. he was —— thejury were also to 32 months in prison. he was —— the jury were also told about years of graphic comments he had made on various internet groups, particularly in an app about holly willoughby where he talks about his fantasies about her kidnap and rape. he insisted these were fantasies but not reality, but the jury have found him guilty. he talks about carrying

out a home invasion on holly will be's house. he found her address online and sent maps of where she lived. he also identified abandoned buildings where he said she might be taken. he found a dungeon —type room there. he ordered cable ties of the internet. he also ordered chloroform of the internet and googled terms such as, how long does chloroform keep someone unconscious for? this had gone on for over two years. last 0ctober had gone on for over two years. last october in 2023, he had begun talking to a man known as dave nelson about his plans for holly willoughby. david nelson was an undercover police officer based in the united states and after several conversations with him, he alerted uk authorities. when david nelson gave evidence by video link, he said

that the kind of comments that gavin plumb had been making on a particular group raised alarm bells with him. but when the undercover police officer made direct contact with him, he said that gavin plumb sent him a video of a restrained kit including items like handcuffs, he sent him pictures of chloroform and he described his plan to go to holly willoughby�*s house to kidnap her, raped her and ultimately to murder her. those verdicts coming on in the last few minutes, guilty on three charges, incitement to kidnap, incitement to rape and incitement to murder against the well—known tv

presenter holly willoughby. any alleged victim in such a crime is entitled to lifelong anonymity. in this case, holly willoughby decided to waive her anonymity. thejury this case, holly willoughby decided to waive her anonymity. the jury was deliberating for over eight hours and thejudge has said deliberating for over eight hours and the judge has said that sentencing will take place a week tomorrow, july the 12th, friday. thank you very much indeed. gavin plumb, i'mjust reading, he has thank you very much indeed. gavin plumb, i'm just reading, he has been remanded in custody and is sentenced on the 12th ofjuly. we can bring in more on this with charlotte gallagher. holly willoughby, one of the uk's most popular and successful tv presenters. this was her final appearance on this morning before

her life changed dramatically. later that day, gavin plumb was arrested for plotting her kidnap, rape and murder. so, at the moment, you are under arrest for conspiracy to kidnap holly willoughby. i don't think so. not going to lie, she is a fantasy of mine. j i mean, she is a fantasy of a lot of guys, to be honest. - plumb had even assembled a kidnap kit which he filmed himself. metal cable ties, two sets of handcuffsm _ metal cable ties, two sets of handcuffs,..._ handcuffs, . .. police found chloroform _ handcuffs, . .. police found chloroform in _ handcuffs, . .. police found chloroform in his - handcuffs, . .. police found chloroform in his home i handcuffs,... police found l chloroform in his home and handcuffs,... police found i chloroform in his home and saw handcuffs,... police found - chloroform in his home and saw he had researched realistic looking air weapons. he had also scoured the internet how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities. and he found some, even sending voice notes about his plans. taste some, even sending voice notes about his lans. ~ . ., ., his plans. we are then going to force her on — his plans. we are then going to force her on video, _ his plans. we are then going to force her on video, just - his plans. we are then going to force her on video, just saying | his plans. we are then going to i force her on video, just saying that she came — force her on video, just saying that she came with— force her on video, just saying that she came with us— force her on video, just saying that she came with us under— force her on video, just saying that she came with us under her- force her on video, just saying that she came with us under her own i force her on video, just saying that i she came with us under her own well and is _

she came with us under her own well and is consenting. _ she came with us under her own well and is consenting, so _ she came with us under her own well and is consenting, so that— she came with us under her own well and is consenting, so that covers i and is consenting, so that covers us. �* ., ., and is consenting, so that covers us. but one of those people he met oane us. but one of those people he met online was — us. but one of those people he met online was in _ us. but one of those people he met online was in fact _ us. but one of those people he met online was in fact an _ us. but one of those people he met online was in fact an undercover i online was in fact an undercover policeman in the united states. he told him he knew where holly lived, head team, and how he was planning to abduct her. but detectives are so concerned that he contacted the fbi and police here. much of the evidence we have heard in court has been distressing, too graphic, violent to broadcast. gavin plummer was obsessed with holly willoughby and spent hours and hours discussing kidnap plans. he told thejury it wasjust a kidnap plans. he told thejury it was just a celebrity crush but they did not believe him. gavin plumb told the court he was just a fantasist but this is not the first time he has committed crimes like this. he has previous convictions for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment. t for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment-— for attempted kidnapping and false imrisonment. ., ., imprisonment. i would say that gavin plumb is a dangerous _ imprisonment. i would say that gavin plumb is a dangerous individual- imprisonment. i would say that gavin plumb is a dangerous individual to i plumb is a dangerous individual to women. that can be seen from his

previous convictions, where he has already overpowered women and it is demonstrated by the conversations he is having with others online. and the graphic and disturbing messages they were sending between themselves about what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it. halli?r they were going to do it. holly willoughby — they were going to do it. holly willoughby did _ they were going to do it. holly willoughby did not _ they were going to do it. holly willoughby did not appear in court but has worked with police. the victim has _ but has worked with police. the victim has been _ but has worked with police. tt2 victim has been very brave, we have beenin victim has been very brave, we have been in regular contact with holly willoughby and supported her as we would any woman or girl subjected to these offences, but she has waived her anonymity and has allowed the majority of this evidence to be heading court and reported on, which actually brings the issue of violence against women and girls to the forefront of everyone's mind and that's really important. this the forefront of everyone's mind and that's really important.— that's really important. this case is about sexual _ that's really important. this case is about sexual violence, - is about sexual violence, humiliation and degradation. gavin plumb said it was online chat, something that would never happen.

the jury something that would never happen. thejury decided his plans something that would never happen. the jury decided his plans were very real. charlie gallagher, bbc news. hello, i'm rich preston — you're watching bbc news. gavin plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder tv presenter holly willoughby, we will bring you more details as the story comes in. millions of people are voting in the general election here in the uk. 40,000 polling stations in 650 seats are open until ten o'clock in the evening. it is the first general election where voters will need to show phototgraphic id. many of the party leaders have been casting their ballots this morning, as our political correspondent sean curran now reports.

it's decision time. across the uk, tens of thousands of polling stations opened at 7:00 this morning. the prime minister, rishi sunak, cast his vote in yorkshire. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, voted in north london. the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, posed for photographers in southwest london. and the snp leader, john swinney, walked to a village hall in perthshire to cast his vote. in north wales, the plaid cymru leader rhun ap iorwerth voted in anglesey and the green co—leader carla denyer cast her vote in the west of england. many people have already voted by post, including the leader of reform uk, nigel farage. the polls are open until 22:00. you'll need to show an accepted form of photo id, such as a passport, driving licence or an older or disabled person's bus pass. if you've asked for a postal vote and it hasn't turned up, you can go in person to your local council to ask for a replacement ballot paper before 5pm. and if you've got a postal vote

but haven't sent it back, you can still drop it off at the polling station today in england, scotland, and wales or ask someone else to do it on your behalf. at this royal mail office, they're sorting through completed postal votes to get them to the right place to be counted. if somebody opts to vote by post, we will get the postal vote to them. that goes out in something we call a ballot pack. they then return the postal vote and it's got a clear, purple strip in it. all our machines are set up to automate that process. but on the very final day, we do a final—day sweep just to make sure everything that comes through, even on the very last day, we can get to the returning officers. and here in london, that's to 16 different returning officers. most of us vote in person, whether it's at a laundrette, a hairdresser�*s, or at the local hall. and some of us take our best friend. voting is taking place for all 650

seats in the house of commons. the candidate with the most votes in each constituency will be elected as an mp. to secure a majority and form a government, a political party needs to win at least 326 seats. sean curran, bbc news, westminster. let me show you the scene live at westminster as voters head to the polls. pretty quiet at the moment but that will change over the coming hours. you can find all the latest, including how the bbc reports polling day, on the bbc news website and app. and a reminder — you can watch the general election results programme live on bbc one in the uk and here on bbc news around the world from 9:55pm bst all the way into friday.

to the us now. joe biden has insisted again that he won't pull out of the us presidential race, despite appeals from a growing number of fellow democrats. mr biden, who's 81, says he would not be pushed out of november's election. but speaking to a local radio station in wisconsin, a key swing state he needs to win, the president did accept that last week's tv debate with donald trump had not gone well. take a listen. i had ihada i had a bad night. the fact of the matter is that, you know, i screwed up, i made a mistake. that is 90 minutes on stage, look at what i have done in 3.5 years. democratic party governors who met mr biden at the white house said they had pledged their support. earlier, two more democratic congressmen, raul grijalva and seth moulton, urged the president to step aside. peter bowes sent us this report. this is the biggest personal challenge facing joe biden since he launched his re—election campaign.

many democrats are widely reported still to be in panic mode a week after this. making sure we are able to make every single solitary person eligible for what i have been able to do with the covid — excuse me, with dealing with everything we have to do with, er... the president's fumbling performance during his debate with donald trump has led to growing calls from members of his party for him to abandon his bid for a second term. two democratic congressman have urged mr biden to step down, while us media outlets say a letter is circulating in the house of representatives with party members urging colleagues to sign to persuade the president to call it a day. but mr biden has, it seems, the backing of democratic governors after a meeting at the white house, where they said they had a frank discussion with the president. it was candid. i think that, you know, we always believe that when you love

someone you tell them the truth. i think we came in and we were honest about the feedback that we were getting, we were honest about the concerns we were hearing from people. we were also honest about the fact as the president continued to tell us that he was all in, we said we would stand with him. earlier, it was business as usualfor mr biden. he appeared at a ceremony to posthumously award medals to two civil war heroes. he ignored the shouts of reporters and left the white house press secretary to answer the question of the day. the president is clear—eyed and he is staying in the race. i don't have anything else beyond that. he is staying in the race. that is what the president has promised to do. later, the president spelled out his intentions in a campaign message to supporters. "i am the democratic party's nominee," he wrote, "no one is pushing me out. i am not leaving. i am in this race to the end."

americans will watch the 81—year—old closely over the next days when he is scheduled to give a high—profile tv interview and appear at a campaign rally. in the meantime, donald trump, who is 78, is pushing ahead in opinion polls, while more voters are saying joe biden is too old to be president. let's return to us politics later, but first to the breaking news in the last 30 minutes in the uk, and a security guard, 37—year—old gavin plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder tv presenter holly willoughby, we have had some reaction coming to this story. that's because straight to chelmsford crown court, our correspondent is there. what have we been hearing? taste correspondent is there. what have we been hearing?— been hearing? we have had a statement — been hearing? we have had a statement from _ been hearing? we have had a statement from the _ been hearing? we have had a statement from the police i been hearing? we have had a l statement from the police force

involved in this investigation, essex police, because of course gavin plumb lives in harlow in essex, detective chief inspector redwood, the senior investigating officer says, gavin plumb is a dangerous predatory individual, who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim. he was notjust simply egg obsessed with holly willoughby, he meticulously planned over a number of years to carry out a depraved and violent attack in which he uttered to deprive her of her liberty and ultimately held life. his claims in court that he was a fantasist are simply not true and were evidenced by the extent with which he plotted with others to carry out his wicked plan. gavin plumb also had a history of attacking other women, attempting to kidnap them using weapons and threats of violence. he is a dangerous man and i have no doubt he was determined to carry out the

actually plant. he continues, today we are extremely grateful to our law enforcement colleague in america who not only brought gavin plumb to our attention but helped gather the vital evidence that secured his conviction. we would also like to rank the victim, who was courageously supporting this case throughout and bravely waived her anonymity. today gavin plumb remains where he belongs, behind bars, and at essex police we will continue to do all we can to seek out those intent on causing violence and harm to women and girls and, like this defendant, put them behind bars. there are simply no place for dangerous individuals like him on either the streets of essex or wider society and we will do all we can to continue to make our communities safe for all. that is a statement from dci greg wood, the senior investigating officer at essex police. we have had a statement from

the cps, from their chief special prosecutor in this case. this is from nicola rice. she says, gavin plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation's most familiarfaces. despite his attempts to pass himself as a harmless threat, the prosecution persuaded the jury that gavin plumb posed a very real threat. the chilling details of his plans were laid bare with the help of an undercover officer from the us who allegedly fbi to the thread and the seriousness of gavin plumb's scheme is exposed when the prosecution successfully applied to tell the jury about gavin plumb's previous convictions. i hope his conviction brings some comfort to holly willoughby and her family, and those others that the crown prosecution service will always seek the strongest possible charges against those who plotted violence against those who plotted violence against women. that is a statement from specialist prosecutor nicola

rice of the cps. she is reacting to the news in the last half—hour that gavin plumb, a 37—year—old security guard from harlow in essex, has been found guilty of soliciting kidnap matt rape and murder of the tv presenter holly willoughby. == matt rape and murder of the tv presenter holly willoughby. -- the kidna - , presenter holly willoughby. -- the kidnap. rape- _ presenter holly willoughby. -- the kidnap, rape. mention— presenter holly willoughby. -- the kidnap, rape. mention that - presenter holly willoughby. -- the kidnap, rape. mention that he i presenter holly willoughby. -- the i kidnap, rape. mention that he denied the charges, but what kind of evidence that the prosecution have to present in court? the prosecution resented to present in court? the prosecution presented years _ to present in court? the prosecution presented years of _ to present in court? the prosecution presented years of online _ to present in court? the prosecution presented years of online messages| presented years of online messages and whatsapp messages between him and whatsapp messages between him and various individuals, particularly a man from ireland known only as mark, and the jury heard many of those messages where heard many of those messages where he described what he wanted to do to holly willoughby, how he intended to locate her house, how he did locate a house, how he intended to break in, and how he plotted her kidnap

and her rape. he also spoke about this on a messaging app called kick on the internet with other individuals, the police have not been able to identify. some of those messages, the graphic detail is such that we cannot really report them. he was speaking in broad terms about what he would like to do to holly willoughby and what his plans for her work. one of his defences, that this was just a fantasy, never something he intended to carry out, the prosecution showed messages he had written to other people like this one. it said, i have wanted this one. it said, i have wanted this for years. i'm going to be living out my ultimate fantasy. he also said that there were other defences he brought forward, saying his previous convictions where he was convicted of false imprisonment and attempted kidnap, these were actually not sexually motivated. he

told the jury that they were private help because he was in a toxic relationship that he wished to escape. he also said he brought chloroform and google terms like, how long does chloroform render an individual unconscious? because he wanted to get rid of a stain in his kitchen that nothing would shift and he was concerned about whether the fumes might overcome himself and a family member. in the end thejury listened to the evidence, they were out for more than eight hours and they came back with a unanimous guilty verdict, guilty of incitement to kidnap, rape, and murder holly willoughby. normally in a case where there is a sex offence, the alleged victim, holly willoughby in this case, is entitled to lifelong anonymity. in this particular case, she decided to waive her anonymity, which is why we cannot report her name in this case. we have not had

any reaction from her, sentencing will take place a week from tomorrow, friday the 12th ofjuly. in all cases where there is a victim and the victim is offered the opportunity to make a victim impact statements, lacking either be read in court also to the judge. —— that can be either red. that may be where we hear from can be either red. that may be where we hearfrom holly willoughby, her reaction to this case, but if we do hear anything before then, we will bring it straight to you. you mentioned _ bring it straight to you. you mentioned that _ bring it straight to you. you mentioned that in - bring it straight to you. you mentioned that in cases like this, the victim has lifelong anonymity protection, which in this case she has chosen to waive her right to that. can you explain, especially for those around the world, how big a name holly willoughby is in british media and society? tlrjttr;r british media and society? holly willanhb british media and society? holly willoughby is — british media and society? holly willoughby is an _ british media and society? holly willoughby is an enormous i british media and society? holly willoughby is an enormous name, incredibly popular presenter, a familiarface on incredibly popular presenter, a familiar face on television for over

20 years, starting off in children �*s television but swiftly moving onto particularly popular programmes, notably this morning, a daytime show, a long—running daytime show, many would say part of the national fabric, show, many would say part of the nationalfabric, where show, many would say part of the national fabric, where they talk about a whole range of different lifestyle issues, issues that affect people. goes from very fluffiest items to the most hard—hitting items and holly willoughby is a presenter who has shown herself able to cope with an entire range of these. she stepped down temporarily from the programme or did not appear gavin plumb was arrested last october and then a few days afterwards issued a statement saying, for the sake of herself and her family, statement saying, for the sake of herself and herfamily, she statement saying, for the sake of herself and her family, she was actually leaving this morning, a programme she presented for around 14 years. she continues to percent over programmes, notably a sunday

night reality skating programme called dancing on ice, which is like strictly come dancing or dancing with the stars but on ice, where celebrities are paired with a professional ice partner and they perform for professionaljudges, and she continues to present that particular show. she is one of the most popular, one of the best—known, one of the most familiar faces on british television, which is why this dark, disturbing case has had such an impact on people the united kingdom. such an impact on people the united kinrdom. . ~' ,. such an impact on people the united kinrdom. ., ,, y., , such an impact on people the united kinrdom. . ~ ,. , . ., kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you — kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you of _ kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you of a _ kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you of a couple _ kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you of a couple of _ kingdom. thank you very much. i want to remind you of a couple of lines i to remind you of a couple of lines that have come into us, the prosecutor in the case from england's crown prosecution service has said that gavin plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation's most familiarfaces unspeakable violence against one of the nation's most familiar faces and he has now been found guilty on counts of plotting to kidnap and

rape the tv presenter holly willoughby. we will continue to bring you more on this story as we have it. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you watching bbc news. let's return to the us now. we can talk to our north america correspondent. talk us through the latest pressure piling onjoe biden. as far as president biden is concerned, he is going nowhere. he released this statement yesterday. he met governors last night, to reassure them, he is saying that he is in this race to win it, not going anywhere, and as journalists we are signed up to the biden campaign

e—mails, as we offer the trump campaign e—mails, and this morning there was an e—mail from his campaign to all of us, saying, acknowledging what happened on that debate tonight, saying it was not the best performance, and to quote him, i screwed up. the best performance, and to quote him, iscrewed up. but the best performance, and to quote him, i screwed up. but i don't think it is going to quell any of the questions or concerns. his candidacy is under a dark cloud fuelled by the american media, which feels it is, the president has not been honest with them. that has led to these negative headlines, day after day, and you know that donald trump dominates news headlines here. he dominates news headlines here. he dominates the news cycle, we have not really heard from him officially or about him. we have editorial boards running on the president to stand down, in their eyes, for the sake of democracy. that has sparked a lot of anger from biden supporters asking them to do the same thing for donald trump, a convicted felon. the

senior democrats are talking about president biden's health. a very close ally of president biden said yesterday that if there was going to be a replacement, there could be primaries, and the happier saying that says something. as far as president biden is concerned, he will continue, but the scrutiny on him will be huge. he will be scrutinised in a way that he never has been before.— has been before. thank you very much. let's look at the latest now on hurricane beryl, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the caribbean. it's beginning to engulf the cayman islands with heavy rains and roaring winds. despite being downgraded to a category three storm, local reports say some areas have already lost power. beryl has already swept the southern coast of jamaica with sustained winds of 220 kilometres an hour, damaging buildings

and felling trees. these are some of the latest pictures from montego bay. there's also been flooding — these pictures are from kingston, jamaica's capital. it tends to be the water in these incidents which causes more fatalities. the storm first made landfall in grenada — this is some of the damage there. the prime mionister said the island of carriacou has been flattened. at least ten people are now known to have died. king charles has issued a statement to the people of the caribbean in which he says he has been profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction caused by hurricane beryl and that his thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives, livelihoods and property have been so utterly devastated. tom hanson is a correspondent with our partners cbs news, he's in montego bay injamaica and sent this update. the damage, we are getting a better sense of that as the day goes on,

as we get more daylight. you know, i'm standing on one of the main thoroughfares here in montego bay and i'm going to try to safely cross. this is one of the sites where there has been just substantial damage but there are people on the ground here that are clearing the way and that's why you are seeing cars that are able to pass what was once an impassable road. i want to show you just the scale of this right now because this is the size of the tree. it's taller than me. that was yanked out of the earth from the sheer ferocity of the wind brought by beryl. and i also want to point out something that is a very interesting thing. for these storms that were out at sea, the sea level was that way or the sea that way. the tree is pointed towards the sea and that's because we were on the dirty side of the storm. before i leave you, let's go to australia. an iconic wildlife park in australia has decided to stop offering people the chance to cuddle a koala. the lone pine koala sanctuary

in the state of queensland has entertained everyone from swift visits by pop stars to a pope to russian president vladimir putin. but as of this month, the small zoo — which bills itself as the world's first koala sanctuary — has decided it will no longer offer "koala hold experiences", in response to visitor feedback. many other australian states have long ago banned the practice and animal rights groups hope this is a sign it will be phased out nation—wide. the creatures are solitary, mostly nocturnal animals who sleep most of the day, so soon their naps won't be interrupted. much more still to come. don't go anywhere, i will be back soon. hello there.

today, for the northern half of the uk, we're looking at pretty widespread showers, but between shower clouds, you will still manage to see a bit of sunshine. we've had some of that here in moray earlier in the day, across the far north of scotland. it is cool though, particularly across scotland and to a degree northern england, northern ireland, with temperatures well below average for the time of year. glasgow just 13 degrees this afternoon. the average forjuly is 19 degrees. and this cool run of weather is here to stay through the rest of this week and into the weekend. still, where thejuly sunshine comes out, it probably won't feel too bad, but for these northern areas with the frequent showers, gusty winds, gusting into the 40 miles an hour, it's not going to feel great, with those temperatures six degrees lower. and the showers probably merging together to give some even longer spells of heavy rain in the hebrides and highlands for a time. further southwards, high teens to low 20s with largely dry conditions for wales, midlands, east anglia, southern england. that's going to feel quite pleasant through the afternoon, even if temperatures

are a little bit below par. tonight we see further showers for the north west of the uk and some rain starting to skirt into southern areas of england. temperatures by and large similar to what we had last night. and then, looking at the forecast for friday and saturday, an area of low pressure is going to develop right over the top of the uk. now, the first signs of that area of low pressure will be this area of rain that's affecting southern regions of england, perhaps southern parts of wales for a time, moving into east anglia. a much brighter day for scotland and northern ireland, much more in the way of sunshine tomorrow, however not entirely dry, there will still be some showers knocking around. however, with a bit more sunshine, those temperatures will be coming up by two or three celsius, so overall it will feel like a better day. now, the same area of low pressure continues to develop into saturday, so the rain is quite extensive across eastern areas of the uk and it may well be quite windy for these areas as well. the driest, sunniest weather will be across wales and south west england through the course of the afternoon. wherever you are, temperatures continue to run a little bit below average and it will feel cool,

i think, for east scotland and parts of eastern england. for sunday, brighter to start off with, but it is a day of sunshine and showers, the showers turning widespread, heavy and thundery in places and those temperatures will continue to disappoint for this stage ofjuly. bye for now.

this is bbc news, the headlines.

voting is under way in the uk general election — with up to 46 million people choosing a new government. a security guard has been found guilty of planning to kidnap, rape and murder holly willoughby. indian police arrest prayer meeting organisers after a deadly stampede killed more than 120 people. and paris 0lympics organisers are battling extreme heat concerns for athlete safety. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh ferris. the show courts have a distinctly british feel on day four of wimbledon, but while there are seven home players involved, two of those who aren't british have real designs on the title. let's head there now and speak to chethan pathak.

novak djokovic is currently on centre court.— centre court. the seven time champion — centre court. the seven time champion here, _ centre court. the seven time champion here, the - centre court. the seven time champion here, the 24 i centre court. the seven time champion here, the 24 time | centre court. the seven time i champion here, the 24 time grand champion here, the 2a time grand slam champion novak djokovic is out on centre court at the moment and he is comfortable against jacob fearnley, the british wild card. just the sort of match djokovic wanted early on as he continues to test out that knee, he had surgery last month and we won't even sure he would be at these championships. and thirdly, the 22—year—old from scotland, has given djokovic a few things to talk about. it is for games all at the moment. djokovic trying to get those things done in straight sets. we will see iga swiatek later on, the women's top seed. they met at last years wimbledon, where swiatek won that

match. swiatek has looked really good so far, she reached the quarterfinals here last year. we know she is amazing on clay. she has won four french opens, she will want to make that transition to grass. you should expect her to get through it. ., ., . ., , you should expect her to get through it. ., ., _, , ., you should expect her to get through it. there are a couple of back to back british _ it. there are a couple of back to back british head _ it. there are a couple of back to back british head to _ it. there are a couple of back to back british head to head - it. there are a couple of back to back british head to head on - it. there are a couple of back to i back british head to head on court one. the first one has been quite the battle? it one. the first one has been quite the battle?— the battle? it has been. this is katie boulter _ the battle? it has been. this is katie boulter against _ the battle? it has been. this is katie boulter against harriet i the battle? it has been. this is i katie boulter against harriet dart. one set all. the momentum has really shifted between those two. then it is jack draper against cameron norrie. jack draper has done really well lately, comes having won the grass title. we will see andy murray later as well with his brotherjamie the men's doubles as he looks to make this his final wimbledon. he

should be playing the mixed doubles with emma raducanu but there will be many people trying to get their for the men's doubles later. manchester united manager erik ten hag has signed a contract extension with the club. the dutchman's previous deal was due to expire in 2025, but the club have triggered an extra year after deciding to stick with ten hag following an end of season review carried out after united won the fa cup, their second trophy in as many years. the club also recorded their lowest ever premier league finish of eighth, but the new united co—owners concluded that despite speaking to a number of alternatives ten hag would stay in thejob. there won't be many managers on the eve of the euro 2024 quarter finals that are facing as much scrutiny as gareth southgate. and the england boss is apparently considering making a significant change to his team. there'll be an alteration in personnel with marc guehi suspended, while it's also in defence that there could be a switch in the formation. england have been playing

with a back four so far, but could change to a three, which they used in 2018. but centre backjohn stones was giving nothing away at their daily press conference. two different size to the game, two different outlooks for us over the years. opposition wise as well. it causes a problem. i think we are really fluid in both and that comes down to us when we get on the pitch, we have got to put it into practice. we train with everyone in training, different positions, even different scenarios as well. so it makes it seem less and that is a good thing for us. whoever is in at the weekend will be ready to play, knowing how each of plays. that will be ready to play, knowing how each of plays-_ each of plays. that is the quarterfinal _ each of plays. that is the quarterfinal against - each of plays. that is the - quarterfinal against switzerland each of plays. that is the _ quarterfinal against switzerland and hustled off on saturday. that is all the sports are now. —— dusseldorf.

police in northern india have arrested six organisers of a prayer meeting where a crush led to the deaths of more than 120 people on tuesday. officials say those detained were key aides of suraj pal singh, a self—styled indian guru. let's speak to our south asia editor, anbarasan ethirajan. what more do we know about those who have been arrested? £18 what more do we know about those who have been arrested?— have been arrested? 48 hours after this deadly strategy, _ have been arrested? 48 hours after this deadly strategy, lease - have been arrested? 48 hours after this deadly strategy, lease say - have been arrested? 48 hours after this deadly strategy, lease say that| this deadly strategy, lease say that they have arrested six people, volunteers who were involved in crowd management of this massive meeting near the town of hathras. they said that people were negligent, they did not manage this properly and they ran away after the crash started. the lawyer of this

self—styled groovy told me earlier that he was blaming who he called anti—social elements who are responsible for this, without elaborating and he also accused some kind of conspiracy against this group. a former cop turned spiritual leader. this has also triggered a lot of anger among people because who is responsible? who will be held responsible for this, one of the worst tragedies in recent memory? more than 120 people killed among those who are trying to get a glimpse of this preacher as he was leaving. now, police say they are looking for other people, some of the main organisers but the self—styled guru has not been in the list. he is not in the official police complaint, that also raises questions and police said they want to talk to him but his lawyer told me earlier today that he was very

much... ., , , me earlier today that he was very much... , ., , much... has there been any comment from the families _ much. .. has there been any comment from the families of— much... has there been any comment from the families of those _ much... has there been any comment from the families of those affected . from the families of those affected by this? from the families of those affected b this? ., , ., from the families of those affected b this? ., ,., ., , from the families of those affected b this? ., ., , ., , by this? there are so many families that have been _ by this? there are so many families that have been expressing - by this? there are so many families that have been expressing their- that have been expressing their anguish and anger. these are many people coming from underprivileged communities. many people, they took the bodies of the deceased and did all the funerals for the last two days and they have identified all the victims. the government, both federal and state government have announced monetary limitation for the families but they are still in deep shock because for one family, for example, a man told us that he lost his mother, his wife, his daughter and one of his cousins. so it is a huge loss. suddenly most of his family was taken away. people are still coming to terms with what happened on tuesday. still, some of

them are injured, they are taking treatment in various hospitals and relatives are hoping to take them home as and when they get better. thank you for that update. here in the uk — a former teacher has been sentenced to six and a half years for having sex with two schoolboys. 30—year—old rebecca joynes from salford had a baby with one of the boys. she was found guilty of six sex offences after a trial at manchester crown court in may. she was on bail for sexual activity with the first boy, when she became pregnant by the second. the countdown to this summer's olympic and paralympic games in paris is on — but with just weeks to go before the opening ceremony, there's widespread concern over the potential effects of extreme heat. hot temperatures were an issue at the last summer olympics in tokyo seriously affecting competitors. and with high temperatures expected in paris, organisers are having to think more than ever about how to mitigate the effects of climate change on athletes,

and how to ensure events take place safely. the bbc�*s qasa alom has been speaking to some of britain's marathon runners preparing for the heat. 20 seconds. phil is one of the uk's fastest marathon runners. just over a year ago, he was a junior doctor in the nhs. then the 31—year—old beat sir mo farah in the london marathon and now he is preparing for his first olympics. i can't wait, to be honest. really excited. i've worked really hard for a long time and this is a lot further than i thought i would get in the sport and to know that i have been here, training for years and years and will be competing at the pinnacle of the sport, it is really exciting. like every olympian, he has his eye on the weather forecast. paris has had 23 heatwaves since 2010, according to the meteo—france. extreme temperatures are more likely

thanks to climate change. it can be really warm, so the big thing is to make sure we are prepared for that. there is always a chance there is a heatwave as well, which we have seen in europe over the last few years in the summer, and if it is going to be like that, we want to make sure we are well prepared. one of the ways to do this is running in 40 degree heat in this specialist chamber at leeds beckett university. his team are monitoring his blood plasma levels, perceived effort and heart rate so they can see how his body and mind are handling the high temperatures. it will promote a series of adaptations which will mean he can lose heat more effectively. he feels more comfortable in the hot environment, which will be good for pacing and reduce the risk of general heatstroke. how much of an impact will this have on his performance on race day? it could only be 1% or 2%,

but that is massive in elite sport. so it could have a big change. but it is notjust about getting a competitive edge. the british association for sustainable sport has just warned that intense heat at the paris games could pose a serious risk to athletes' health or even, in extreme cases, lead to death. which is why heat training is becoming even more crucial. let's get you out. how was that? really tough, really hot. it's not fun in the slightest, but ijust got to do it. with training over for phil, it is time to check out the results. the heart rate was lower. the good thing was the perception scale. it's all good. the sweat rate has elevated, so it's really positive.

how do you feel about that? that is a huge positive, isn't it? we have seen improvements. i definitely feel better than i did a few weeks ago in this test. but we always want more as athletes. as well as training in the lab, phil has also been using less high—tech methods like running in thermal layers. and it's notjust top athletes who can train for the heat. these techniques can help anyone. experts say that if you do exercise in hot conditions, it is important to pace yourself and not necessarily go for your personal best. let's speak to rhydian cowley — an australian olympic racewalker who will be competing at the paris games. he's also a member of eco—athletes, which works to prepare the athletes of the future for the effects of climate change. very good to see you. i have got to

be honest, i am from north—east scotland. i struggle to go out for a run in anything double digits by am certainly not a professional athlete. how do you cope with increasing temperatures. increasing tem ers increasing temperatures. increasing tempers are — increasing temperatures. increasing tempers are difficult, _ increasing temperatures. increasing tempers are difficult, i _ increasing temperatures. increasing tempers are difficult, i am - tempers are difficult, i am certainly not someone who naturally enjoys it. when i was in australia, i went into a heat chamber. i go to sauna, andre state help with our cooling. it maximises chance of performing the well. you cooling. it maximises chance of performing the well.— cooling. it maximises chance of performing the well. you are part of the euo performing the well. you are part of the ego athletes _ performing the well. you are part of

the ego athletes group. _ performing the well. you are part of the ego athletes group. tell- performing the well. you are part of the ego athletes group. tell us - performing the well. you are part ofj the ego athletes group. tell us what the ego athletes group. tell us what the group does and why you think it is important. it is the group does and why you think it is important-— is important. it is basically a network of _ is important. it is basically a network of athletes - is important. it is basically a network of athletes and - is important. it is basically a . network of athletes and climate change experts, so it is about providing athletes, making sure we know about climate change. there are other athletes we can talk to. and then also, help to feel confident about what we are talking about and learning more about the mechanics of climate change so that we know that climate change so that we know that climate change so that we know that climate change is impacting the sport. climate change is impacting the sort. ~ ., sport. we saw it with tokyo and paris new. _ sport. we saw it with tokyo and paris now, these _ sport. we saw it with tokyo and paris now, these mitigating - sport. we saw it with tokyo and i paris now, these mitigating steps

are being put into place but these are being put into place but these are always short—term solutions. how do you see this affecting professional sport long—term? do you see this affecting professional sport long-term? there are adaptations, _ professional sport long-term? there are adaptations, something - professional sport long—term? tue- are adaptations, something that professional sport long—term? tue- are adaptations. something that will are adaptations, something that will be a concern going forward. so going forwards, july and august events will be held in september. at the tokyo olympics, we try to mitigate the effects of heat wave. the marathon was moved an hour earlier.

things like that, potentially relocating things will become a much more common occurrence.— relocating things will become a much more common occurrence. thank you ve much more common occurrence. thank you very much for— more common occurrence. thank you very much forjoining _ more common occurrence. thank you very much forjoining us _ more common occurrence. thank you very much forjoining us and - more common occurrence. thank you very much forjoining us and best - more common occurrence. thank you very much forjoining us and best of. very much forjoining us and best of luck in the paris games. for more on this — the bbc�*s climate question podcast has been looking at how athletes are preparing for the extreme heat. you can listen now on bbc sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

you are with bbc news. next to india, where a study has shown that more than 7% of all deaths in the country's largest cities are linked to air pollution. the worst affected city was delhi, where more than 11% percent of all recorded deaths were related to air pollution.

the study, conducted by the lancetjournal, looked at the concentrations of tiny particles known as pm 2.5 — which are found in exhaust fumes and industrial emissions. let's speak to jyoti pande lvakare, author of breathing here is injurious to your health, and a co—founder of the nonprofit care for air, which works to promote issues surrounding air pollution. thank you forjoining us. were you surprised by the result of the study? surprised by the result of the stud ? ., . . , surprised by the result of the stud ? ., ., ., ,,, study? not at all. this basically echoes international _ study? not at all. this basically echoes international evidence l study? not at all. this basically i echoes international evidence that there are no safe levels of air pollution and we know that but i think this is the first time a specific study in a specific part of the country has been done, spelling out that there is a clear connection between the pm 2.5 and other pollution. we between the pm 2.5 and other ollution. ~ ., ., ., ., pollution. we often hear about air ollution pollution. we often hear about air pollution in _ pollution. we often hear about air pollution in india. _ pollution. we often hear about air pollution in india. what _

pollution. we often hear about air pollution in india. what you - pollution. we often hear about air| pollution in india. what you people who live in places like the delhi due to cope on a daily basis? there are safety measures, _ due to cope on a daily basis? there are safety measures, for _ due to cope on a daily basis? there are safety measures, for example i due to cope on a daily basis? il—urr are safety measures, for example air purifiers within our homes. they are quite good if you are in an enclosed space but the government has put outdoor air purifiers, which is like saying let's deal with the global warming and heating by putting air—conditioners outside. small towers outdoors do not actually bring down air pollution. people indoors can help themselves by using air purifiers, masking up when they go outside during particularly highly polluted days, which is actually in the delhi most of the year. unfortunately, there is not enough awareness. so a lot of people don't know about this and some of those who know about it are actually in a state of denial and i myself

has passed through that stage of not really wanting to accept that the air that i am breathing and that i have no option but to breathe is really severely polluted and is killing me every time i take a breath. ., ~' , ., , killing me every time i take a breath. ., ~ , ., , . killing me every time i take a breath. ., ~ , . ., breath. thank you very much for bein: breath. thank you very much for being with _ breath. thank you very much for being with us. _ now — here in the uk, june's weather may have felt erratic — weeks of unusual cold followed by a heatwave in parts of the country. but, for some social media users, there was nothing random about it, and that's because, in their view, the weather has been deliberately manipulated. falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the weather have been gaining traction online. bbc verify has been investigating — marco silva has more. for the first couple of weeks injune, the uk experienced temperatures around two degrees lower than average, and primarily this was due to big masses of cold air coming in from the arctic region, so called weather manipulation had nothing to do with it.

the most well—known form of weather manipulation is cloud seeding. this is a technique that involves manipulating existing clouds to produce more rain or snow. and it's true this has been done in places like the us, china and the uae before. but while public records do show that there were cloud seeding experiments in this country back in the 19505, the met office says it's not aware of any weather modification activity taking place in recent years. and it's also worth pointing out that the month ofjune was not only colder but also drier than average across the uk. but what about all the rain that fell during the winter and the spring? surely, some social media users claim, that must be the result of some form of weather manipulation of geoengineering even. let's break that down. so, scientists say climate change played a big role in the uk's waterlogged winter.

and that is because, in a rapidly warming planet like ours, warm air can hold more moisture and this in turn can fuel more intense rainfall. climate change may not be the only factor behind the wet weather, but it has certainly played an important role in it. now, sincejanuary, mentions of geoengineering on x more than doubled worldwide compared to the last six months of 2023, but some users appear to be misrepresenting what the term actually stands for. geoengineering means manipulating the environment to limit the effects of climate change. this could be done, for example, by removing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, something the uk is actively researching. but there is no evidence to suggest that doing this has any impact on short—term weather. geoengineering could also be done by reflecting some of the sun's energy back into space. that's what it's called —

solar radiation management. the department for energy security and net zero says the uk government is not deploying solar radiation management, and that it has no plans to do so. at this point, you might be wondering — why does it matter that some of these bogus claims are spreading on social media? well, in part, it's because they're having a real—world impact. weather forecasters have described an increase in the amount of abuse they're getting online. some social media users have been wrongly accusing them of lying to the public, of covering up what is supposedly really going on with the weather through tweets like this one right here. the royal meteorological society condemns this abuse. their chief executive told the bbc they work very closely with young scientists to encourage them to share their science with the public, but that these young scientists are fearful

of the trolling that might take place. if you'd like to find out more about this story, you can read about it on the bbc�*s website. one more story to leave you with. a bill broke loose in peru on monday. video shows the animal charging against cars and pedestrians in the street. the bull was eventually caught by police and luckily there were no reported injuries. local media say the animal's owner has agreed to pay for all the damages caused by the wayward bull. probably just looking for a china shop. i will be back soon with the headlines.

hello there. today, for the northern half of the uk we're looking at pretty widespread showers, but between shower clouds you will still manage to see a bit of sunshine. we've had some of that here in moray earlier in the day across the far north of scotland. it is cool, though, particularly across scotland and to a degree, northern england, northern ireland with temperatures well below average for the time of year. glasgow just 13 degrees this afternoon. the average forjuly is 19 degrees. and this cool run of weather, is here to stay through the rest of this week and into the weekend. still, where thejuly sunshine comes out, it probably won't feel too bad, but for these northern areas, with the frequent showers, gusty winds gusting into the 40s of miles an hour, it's not going to feel great with those temperatures six degrees lower and the showers probably merging together to give some even longer spells of heavy rain in the hebrides and highland for a time. further southwards, high teens to low 20s with largely dry conditions for wales, midlands, east anglia, southern england. that's going to feel quite pleasant through the afternoon, even if temperatures

are a little bit below par. overnight tonight, we'll see further showers for the north west of the uk and some rain starting to skirt into southern areas of england. temperatures by and large, similar to what we had last night. and then looking at the forecast for friday and saturday, gavin plumb also has a history... he is a dangerous man and i have no doubt he was determined to carry out the acts as he planned. today, we are extremely grateful to our law enforcement colleagues in america who not only brought gavin plumb to our attention but have gathered the vital evidence which help secure his conviction. we would also like to thank the victim who has courageously supported this case throughout and bravely waived her anonymity. today, gavin plumb remains where he belongs. behind

bars. we will continue to do all we can to seek out those intent on causing harm to women and girls and like the defendant, put them behind bars. there is simply no place for dangerous individuals like him on the streets of essex or in wider society and we will do all we can to make our community safe for all. thank you. make our community safe for all. thank yon-— thank you. you are watching bbc news. thank you. you are watching bbc news- that _ thank you. you are watching bbc news. that was _ thank you. you are watching bbc news. that was detective - thank you. you are watching bbc news. that was detective chief l news. that was detective chief inspector greg wood from essex police giving a statement on the conviction of gavin plumb, a 37—year—old security guard from essex in the east of england he was found guilty of plotting to abduct, rape and kidnap the tv presenter holly willoughby. that story broke in the last hour or so. evidence was presented that gavin plumb had meticulously planned this operation. he had said in online forums that he

wanted to live out his fantasy. he was eventually caught with the help of an undercover fbi officer in the united states. he contacted british authorities following conversations, the undercover officer had had with gavin plumb online. dci greg wood from essex police there saying gavin plumb is now where he belongs, behind bars. earlier on, we did have a statement from the prosecutors. the cps in england said gavin plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation's most familiarfaces. nicola rice, the specialist prosecutor then went on to say despite his attempts to pass himself off as a harmless fun says, the jury that he posed a real threat. gavin plumb guilty on all of its charges.

as we havejust plumb guilty on all of its charges. as we have just been reporting, security guard has been found guilty of plotting to abduct, rape and murder one of the uk's biggest tv stars holly willoughby. voting is under way in the uk general election — with up to 46 million people choosing a new government. hurricane beryl brings 228 come to prowl winds it is now heading towards mexico. hello, i'm rich preston

welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start with breaking news here in the uk — a security guard from essex has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder(boxed 00v)one of the country's biggest tv stars — holly willoughby. rape and murder one of the country's biggest tv stars — holly willoughby. following the guilty verdicts, essex police's senior investigating officer detective chief inspector greg wood said: "gavin plumb was not just simply obsessed with holly willoughby, he meticulously and carefully planned, over a number of years, to carry out a depraved and violent attack, in which he plotted to deprive her of her liberty and ultimately her life. " our correspondent has been following the case at chelmsford crown court, and sent us this report. they were describing how they investigated gavin plumb and

described him as a dangerous and predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim, holly willoughby. they say that he meticulously and carefully planned and over a number of years he wanted to eventually deprive her of her liberty and, ultimately, murder her. that was a statement from the essex police who have investigated this offence because in the last hour and a half, gavin plumb, a security guard from essex has been found guilty of inciting kidnap, inciting the rain and inciting the murder of tv presenter holly willoughby. it has been a very dark and disturbing case. it has been a very dark and

disturbing case with very graphic detail being read out and shown to thejury in court by detail being read out and shown to the jury in court by messages that gavin plumb exchanged over the last two years with various individuals, both online apps like kick as well as whatsapp messages. there was a man is mark from ireland who he spent months talking to about plans to find where holly willoughby lived and to kidnap her and raped her. he did the same with numerous other individuals in various apps on the internet. the prosecution described him as being sexually obsessed with holly willoughby. he claimed in his defence that what he described and talked about in graphic detail he said it was purely a fantasy and not something that he ever intended to carry out. this afternoon, a jury of

eight women and four men found him guilty of all three charges. my colleague charlotte gallagher has been looking back at the details of this particular dark, disturbing case. holly willoughby, one of the uk's most popular and successful television presenters. the right. caller number for. this was her final appearance on this morning, before her life changed dramatically. as later that day gavin plumb was arrested for plotting her kidnap, rape and murder. at the moment you're under arrest for conspiracy- to kidnap holly willoughby. i don't think those ones are. not gonna lie, she's a fantasy of mine. i mean, she's a fantasy.

plumb had even assembled a kidnap kit, which he filmed himself. 0k, we'll try his two sets of handcuffs. . one set of. ankle. police found chloroform in his home and saw he had researched realistic looking air weapons. he'd also scoured the internet for how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities, and he found some even sending voice notes about his plans. we're then going to force her to make a video. just saying that she come with us under her own free will, and she's fully consenting into everything we do to her. so that covers us. but one of those people he met online was in fact an undercover policeman in the united states. plumb told him he knew where holly lived, her routine, and how he was planning to abduct her. that detective was so concerned he contacted the fbi and police here. much of the evidence that we've heard in court has been distressing. some of it's been too graphic and violent to broadcast. gavin plumb was obsessed with holly willoughby and spent hours and hours discussing kidnap plans. he told the jury it was just a celebrity crush.

they didn't believe him. gavin plumb told the court he was just a fantasist. but this isn't the first time he's committed crimes like this. he has previous convictions for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment. i would say that gavin plumb is a dangerous individual to women that can be seen from his previous convictions, where he has already overpowered women, and it is demonstrated by the conversations that he was having with others online, and the graphic and disturbing messages that they were sending between themselves about what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it. holly willoughby didn't appear in court but has worked with police. the victim in the casel has been really brave. we've been in regular contact with holly willoughby- and we've supported holly— willoughby, as we would any woman or girl that's subjected to these offences. - but she's waived her anonymity,

which has allowed the majority l of this evidence to be heard in court and reported on, i which actually brings the issue - of violence against women and girls to the forefront of everyone's mind, which is really, really important. - this case was about sexual violence, humiliation and degradation. gavin plumb said it was online chat, something that would never happen. the jury decided his plans were very real. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. it was an unusual investigation in that so much of the evidence was from whatsapp messages and various messages from online apps. the man who led the investigation, the senior investigating officer, he spoke outside the station here a few minutes ago. spoke outside the station here a few

minutes ago-— minutes ago. good afternoon everyone. — minutes ago. good afternoon everyone. i — minutes ago. good afternoon everyone. i am _ minutes ago. good afternoon everyone, i am detective - minutes ago. good afternoon | everyone, i am detective chief inspector— everyone, i am detective chief inspector greg wood. gavin plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who is— a dangerous, predatory individual who is intent on causing the most serious _ who is intent on causing the most serious harm to his victims. he was notjust— serious harm to his victims. he was notjust obsessed with serious harm to his victims. he was not just obsessed with holly willoughby as he claims, he carefully planned, over a number of years. _ carefully planned, over a number of years. the _ carefully planned, over a number of years, the plan drew carry out a violent — years, the plan drew carry out a violent attack in which he planned to kidnap— violent attack in which he planned to kidnap from a home, take it to a remote _ to kidnap from a home, take it to a remote location and ultimately take a life _ remote location and ultimately take a life his _ remote location and ultimately take a life. his claims of being a fantasist— a life. his claims of being a fantasist are simply not true and are evidenced by the extent to which he plotted _ are evidenced by the extent to which he plotted with others to carry out his wicked — he plotted with others to carry out his wicked plan. he is also attempted to kidnap other women using _ attempted to kidnap other women using weapons and threats of violence _ using weapons and threats of violence. he is a dangerous man and i violence. he is a dangerous man and l have _ violence. he is a dangerous man and l have no— violence. he is a dangerous man and i have no doubt he was determined to carry out— i have no doubt he was determined to carry out the — i have no doubt he was determined to carry out the acts as he had planned~ _ carry out the acts as he had planned. we are grateful to our law enforcement colleagues in america who not— enforcement colleagues in america who not only brought gavin plumb to our attention but helped us with

vital evidence that secured his conviction. we would also like to thank— conviction. we would also like to thank the — conviction. we would also like to thank the victim who courageously sopported — thank the victim who courageously supported this case throughout and waived _ supported this case throughout and waived her anonymity. today gavin plumb _ waived her anonymity. today gavin plumb remains where he belongs, behind _ plumb remains where he belongs, behind bars. itake plumb remains where he belongs, behind bars. i take six police will continue — behind bars. i take six police will continue to— behind bars. i take six police will continue to do all we can to seek out those — continue to do all we can to seek out those intent on causing harm to women _ out those intent on causing harm to women and — out those intent on causing harm to women and girls. and like this defendant, put them behind bars. there _ defendant, put them behind bars. there is— defendant, put them behind bars. there is no— defendant, put them behind bars. there is no place for dangerous individuals like him on either the streets _ individuals like him on either the streets of— individuals like him on either the streets of essex or wider society and we — streets of essex or wider society and we will do all we can to continue _ and we will do all we can to continue to make our society safe all. continue to make our society safe alt thank— continue to make our society safe all. thank you.— all. thank you. now gavin plumb actually wept _ all. thank you. now gavin plumb actually wept in _ all. thank you. now gavin plumb actually wept in the _ all. thank you. now gavin plumb actually wept in the dark - all. thank you. now gavin plumb actually wept in the dark when i all. thank you. now gavin plumb l actually wept in the dark when the verdicts were read out from the jury earlier this afternoon. he denied the charges, he said that the thoughts and fantasies although they were dark, they were just that, fantasies, never something he intended on becoming reality but the jury intended on becoming reality but the

jury disagreed. we haven't heard anything yet from holly willoughby. normally in a case where there is a six crime such as incitement to rain, the victim is entitled to lifelong anonymity. in this case, we heard that holly willoughby, the well—known presenter, has decided to waive that anonymity. we don't know if we were here anything from her this afternoon, but as with all victims in criminal cases, they are given the opportunity at a sentencing to read out a victim impact statement in front of the court or give it to the judge. we don't know if holly willoughby intends to do that but that may be where we hear her reaction to that case when sentencing takes place a week tomorrow and friday 12 july. our correspondent, lizo mzimba, who is at chelmsford crown court. thank you.

let's turn to the middle east. israel says it's evaluating what it's called new "comments" submitted by hamas to negotiators from egypt and qatar attempting to end nine months of conflict in gaza. the proposals relate to efforts to secure the release of israeli hostages still being held in gaza, and to achieve a ceasefire. elsehwere in the region, the israeli military says it's killed a commander of his brother in lebanon in an air strike. muhammad nimah nasser is one of the most senior his brother figures to have been killed in nearly nine months of cross—border clashes. these pictures were sent to us by the news agency afp, which says they were posted online showing the aftermath. let's go to boston and speak to rami khouri, who is a distinguished fellow at the american university of beirut. thanks for being here with us, good to talk to you. the arc of conflict between his his brother and israel

is long—standing. can you tell us more about this? is long-standing. can you tell us more about this?— is long-standing. can you tell us more about this? before his brother was in south — more about this? before his brother was in south lebanon _ more about this? before his brother was in south lebanon on, _ more about this? before his brother was in south lebanon on, israel- more about this? before his brother. was in south lebanon on, israel came to deal with between lebanon on whether it's fighting palestinians, is really one of the oldest conflict. the striking thing is that the repeated assassinations that was carried out of hamas leaders they have killed other senior commanders of his brother and itjust doesn't seem to have any impact. the israelis feel that when they killed the commanders it unites everyone, but it does the opposite. so this

was really a symbol of the futility of the current tit—for—tat exchanges. they can keep doing this for months or years, they have been doing it for years and it has resulted in anything. therefore, we should expect to see this continue. the difficult thing is that israel has said for the last month that it will go into lebanon to get rid of his brother. so we have to look at what they are doing which is a form of mutual assassinations and attacks and to see their actions are speaking more than their words. israel says it is defending itself and it accuses itself of his brother firing rockets at civilian. they've claimed it is a good group. could

the lebanese government be doing more to disarm the militant wing of? hezbollah came into being because of these things. the situation in palestine is the same, palestinians couldn't hold their own against the israeli's constant attacks and therefore his brother senedd was born and there were some strong offensive movements. and so the lebanese government has been a serious actor and he's because they don't have military muscle and the country is economically in a terrible position. this isn't new, this has been the situation for the

last 25 years. wright are concerned that this conflict will widen and that this conflict will widen and that the conflict will go over the border and spread further? we all have to be concerned. when one is concern for 15 years in a row and a big war doesn't break out, one wonders is this level of concern are reasonable. it can always be sparked tjy reasonable. it can always be sparked by accident or intentionally. but the other side wants... this is what is interesting. his brother senedd and the israelis say they do not want a fully fledged war because it will be destroyed so much of lebanon and israel and the theory is that if they do go to a higher level of military, the israelis were coming, the americans will come in etc. so they haven't even really been able to subdue hamas. so they speak a lot

stronger than the act. they have the ability to destroy a lot in lebanon and gaza but they haven't been able to use this to help with a resolution to their conflicts. so we have to be worried about a big war but i still don't think it is going to happen. but i still don't think it is going to happen-— but i still don't think it is going to ha--en. ., ~' , . but i still don't think it is going to ha--en. ., ~ , . ., to happen. thank you very much for our to happen. thank you very much for your analysis- _ to happen. thank you very much for your analysis. around _ to happen. thank you very much for your analysis. around the _ to happen. thank you very much for your analysis. around the world i to happen. thank you very much for your analysis. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news.

a former teacher's been sentenced to six and a half years for having sex with two schoolboys.

30—year—old rebecca joynes from salford had a baby with one of the boys. she was found guilty of 6 sex offences after a trial at manchester crown court in may. she was on bail for sexual activity with the first boy, when she became pregnant by the second. let's speak to our correspondent nick garnett. tell us more about this. rebecca jo nes tell us more about this. rebecca joynes mac _ tell us more about this. rebecca joynes mac picked _ tell us more about this. rebecca joynes mac picked her _ tell us more about this. rebecca joynes mac picked her victims i tell us more about this. rebecca i joynes mac picked her victims very carefully, to pupils of the school at which she taught, they were too young and too naive to really know what was going on. she showered one of them with presence, she took one of them with presence, she took one of them with presence, she took one of them to a shopping centre where she spent £345 on a good umag belt before taking it back to her flat and having six with him. when he told his parents a couple of days later by what had happened, they went to the police. she was suspended from herjob but that wasn't the end of it. she started another relationship while she was on bail with the police waiting to know what would happen with those charges, and she started another relationship with another boy. she became pregnant by that boy and carried on a relationship with him

until he was 17. today he gave a statement to the court in which he said that she had coerced and controlled him, thatjust because he was male, it didn't make many less of a victim. he said there was no support for people in a position such as him as a male victim of sexual abuse. such as him as a male victim of sexualabuse. he such as him as a male victim of sexual abuse. he also said that he was not only a victim but his whole family was a victim as well as his child. sending her to prison today, thejudge described child. sending her to prison today, the judge described joynes as predatory and manipulative and that she had brought all of this on herself. she was convicted after a nine—day long trial at manchester crown court to two months ago. she had been granted bail and arrived at court today knowing what was going to happen. she had been told she would be getting a custodial sentence and be sent to prison. the prison sentences a total of six years, three years of it will be sentin years, three years of it will be sent in prison itself with three further years when she will be on licence. if she misbehaves in any

way, she will be sent back to prison. convicted of six offences, it's just on it's an awful case and one that it has really affected that a level of trust and highlights the problems that she had both with her own morality and the well—being of the children that she was looking after. ., ~ the children that she was looking after. . ~ , ., the children that she was looking after. ., ~' , ., , the children that she was looking after. . ~ i. , . the children that she was looking after. ., ~' ,, , . x' after. thank you very much nick. let's ao after. thank you very much nick. let's go to _ after. thank you very much nick. let's go to the — after. thank you very much nick. let's go to the us _ after. thank you very much nick. let's go to the us now. - joe biden has insisted — again — that he won't pull out of the us presidential race, despite appeals from a growing number of fellow democrats. mr biden, who's 81, says he would not be pushed out of november's election. but speaking to a local radio station in wisconsin — a swing state he needs to win — the president did accept that last week's tv debate with donald trump had not gone well. take a listen. i had a bad night and the fact of the matter is that, you know, it was... i screwed up, i made a mistake.

that's 90 minutes on stage — look at what i've done in 3.5 years. our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal has more on the pressure that the biden campaign is currently under. as far as president biden is concerned he is going nowhere. he released the statement yesterday and has met governors last night and has reassured them. but he is saying that he is in the race to win it, he is not going anywhere. obviously as journalists we are signed up to the biden campaign e—mails, as we are of the trump campaign e—mails, and itjust this morning there was an e—mail from his campaign team to all of us, acknowledging what happened on that debate night and saying, it wasn't my best performance, and to quote him, i screwed up. but i don't think it is going to quell any of the questions or concerns. his presidential candidacy is under a dark cloud fuelled by the american media,

which quite simply feels that the president has not been honest with them. it has led to negative headlines and you know that donald trump dominates the news here. we've not really heard from him officially or heard about him. we have news editorial referrals calling on president biden to stand down. in their eyes it is for the sake of democracy. a lot of biden supporters say why aren't you doing the same thing for donald trump who is a convicted felon? there are senior democrats who are, you know, talking about president bidenhealth. a close ally of president biden said yesterday that if there was going to be a replacement there could be... but the fact he's even saying that says a lot. as far as prison by dan is concerned he will be continuing.

he's probably been scrutinised like never before. let's look at the latest now on hurricane beryl — one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the caribbean. it's beginning to engulf the cayman islands with heavy rains and roaring winds. despite being downgraded to a category three storm, local reports say some areas have already lost power. king charles has issued a statement to the people of the caribbean — in which he says he has been profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction caused by hurricane beryl — and that his thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives, livelihoods and property have been so utterly devastated. beryl has already swept the southern coast of jamaica with sustained winds of 220 kilometres an hour, damaging buildings and felling trees. these are some of the latest pictures from montego bay. there's also been flooding — these pictures are from kingston — jamaica's capital. the storm first made landfall in grenada — this is some of the damage there. the prime mionister said the island of carriacou has been flattened. at least ten people are now

known to have died. tom hanson is a correspondent with our partners cbs news — he's in montego bay injamaica and sent this update. the damage, we're getting a better sense of that is the day goes on, as we get more daylight. you know, i'm standing on one of the main thoroughfares here in montego bay and i'm going to try to safely cross. this is one of the sites where there has been substantial damage, but there are people on the ground here that are clearing away and that's why you're seeing cars that are able to pass what was once an impassable road. i want to show you just the scale of this right now because this is the size of the tree — it's taller than me — that was yanked out of the earth from the sheer ferocity of the winds brought by beryl. and i also want to point out something that is a very interesting thing. for these storms that were out of sea, the sea level was that way or the sea that way. and the tree is pointed towards the sea, and that's because we were on the dirty side of the storm. stay with us here on bbc news.

the big story today's general election. let's take a look at westminster at the moment as it stands. went to uk people wake up tomorrow it could be to a new government. we also have a shot of downing street, the famous black door at number 10 downing street. of course, as i mentioned, it could be a new prime minister walking through those doors tomorrow, people have been voting across the uk. polls close at ten o'clock local time and there will be live programming here on the bbc throughout the evening and live updates on the bbc news website and the app. i will be back in a moment with the latest headlines, stick with us.

hello there. today, for the northern half of the uk we're looking at pretty widespread showers, but between shower clouds you will still manage to see a bit of sunshine. we've had some of that here in moray earlier in the day across the far north of scotland. it is cool, though, particularly across scotland and to a degree, northern england, northern ireland with temperatures well below average for the time of year. glasgow just 13 degrees this afternoon. the average forjuly is 19 degrees. and this cool run of weather, is here to stay through the rest of this week and into the weekend. still, where thejuly sunshine comes out, it probably won't feel too bad, but for these northern areas, with the frequent showers, gusty winds gusting into the 40s of miles an hour, it's not going to feel great with those temperatures six degrees lower and the showers probably merging together to give some even longer spells of heavy rain in the hebrides and highland for a time. further southwards, high teens to low 20s with largely dry conditions for wales, midlands, east anglia, southern england. that's going to feel quite pleasant through the afternoon, even if temperatures are a little bit below par. overnight tonight, we'll see further showers for the north west of the uk

and some rain starting to skirt into southern areas of england. temperatures by and large, similar to what we had last night. and then looking at the forecast for friday and saturday, an area of low pressure is going to develop right over the top of the uk. this could affect parts of wales at hand moving into east anglia. northern ireland and scotland will be more in the way of sunshine however hard right will be is questionable. temperatures will be coming up by two or three degrees. overall, it will feel like a better day. the same area of low pressure continues to develop into saturday and the rain will be quite extensive across eastern parts as well as it might be windy. the dry and sunny weather will be across wales and south—west england through the course of the afternoon.

temperatures continue to run below average and feeling cool in scotland and parts of eastern england. the sunday, it will be brighter to start off with but there will be sunshine and showers, shower is turning heavy and showers, shower is turning heavy and showers, shower is turning heavy and thundery in places. the temperatures will continue to disappoint at this stage ofjuly. bye for now.

a green light for new tarriffs. brussels slaps new fees on chinese—made electric cars. and from regency to retail. how the brigerton effect is spreading from cakes to cocktails, stately homes to clothes. we have a special report, esteemed viewers, from our very own lord whisteldown. welcome to business today. the eu has raised tariffs on chinese electric vehicles. they will range from 17.4% to 37.6%. it's a further ratcheting up of tensions with beijing in brussels' largest trade case yet. the eu's trade chief earlier told bloomberg there is no basis for china to retaliate. but the bloc is split over the issue with european car companies both supplying the chinese market and with ev production plants of their own, based in china. let's talk to theo leggett,

our business correspondent. first of all, why is the eu doing this? , ., ., , ., , this? there is no doubt that chinese made electric— this? there is no doubt that chinese made electric vehicles _ this? there is no doubt that chinese made electric vehicles are _ this? there is no doubt that chinese made electric vehicles are cheaper l made electric vehicles are cheaper than their western counterparts, or at least cheaper to make. chinese businesses have a cost advantage. some of that may come from lower labour costs but the european commission is convinced that a big factor subsidies, commission is convinced that a big factorsubsidies, given commission is convinced that a big factor subsidies, given to these companies by the chinese government. we know that building up an effective electric car industry has been a major industrial goal of the chinese for about ten years now. that has led to the growth of companies like b y d, for example, which is challenging tesla for the role of world's biggest constructor of electric cars. they are trying to address that cost abundance, making it costlier to bring cars into the eu so that chinese made cars sell at the same price and has similar

margins to ones made locally. that is the goal. margins to ones made locally. that is the coal. margins to ones made locally. that is the goal-— is the goal. the new tariffs, although — is the goal. the new tariffs, although they _ is the goal. the new tariffs, although they take - is the goal. the new tariffs, although they take place i is the goal. the new tariffs, - although they take place tomorrow, from tomorrow onwards, they are not payable until november. so is there a sense that there is still a deal that could be made to call the whole thing off? that could be made to call the whole thin off? , , ., ., thing off? there is still a deal that could _ thing off? there is still a deal that could be _ thing off? there is still a deal that could be made. - thing off? there is still a deal that could be made. the i thing off? there is still a deal. that could be made. the tariffs thing off? there is still a deal i that could be made. the tariffs are enforced from now so they accrue from now but they won't be collected until november, until after eu member states have had a chance to vote on them and decide whether to make provisional tariffs substantive. technical negotiations are already under way between the eu and china and there is every possibility that compromises could be reached, which might involve commitments by chinese manufacturer's to build more factories in europe and byo d has already planned a factor in hungary, so that process is ongoing. in the meantime, the tariffs are in place. they have been described in the past by the chinese government as naked

protectionism. that is worrying some european car—makers because it is notjust european car—makers because it is not just cars european car—makers because it is notjust cars coming in made by chinese manufacturers, european manufactures have factories in china where they make vehicles for the european market. it could work the other way. companies like bmw make high value cars that are sold on the chinese market. if beijing decides to retaliate, those exports could be hit as well. there is by no means unanimous support in the industry on this. germany is a pose and france is very favourable to the tariffs. lets get some reaction from the head of communication for the german association of the automotive industry. what is your reaction to this decision today? the industry. what is your reaction to this decision today?— this decision today? the decision toda was this decision today? the decision today was not — this decision today? the decision today was not a _ this decision today? the decision today was not a big _ this decision today? the decision today was not a big surprise i this decision today? the decision i today was not a big surprise because we knew it was coming but we

criticise it from the beginning because as you mentioned before, these tariffs are in the end not anything helping the competitiveness of european industry. i think what we need to do what is the job now is to work on the competitiveness of our european union when it comes to access to raw materials, when it comes to energy parts, when it comes to bureaucracy. now it will be the start of the trade conflicts and we already know that china mentioned measurements that they are now going to get done and that could be the start of a conflict that in the end will only no losers, there will be no winners in the trade conflict. so we are happy there is dialogue, it is important to say that there is still the chance to get this done without the tariffs until november and we really urge the eu as well as

china to have those dialogues ongoing and to find a solution so we will not have these tariffs happening. will not have these tariffs happening-— will not have these tariffs happening. will not have these tariffs haueninu. ., ., , happening. the opposition to this has been long-standing - happening. the opposition to this has been long-standing so i happening. the opposition to this has been long-standing so why i happening. the opposition to this| has been long-standing so why do happening. the opposition to this i has been long-standing so why do you has been long—standing so why do you think your concerns have not been listened to, or are they taking you seriously? l listened to, or are they taking you seriousl ? ~ �* , ., , seriously? i think it's a few things that ou seriously? i think it's a few things that you have _ seriously? i think it's a few things that you have to _ seriously? i think it's a few things that you have to look _ seriously? i think it's a few things that you have to look at. - seriously? i think it's a few things that you have to look at. as i seriously? i think it's a few things that you have to look at. as your| that you have to look at. as your colleague mentioned before, within the eu, there are different opinions. germany was never in favour of this and germany has a very different situation, for example, to france. we are very active on the chinese market and in general, if you want to be successful when it comes to electric mobility, you need to be on the chinese market. when you look at what this found out, there are things we need to talk about and that need to be clear but also, the result now ended up in tariffs that are higher, for example, german companies working together with chinese companies than for example,

chinese companies than for example, chinese companies. so the goal that was for this whole investigation has not really been reached by this. also, we believe a competitiveness in general is a good thing and that we are not afraid of chinese cars entering the european market. thank ou. now, hold on to your bonnetts and top hats ladies and gents. netflix's small—screen sensation bridgerton which has hooked in millions of viewers since december 2020 — has reportedly added around £270 million to the uk economy. how? step inside the "bridgerton universe" with my colleague ben boulos and all will be revealed. dearest gentle reader, the ton is simply abuzz with excitement this season. murmurings about a boost to businesses from what some are calling the bridgerton effect.

word reaches me that some are inspired to make haste to afternoon teas like this one that would undoubtedly find favour with lady whistledown herself. i think people love to see the kind of dream world of, you know, the drama behind, the beauty, you know, the royal kind of lifestyle. it's very pretty here, obviously. it's very bridgerton—like, isn't it? so yeah, i think that's probably what it is. it's just a bit of a fantasy, i think. well, i have to admit, i've actually not seen it myself yet. but i know that my friend's a big fan, so for her birthday, i thought it'd be a little bit of a treat. and i have to say, ifeel quite inspired now to come and see it myself. i'm amazed to be here. so i think it's so cool that they have a whole thing centred around the show, because it's just so fun to watch. and it's really cool to — it's like, i love seeing the british characters and like everything, kind of focused around that time period and everything

is really cool to me. and there's more demand from those wanting their very own slice of society at home. an entire range of bridgerton—inspired stationery, crockery and clothes. so popular, this retailer informs me it frequently sells out of stock. and hushed whispers abound that some may even indulge in bridgerton—themed liquid refreshment. yet the greatest stir swirls around a mysterious new arrival in the ton, and all the chatter in hallways and gardens is aboutjust who this enigmatic stranger could be. then auditioning to be the next member of the budget and family there. —— bridgerton. now, quite apart from the us stock

market being on such a high, as we've been reporting, there is a growing body of evidence that us economic data is turning lower. some are even predicting a potential recession later this year. it also puts the spotlight firmly on the september fed meeting, when the market seems to think that the fed could cut rates. joining me now is fund manager and author, ruchir sharm, who's written the book what went wrong with capitalism. what is your view of where the us economy is heading in the wrong direction? ~ ., economy is heading in the wrong direction? ~ . ., ,, direction? what i have called the us economy and _ direction? what i have called the us economy and the _ direction? what i have called the us economy and the book _ direction? what i have called the us economy and the book is _ direction? what i have called the us economy and the book is an - economy and the book is an overstimulated superpower. the amount of stimulus the us, he has been riding over the last cs is unprecedented, notjust in the post—pandemic year, last year governments spending alone accounted for 0.1%. the economy is likely to weaken. i don't think that it might know whether there will be a recession or not. some of the structural problems which have been

in the us economy will come back into the limelight and therefore i think this will be a test for american capitalism and that is the subject of my new book. you american capitalism and that is the subject of my new book.— american capitalism and that is the subject of my new book. you say that ca - italism subject of my new book. you say that capitalism is — subject of my new book. you say that capitalism is the _ subject of my new book. you say that capitalism is the best _ subject of my new book. you say that capitalism is the best hope _ subject of my new book. you say that capitalism is the best hope for- capitalism is the best hope for human progress but you essentially say that too much has been done by government and old habits die hard. what is the solution? l government and old habits die hard. what is the solution?— what is the solution? i don't think there is a solution _ what is the solution? i don't think there is a solution until _ what is the solution? i don't think there is a solution until you i what is the solution? i don't think there is a solution until you have l what is the solution? i don't think| there is a solution until you have a crisis because as you say, some of these are old habits. as i argue in these are old habits. as i argue in the book, the slightest part of trouble, then minister opioids and other drugs to relieve pain, so the us has a drugs crisis. the western economy, including uk and france, or have got hooked to being simulated at the slightest trouble. that is why i think capitalism has not failed but it has been ruined by the

role of government over the last few decades. hf role of government over the last few decades. ., ., ~ ., , , , decades. if we look at gdp figures, consumer spending, _ decades. if we look at gdp figures, consumer spending, the _ decades. if we look at gdp figures, consumer spending, the jobs i decades. if we look at gdp figures, i consumer spending, the jobs market, it consumer spending, thejobs market, it is a weaker than forecast. when you are talking about a crisis, will we see one soon? what are you defining as a crisis? l we see one soon? what are you defining as a crisis?— defining as a crisis? i think you already have — defining as a crisis? i think you already have a _ defining as a crisis? i think you already have a crisis. _ defining as a crisis? i think you already have a crisis. you i defining as a crisis? i think you already have a crisis. you have j defining as a crisis? i think you i already have a crisis. you have the facts say that in countries like us, uk, a lot of the young majority say that they prefer socialism over capitalism. that is telling about the current economic system, whatever you want to label it, is not delivering for people, for the young people to actually think that socialism may be a better alternative to capitalism. in that way we already have a crisis. productivity growth across the western world has been declining sharply for the last 30 to 40 years due to this increased role of government. in a way we are ready have a crisis, it is just more

insidious and not an apparent crisis which we are used to, which would be a fiscal crisis, the kind of liz truss moment we saw in the uk in 2022. that is an apparent crisis but what we have now is an insidious crisis across the western world in the us and other places where so many people, especially the young, i disaffected with the current economic system. that is what i have tried to show in the book. it is 100 year revisionist history of capitalism. year revisionist history of capitalism-— year revisionist history of capitalism. year revisionist history of caitalism. ., ~ , . ., capitalism. thank you very much for that. capitalism. thank you very much for that- there — capitalism. thank you very much for that. there are _ capitalism. thank you very much for that. there are plenty _ capitalism. thank you very much for that. there are plenty more - that. there are plenty more delicacies served up on our website. it is abuzz with delightful treasures. including japan's long goodbye to floppy discs. you are up—to—date.

hello, i'm rich preston.

i want to bring you a quick update on the latest breaking news around this holly willoughby story that we have had in the last couple of hours. this is after a 37—year—old to guard was found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the british tv presenter holly willoughby. in the last few moments, she has issued a statement. this is the first we have heard from her since the guilty verdict. the statement says, as women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. i will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat and the metropolitan and essex police forces. she also passed on her thanks to the crown prosecution service, the right honourable mr justice murray. the members of the jury justice murray. the members of the jury and all those involved in this case to ensure thatjustice was done and that the defendant will not be

able to how many more women. she says, i would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. she says without their bravery, this conviction may not have been possible. that is the statement from holly willoughby following the guilty verdict in the case of gavin plumb. found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murderthe plumb. found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the tv presenter. there is another breaking storyjust now presenter. there is another breaking story just now that presenter. there is another breaking storyjust now that i want to bring you, this one from the middle east. it has come into the last few moments that following a discussion, there israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has given his approval to send a delegation to negotiate a hostage release deal. this comes after the militant group hamas added new comments to the 3—phase piece plan that was laid out by president biden some time ago. israel has said that it is looking into those comments and within the

last few moments, prime minister benjamin netanyahu has given his approval to send a delegation to negotiate her hostage negotiation. he did return a trait that the ball only and after all the israeli government objectives have been achieved and not a moment before. this comes in to us from an israeli government spokesperson. the israeli government spokesperson. the israeli government objectives in as conflict, it says, are to eliminate hamas and to secure the release of all israeli hostages taken by hamas on october seven. there are currently around 120 israeli hostages still being held by hamas. we will bring you much more on this story when it comes into us. next to india — where a study has shown that more than 7% of all deaths in the country's largest cities are linked to air pollution.

the worst affected city was delhi — where more than 11% of all recorded deaths were related to air pollution. the study, conducted by the lancetjournal, looked at the concentrations of tiny particles known as pm two—point—five — which are found in exhaust fumes and industrial emissions. jyoti pande is the author of breathing here is injurious to your health and a co—founder of the nonprofit, care for air, which works to promote issues surrounding air pollution. this basically echoes international evidence that there are no safe levels of air pollution, and we know that, but i think this is the first time a specific study in a specific part of the country has been done, spelling out that there is a clear connection between the health harm that breathing pm 2.5 and other pollution does to the body. we often hear about air pollution in india. what do people who live

in places like the delhi do to cope on a daily basis? there are safety measures, for example air purifiers within our homes. they are quite good if you are in an enclosed space, but the government has put outdoor air purifiers, which is like saying let's deal with the global warming and heating by putting air—conditioners outside. small towers outdoors do not actually bring down air pollution. people indoors can help themselves by using air purifiers, masking up when they go outside during particularly highly polluted days, which is actually in delhi most of the year. unfortunately, there is not enough awareness. so a lot of people don't know about this and some of those who know about it are actually in a state of denial, and i myself have passed through that stage of not really wanting to accept that the air that i am breathing

and that i have no option but to breathe is really severely polluted and is killing me every time i take a breath. the french prime minister has warned of a "climate of hatred" after two candidates in this weekend's election were violently attacked. prisca thevenot was with a team putting up posters for the governing renaissance party when they were confronted by a group of about 20 people. ms thevenot was not badly injured, but a colleague is reported to have been taken to hospital with a broken jaw. meanwhile marie dauchy, a candidate for the far right national rally, has decided to suspend her campaign, saying she'd been attacked while out leafleting, and had also faced death threats.

now as we've been saying, voters here in the uk are casting their votes in the first general election in almost five years. and there's been a significant change in what voters need to have with them, when they go to the polling stations. kylie pentelow has more. let's look at how the election will work this year with one thing that is changing. since may of 2023, voters have to show a valid form of id at polling stations to vote in person at a general election. you don't, though, need to show your polling card. so what forms of id can you use? well, there are 22 different types including: a passport, a driving licence, a blue badge, older or disabled person's bus pass and you can use out of date photo ideas and you still look the same. alternatively, anyone registered to vote without the correct id or who no longer looks like their photo can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate. voters in northern ireland can use the electoral identity card.

if you turn up on polling day without the valid id, you will be asked to go away and come back with the right form of identification. now — here in the uk — june's weather may have felt erratic: weeks of unusual cold followed by a heatwave in parts of the country. but, for some social media users, there was nothing random about it — and that's because, in their view, the weather has been deliberately manipulated. falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the weather have been gaining traction online. bbc verify has been investigating — marco silva has more. for the first couple of weeks injune, the uk experienced temperatures around two degrees lower than average, and primarily this was due to big masses of cold air coming in from the arctic region, so called weather manipulation had nothing to do with it. the most well—known form of weather manipulation is cloud seeding. this is a technique that involves manipulating existing clouds

to produce more rain or snow. and it's true this has been done in places like the us, china and the uae before. but while public records do show that there were cloud seeding experiments in this country back in the 19505, the met office says it's not aware of any weather modification activity taking place in recent years. and it's also worth pointing out that the month ofjune was not only colder but also drier than average across the uk. but what about all the rain that fell during the winter and the spring? surely, some social media users claim, that must be the result of some form of weather manipulation of geoengineering even. let's break that down. so, scientists say climate change played a big role in the uk's waterlogged winter. and that is because, in a rapidly warming planet like ours, warm air can hold more moisture and this in turn can fuel

more intense rainfall. climate change may not be the only factor behind the wet weather, but it has certainly played an important role in it. now, sincejanuary, mentions of geoengineering on x more than doubled worldwide compared to the last six months of 2023, but some users appear to be misrepresenting what the term actually stands for. geoengineering means manipulating the environment to limit the effects of climate change. this could be done, for example, by removing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, something the uk is actively researching. but there is no evidence to suggest that doing this has any impact on short—term weather. geoengineering could also be done by reflecting some of the sun's energy back into space. that's what it's called — solar radiation management. the department for energy security

and net zero says the uk government is not deploying solar radiation management, and that it has no plans to do so. at this point, you might be wondering — why does it matter that some of these bogus claims are spreading on social media? well, in part, it's because they're having a real—world impact. weather forecasters have described an increase in the amount of abuse they're getting online. some social media users have been wrongly accusing them of lying to the public, of covering up what is supposedly really going on with the weather through tweets like this one right here. the royal meteorological society condemns this abuse. their chief executive told the bbc they work very closely with young scientists to encourage them to share their science with the public, but that these young scientists are fearful of the trolling that might take place. if you'd like to find out more about this story, you can read about it on the bbc�*s website.

let's ta ke let's take a look at dogs. these good boys and girls go along with their owners to do their democratic duty and get tied up and wait patiently outside. across the nation, doggies have been posing for their regular selfies outside the polling stations. of course, dogs at polling stations. of course, dogs at polling stations. of course, dogs at polling stations does very well on social media. let's take a look at the weather.

hello there. many of us have seen some decent spells ofjuly sunshine today. however, there have been lots of showers, particularly across the northern half of the uk and especially in western scotland where some of those downpours really quite heavy, gusty winds gusting into the 40s of miles an hour and those temperatures rubbish forjuly. glasgow saw temperatures around 14 degrees through the afternoon. the average of this time of the year is 19 degrees. and this coolish run of weather is going to continue through friday and into the weekend, beyond as well. suppose where thejuly sunshine comes out, it is still going to feel ok. it's just temperatures will be a little bit lower than normal. now looking at the weather picture overnight tonight, the rain continues for western scotland, driven in by those blustery winds. further southwards, we've got a new band of rain that starts to push into southern england, perhaps affecting parts of southern wales and temperatures broadly similar to those of last night. now, this area of rain that we have across the south of england on friday will actually develop into a new area of low pressure by the time we get to saturday. what all this means is we do have more rain on the way. the rain initially across southern parts of england, maybe the south wales area, and perhaps wriggling into east anglia through the day.

further north, it's a much brighter day for scotland, northern ireland, northern england. the winds a good deal lighter. there'll be much more in the way of sunshine and temperatures a couple of degrees higher. so we are ticking lots of boxes here. however, there is still a risk of a few passing showers affecting northern areas. not as many, though, as we've seen today. on into saturday, that low pressure really winds up. and so we've got more general outbreaks of rain across parts of scotland, central and eastern england, cold winds coming down the north sea, probably the best of the driest and sunniest weather will be across wales and south west england. a few showers this time affecting northern ireland and our temperatures 18 in london, average forjuly is 24. so again we are getting short changed. probably starting off the day on sunday dry with some sunshine, but sunday is a showery day. the showers become quite widespread, some of them turning heavy and thundery come the afternoon and little change with the temperatures. i'm afraid once again it will be relatively cool forjuly, and that kind of pattern of cool and settled weather is set

to continue through much of next week as well. that's the latest. bye— bye. live from london. this is bbc news. one of the uk's biggest tv stars —

holly willoughby thanks police, after court finds a man guilty of plotting to abduct rape and murder her. israel says it's evaluating what it describes as "new ideas" by hamas to mediators — aimed at ending the war in gaza. ballots are being cast in the uk's firstjuly general election since 1945 — with up to forty—six million people choosing a new government. hurricane beryl brings two hundred and twenty kilometers per hour winds and heavy rains to jamaica — the storm is now heading towards mexico. hello, i'm rich preston — you're watching bbc news. we start with breaking news this afternoon in the uk and a security guard has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder. a security guard from essex has been

found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder of one of the country's biggest tv stars — holly willoughby. gavin plumb from harlow sent graphic and sexually motivated plans online which involved invading the broadcaster's home and keeping her in a dungeon. in the past few minutes — we have had a statement from holly willoughby, it reads... she also said...

our correspondent lizo mzimba is at chelmsford crown court. i'd like to pick up on the end of that statement. first taking gavin plumb previous victims. yes. that statement. first taking gavin plumb previous victims. yes, gavin plumb previous victims. yes, gavin plumb had — plumb previous victims. yes, gavin plumb had previous _ plumb previous victims. yes, gavin plumb had previous convictions i plumb previous victims. yes, gavin plumb had previous convictions for| plumb had previous convictions for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment dating back to 2006 and 2008, the second of those offences, which was false imprisonment against 216—year—old girls who he worked with in woolworths in harlow. he received a 32 month sentence in prison. this was one of the things the prosecution pointed out to the jury. they said even if he said this was all fantasy when talking about holly willoughby this was a man who had done these things for real. he crossed over the line from fantasy

into reality to committing offences against real life women. my colleague charlotte gallagher has been looking back at the details of this very dark and disturbing case. holly willoughby, one of the uk's most popular and successful television presenters. this was her final appearance on this morning, before her life changed dramatically. police! as later that day, gavin plumb was arrested for plotting her kidnap, rape and murder. at the moment you're under arrest for conspiracy to kidnap. _ who? holly willoughby. i don't think those ones are. warm. i'm not gonna lie. she's a fantasy of mine. i mean, she's a fantasy for a lot of guys. plumb had even assembled a kidnap kit, which he filmed himself. 0k, we'll try his two sets of handcuffs. one set of... police found chloroform in his home and saw he had researched realistic looking weapons.

he'd also scoured the internet for how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities, and he found some, even sending voice notes about his plans. we're then going to force her to make a video, just saying that she come with us under her own free will, and she's fully consenting into everything we do to her. so that covers us. but one of those people he met online was, in fact an undercover policeman in the united states. plumb told him he knew where holly lived, her routine, and how he was planning to abduct her. that detective was so concerned he contacted the fbi and police here. much of the evidence that we've heard in court has been distressing — some of it's been too graphic and violent to broadcast. gavin plumb was obsessed with holly willoughby and spent hours and hours discussing kidnap plans. he told the jury it was just a celebrity crush.

they didn't believe him. gavin plumb told the court he was just a fantasist. but this isn't the first time he's committed crimes like this. he has previous convictions for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment. i would say that gavin plumb is a dangerous individual to women, that can be seen from his previous convictions, where he has already overpowered women, and it is demonstrated by the conversations that he was having with others online, and the graphic and disturbing messages that they were sending between themselves about what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it. holly willoughby didn't appear in court, but has worked with police. the victim in the case has been really brave. we've been in regular contact with holly willoughby, and we've supported holly willoughby, as we would any woman or girl that's subjected to these offences. but she's waived her anonymity, which has allowed the majority

of this evidence to be heard in court and reported on, which actually brings the issue of violence against women and girls to the forefront of everyone's mind, which is really, really important. this case was about sexual violence, humiliation and degradation. gavin plumb said it was online chat, something that would never happen. the jury decided his plans were very real. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. thejury the jury sat through five days of evidence and deliberated for more than nine hours before reaching for a unanimous verdict of guilty on all three charges for the incitement to kidnap, incitement to rape and incitement to murder. the investigation was carried out by essex police because gavin plumb lives here in harlow in essex. it consisted most of messages on line

and swell well as what's up messages and swell well as what's up messages and the evidence of the undercover officer from the united states was up officer from the united states was up the senior investigating officer, dci greg wood has been speaking about the case and spoke on the steps of the police stations a little earlier this afternoon. gavin plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim. he was not just obsessed with holly willoughby, as he claimed. he carefully planned over a number of years to carry out a violent attack, in which he plotted to kidnap her from her home, take her to a remote location, and ultimately take her life. his claims in court that he was a fantasist are simply not true and were evidenced by the extent of which he plotted with others to carry out his wicked plan. gavin plumb also has a history of attacking other women, attempting to kidnap them, using weapons and threats of violence.

he is a dangerous man and i have no doubt he was determined to carry out the acts as he planned. gavin plumb had denied the charges. he said he was a fantasist, he never intended to put these things into reality. he said the kidnap restraint kit was for use with a consensual partner. he said he bought chloroform and googled how long can chloroform incapacitate an individual because he wanted to clean a persistent staying in his kitchen and he was concerned about whether the fumes might overcome him and a family member. he wept in the dark when thejury and a family member. he wept in the dark when the jury verdict was read out this afternoon. the jury clearly did not believe his defence that he was a fantasist and his excuses for what the evidence had been put forward from the prosecution, what the prosecution said that it showed. he will be sentenced in a week time on friday, the 12th ofjuly. he's

already served time in prison for false imprisonment and he's been remanded in custody until next week's sentencing can be carried out. , , ., ., ., out. outside chelmsford crown court. thank ou out. outside chelmsford crown court. thank you very _ out. outside chelmsford crown court. thank you very much. _ an israeli government official has said the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, is to send a negotiating team to take part in talks aimed at securing the release of hostages held by hamas in gaza. the announcement follows new proposals put forward by hamas. it's not yet known what new ideas the group's proposal contains. negotiations aimed at agreeing a deal have been deadlocked for weeks. hamas had earlier demanded that any deal must include an end to the war and the withdrawal of all israeli troops from gaza — terms rejected by mr netanyahu. meanwhile, israel says it struck several hezbollah positions in lebanon, after the militants launched

a major rocket and drone attack across the border. the group's barrage was in retaliation for the killing of a senior hezbollah commander on wednesday. muhammad nimah nasser is one of the most senior hezbollah figures to have been killed in nearly nine months of cross—border clashes. these pictures were sent to us by the news agency afp, which says they were posted online showing the aftermath. let's speak to our middle east correspondent lina sinjab in beirut. good evening. tell us more about these counter strikes over the border. , , ., ., ., border. this is a tit-for-tat situation — border. this is a tit-for-tat situation that _ border. this is a tit-for-tat situation that has - border. this is a tit-for-tat situation that has been i border. this is a tit-for-tat i situation that has been ongoing border. this is a tit-for-tat - situation that has been ongoing for the past nine months. sometimes it's quiet, sometimes it's intensified. this is the first time we see them coming out and denouncing the killing of a senior commander, the top commander that is been killed so far. since the start of this cross—border violence following the 7th of october has villa loss 400

people, most of them are fighters. but this one is the most senior ones. we heard officials yesterday saying there would be retaliation, launching rockets from lebanon into israel started yesterday and continued today for the over 200 rockets were launched. of course israel is retaliating but also here in root israel broke the sound barrier today, which sent waves of shock and fear among the lebanese was a tense situation in this country and it is been ongoing for months and months. no one underground is eager or keen to have a full—fledged war. this is a country that is struggling with its economy, hardly making it and they don't want to go into another war that will cripple the economy even

further. they say they don't want a full—fledged board but they want to respond when they are threatened. you mentioned there is a call for calm and not wanting to escalate. briefly, has there been response from the lebanese government? ihla from the lebanese government? th? official response yet but the lebanese government has repeatedly announced they are not interested in announced they are not interested in a war, this is not a time for war. even recently went there was reports about hiding weapons in the airport they rushed immediately to take the diplomat to show them that this is a civil aviation airport. to spare it any heads from israel. the very nervous, very cautious and they certainly don't want any attention to escalate into a full—fledged war. lina sinjab in beirut, thank you.

staying in the uk — and millions of people are voting in the general election. 40—thousand polling stations in 650 seats are open until ten o'clock in the evening. it is the first general election where voters will need to show phototgraphic id. many of the party leaders have been casting their ballots this morning, as our political correspondent sean curran now reports. it's decision time. across the uk, tens of thousands of polling stations opened at seven o'clock this morning. the prime minister, rishi sunak, cast his vote in yorkshire. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, voted in north london. the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, posed for photographers in southwest london. and the snp leader, john swinney, walked to a village hall in perthshire to cast his vote. in north wales, the plaid cymru leader rhun ap iorwerth voted in anglesey and the green co—leader carla denyer cast her vote in the west of england.

many people have already voted by post, including the leader of reform uk, nigel farage. the polls are open until ten o'clock. you'll need to show an accepted form of photo id, such as a passport, driving licence or an older or disabled person's bus pass. if you've asked for a postal vote and it hasn't turned up, you can go in person to your local council to ask for a replacement ballot paper before five o'clock. and if you've got a postal vote but haven't sent it back, you can still drop it off at the polling station today in england, scotland, and wales or ask someone else to do it on your behalf. at this royal mail office, they're sorting through completed postal votes to get them to the right place to be counted. if somebody opts to vote by post, we will get the postal vote to them. that goes out in something we call a ballot pack. they then return the postal vote and let's get a clear,

purple strip in it. all our machines are set up to automate that process. but on the very final day, we do a final—day sweep just to make sure everything that comes through, even on the very last day, we can get to the returning officers. and here in london, that's to 16 different returning officers. most of us vote in person, whether it's at a laundrette, a hairdresser�*s, or at the local hall. and some of us take our best friend. voting is taking place for all 650 seats in the house of commons. the candidate with the most votes in each constituency will be elected as an mp. to secure a majority and form a government, a political party needs to win at least 326 seats. sean curran, bbc news, westminster. you can have all the latest on the

bbc news website and app. a reminder, you can watch the general election results live on bbc one in the uk. and here on the bbc news channel as well where it will be accompanied by a british sign language interpreter. that's from nine 50 5pm all the way into friday. joe biden has insisted — again — that he won't pull out of the us presidential race, despite appeals from a growing number of fellow democrats. mr biden, who's 81, says he would not be pushed out of november's election. but speaking to a local radio station in wisconsin — a swing state he needs to win — the president did accept that last week's tv debate with donald trump had not gone well. take a listen. i had a bad night, and the fact of the matter is that, you know, it was... i screwed up, i made a mistake. that's 90 minutes on stage — look at what i've done in 3.5 years.

our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal has more on the pressure that the biden campaign is currently under. as far as president biden is concerned, he is going nowhere. he released this statement yesterday and has met governors last night and has reassured them. but he is saying that he is in the race to win it, he is not going anywhere. obviously as journalists we are signed up to the biden campaign e—mails, as we are with the trump campaign e—mails, and just this morning there was an e—mail from his campaign team to all of us, acknowledging what happened on that debate night and saying, "it wasn't my best performance," and to quote him, "i screwed up." but i don't think it is going to quell any of the questions or concerns. his presidential candidacy is under a dark cloud, fuelled by the american media, which quite simply feels that the president has not been honest with them. and that has led to these negative

headlines, day after day. you know that donald trump dominates the news headlines here, he dominates the news cycle, we have not really heard from him officially, or heard about him. we've got news editorial boards calling on president biden to stand down, in their eyes, for the sake of democracy. that has sparked a lot of anger by biden supporters who say, well, why didn't you do the same thing for donald trump, who is a convicted felon? senior democrats are talking about president biden's health. jim clyburn, a very close ally of president biden, said yesterday that if there was going to be a replacement, they could do mini primaries. but i think the fact that he is even saying that says something. but as far as president biden is concerned he's going to keep continuing. but the scrutiny on him will be huge. i think he will be scrutinised in a way that he probably has never been before. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

let's look at the latest now on hurricane beryl — one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the caribbean. it's currently battering the cayman islands with heavy rains and roaring winds. despite being downgraded to a category three storm, local reports say some areas have now lost power. beryl has already swept the southern coast of jamaica with sustained winds of 220 kilometres an hour, damaging buildings and felling trees. these pictures are from montego bay. and there's been damaging flooding too — these pictures are from jamaica's capital, kingston. the storm first made landfall in grenada — this is some of the damage there. the prime minister said the island of carriacou has been flattened. at least ten people are now known to have died. king charles has issued a statement to the people of the caribbean — in which he says he has been profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction caused

by hurricane beryl — and that his thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives, livelihoods and property have been so utterly devastated. tom hanson is a correspondent with our partners cbs news — he's in montego bay injamaica and sent this update. we're getting a better sense of the damge as the day goes on, of the damage as the day goes on, as we get more daylight. i'm standing on one of the main thoroughfares here in montego bay. this is one of the sites where there has been substantial damage. but there are people on the ground here who are clearing the way, that's why you're seeing cars able to pass what was once an impassable road. i want to show you just the scale of this. this is the size of the tree, taller than me, that was yanked out of the earth from the sheer ferocity of the winds brought by beryl. i also want to point out an interesting thing. for these storms that are out

at sea, the sea is that way, the tree is pointed towards the sea, that's because we're on the dirty side of the storm. now, can ivf fertility treatment help white rhinos roaming wild on africa's savannahs? here's our science editor rebecca morelle. zanta is a 22—year—old adult southern white rhino. she's unable to have calves of her own, but scientists want her valuable genes to live on. she's having her eggs harvested. first, she's given some anaesthetic. and once the team are sure she's asleep, they get to work. a specialist team from germany has flown to dublin zoo for the procedure. zanta is being checked all the time while she is under sedation. for the last week, she's been given a special hormone injection to help her produce eggs, but collecting them is far from easy. it requires painstaking precision. the hope is, though, that she could help to safeguard the future of her species.

the scientists want to harness zanta's genes for the wild rhino population. southern white rhinos almost went extinct. there were just a few dozen left. now their numbers have recovered, but they're all descended from that tiny group, so they lack genetic diversity. but rhinos in zoos have been carefully crossbred so their genes are more mixed up. a wider genetic diversity gives for a healthier population in terms of disease, in terms of their ability to survive. so zanta having wonderful genetics that are worth preserving, we know from a previous reproductive assessment that she can't breed. the great thing about this is that zanta will be represented in future generations of rhino. the scientists look inside zanta's ovaries on the ultrasound. the scientists look inside zanta's ovaries. on the ultrasound, they locate her eggs inside follicles, small sacs of fluid that appear as dark circles. they extract them using

an ultra fine needle. good. good reaction. it's taken years to develop and perfect this fertility technology. it's an extreme form of conservation, but scientists say it's vital. they are products of evolution for millions of years. and they didn't fail in evolution. they are not bullet—proof and they were wiped out by human activity, and i think we have really the responsibility as scientists to provide new solutions to make it possible that the rhinos can live another million years. in a makeshift lab, the researchers take stock of what they've found. they've extracted four eggs. three are of high quality. they're packed up and will be taken to a fertility centre in italy to create new southern white rhino embryos. rhino ivf is still in its infancy, but the hope is they could eventually be implanted in a female surrogate. it's a lot of effort. a lot of people invest a lot of energy and time and effort,

and in the end, we actually come home with a few cells. but however, these cells have the potential to become embryos and to form a new rhino, a huge two—tonne animal so, yeah, it is worth it. but it's always a relief when we have a good outcome in the end. a few minutes after the procedure, zanta is up — a little unsteady at first. although she doesn't know it, the eggs she's donated could make a big difference in ensuring the survival of future generations of southern white rhinos. rebecca morrelle, bbc news, dublin zoo. much bbc news, dublin zoo. more on that and all the ot stories much more on that and all the other stories on the bbc news website and news app. i will be back soon. hello there. many of us have seen some decent

spells ofjuly sunshine today. however, there have been lots of showers, particularly across the northern half of the uk and especially in western scotland where some of those downpours really quite heavy, gusty winds gusting into the 40s of miles an hour and those temperatures rubbish forjuly. glasgow saw temperatures around 14 degrees through the afternoon. the average of this time of the year is 19 degrees. and this coolish run of weather is going to continue through friday

and into the weekend,

beyond as well. suppose where thejuly sunshine comes out, it is still going to feel ok. it's just temperatures be a little bit lower than normal. now looking at the weather picture overnight tonight, the rain continues for western scotland, driven in by those blustery winds. further southwards, we've got a new band of rain that starts to push into southern england, perhaps affecting parts of southern wales and temperatures broadly similar to those of last night. now, this area of rain that we have across the south of england friday will actually develop into a new area of low pressure by the time we get to saturday. what all this means is we do have more rain on the way. the rain initially across southern parts of england, maybe the south wales area, and perhaps wriggling into east anglia through the day. further north, it's a much brighter day for scotland, northern ireland, northern england. the winds a good deal lighter. there'll be much more in the way of sunshine and temperatures a couple of degrees higher. so we are ticking lots of boxes here. however, there is still a risk of a few passing showers affecting northern areas. not as many, though, as we've seen today on into saturday, that low pressure really winds up. and so we've got more general outbreaks of rain across parts of scotland, central and eastern england, cold winds coming down the north sea, probably the best of the driest

and sunniest weather, will be across wales and south west england. a few showers this time affecting northern ireland and our temperatures 18 in london. average forjuly is 24. so again we are getting short changed, probably starting off the day on sunday. dry with some sunshine, but sunday is a showery day. the showers become quite widespread, some of them turning heavy and thundery come the afternoon and little change with the temperatures. i'm afraid once again it will be relatively cool forjuly, and that kind of pattern of cool and settled weather is set to continue through much of next week as well. that's the latest. bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines one of the uk's biggest tv stars — holly willoughby thanks police, after court finds a man guilty of plotting to abduct rape and murder her. israel is sending a delegation to resume talks aimed at securing the release of hostages held by hamas in gaza. ballots are being cast in the uk's firstjuly general election since 1945 — with up to forty—six million people choosing a new government. and why parent like an eagle? — two adult eagles in isle of mull forgo a year of breeding to look two adult eagles in isle of mull forgo a year of breeding to look after their wounded offspring. him sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. now as we've been reporting, millions of voters here in the uk we'll have the latest from the england camp,

ahead of their euros quarter final with switzerland this weekend. but first, and update from wimbledon — and a battle of the brits today at sw19, let's get the latest now, from chetah pathak, and chetan, something of a shock in the women's draw involving the british number one. 16 of the last seven matches going into this and took the first set by six games to four but credit to her, six games to four but credit to her, six games to one and i thought she really stepped it up in this match it off when they play, dart students to fade away but she did not this time, a tie—break in the decider at one point she looked a shiver run away from her and fly back to when it ended talking about the win afterwards and picking up especially around port number one not this time, a tie—break in the decider 1.0672 down and she looked that she

had run away from her and fly back to when it and talking about the wind afterwards and picking up especially around port number one and outside the courts as well and it is harriet dart and she will play the chinese player next week after knocking outjessica, the second week of this grand slam if she can continue on her way and great british tories and shake his right of the top of that list alongside harriet and his gun out to know that djokovic really gave the number one something to think about. it issues with disney having surgery last month but outstanding and a player who was outside the top 500 a month ago and 22 years old from scotland and it not been on centre court or played on centre court and was terrific even for two sets down and getting himself on the scoresheet and getting the set of mill djokovic he did go down in four sets in the end but he did say was not a problem with disney but he was not moving as well as he would've liked it on the

centre, talking with the windy conditions that gave full dues to jake and he is someone will be seeing much more of the battle of the brits and court number one because jack draper is taking on cam norrie we see number two and sing the same storyline play out at the moment here on court one because gm is taking the first set jack traber by seven games to six and second set, the check who came to the championships with real momentum reminding everyone that he is a man to contend with draper has work to do for sure it will keep you up—to—date on that i would stay on centre court. they'll be playing and andy denied this singles farewell that he wanted because of that cyst he had removed on his spinal cord

that caused problems in his right leg and is been struggling for movement and we will see him in the men's doubles and why the british lines to bring you, beaten by dario and i was at the start of the day, six in 15 minutes and be as stocky, the exporting champion goes on the full—time french open champion in the us open champion of the road number one invite only take you to centre. you can see she is receiving treatment in a cottage at the corner of my eye struggling for movement a little bit there at the moment and leading by four games to three and you can see on the scoreboard, behind me let's hope that they were able to continue to get treatment from the physio— of the moment and will leave it there in front as she

looks to make her path all the way here in wimbledon was to make the transition successfully from clay to grass we know about her pedigree on the courts and kovacic that onto the grass, the wait—and—see for a hand back and twice, the battle of the veterans and madison keys, dennis such a busy day, the championships and much more for you and 630, back to you. england are stepping up their preparations for saturday's euro 2024 quarter—final against switzerland. defenderjohn stones has said he will be fit for the clash in dusseldorf, but manager gareth southgate will be forced to make one change with mark guehi

missing through suspension. it has been rumoured that england could line up with a back three but the manchester city defender wouldn't be drawn on them. two different sides into outlooks especially. our position was as well it causes a problem and i think you're really fluid in both and that comes down to us we get on the pitch but to put it into practice. and in training, different positions even different scenarios as well and makes it seem less and less of a good thing for us and we'll be ready to play and we know each other place. now as we've been reporting, millions of voters here in the uk are casting their votes in the first general election in almost five years. let me show you the scene

live at westminster. well — this year there's been a significant change in what voters need to have with them, when they go to the polling stations. kylie pentelow has more. let's look at how the election will work this year with one thing that is changing. since may of 2023, voters of the show a valid form of idea polling stations to vote in person at a general election. what forms of id can you use. there are 22 different types, including a passport, a driving licence, a blue badge, order or disabled persons bus pass and you can use out of date photo id as long as you still look the same and alternatively, it would register to vote without the correct id or no longer looks like their

photo can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate. voters in northern ireland can use the election identity card. if you turn up without the valid id, you'll be asked to go away and come back with the right form of identification. you can find all the latest on the bbc news website and app. and a reminder — you can watch the general election results programme live on bbc one in the uk and here on the bbc news channel around the world from 9:55pm bst — all the way into friday. a former teacher's been sentenced to six and a half years for having sex with two schoolboys. 30 year old rebecca joynes from salford had a baby with one of the boys.

she was found guilty of 6 sex offences after a trial at manchester crown court in may. she was on bail for sexual activity with the first boy, when she became pregnant by the second. our correspondent nick garnett has more on the case. two pupils of the school at which she taught, they were too young and too naive to really know what was going on. she showered one of them with presence, she took one of them to a shopping centre where she spent £345 on a gucci belt before taking him back to herflat and having six with him. when he told his parents a couple of days later by what had happened, they went to the police. she was suspended from herjob but that wasn't the end of it. she started another relationship while she was on bail with the police waiting to know what would happen with those charges, and she started another relationship with another boy.

she became pregnant by that boy and carried on a relationship with him until he was 17. today, he gave a statement to the court in which he said that she had coerced and controlled him, thatjust because he was male, it didn't make many less of a victim. he said there was no support for people in a position such as him as a male victim of sexual abuse. he also said that he was not only a victim but his whole family was a victim as well as his child. sending her to prison today, the judge described joynes as predatory and manipulative and that she had brought all of this on herself. she was convicted after a nine—day long trial at manchester crown court to two months ago. she had been granted bail and arrived at court today knowing what was going to happen. she had been told she would be getting a custodial sentence and be sent to prison. the prison sentences a total of six years, three years of it will be sent in prison itself with three further

years when she will be on licence. if she misbehaves in any way, she will be sent back to prison. convicted of six offences, it's just on it's an awful case and one that it has really affected that a level of trust and highlights the problems that she had both with her own morality and the well—being of the children that she was looking after. a team of professional gamers at the e—sports world cup in saudi arabia are wearing kits in the rainbow colours of the pride flag. team liquid say they're using the jumper to protest the country's anti—gay laws, and to make a positive difference at the tournament. let's speak to steve arhancet, co—ceo of team liquid.

talk us through the jumper and we decided to wear it. lt is talk us through the 'umper and we decided to wear it.— decided to wear it. it is good to be heafina decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as — decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as you _ decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as you can _ decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as you can see, _ decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as you can see, we - decided to wear it. it is good to be hearing as you can see, we are i hearing as you can see, we are wearing a jersey that features the bright colours and our logo and crest and this is something that was really important to us because we have been wearing these jerseys at all competitions during july and august and to compete with them in saudi arabia posts and challenges however, we worked diligently to make a difference and ensure that we could wear these when we are competing here the festive competition was yesterday and so, our players and myself are wearing them right behind me will be competing in legal legends soon and also be wearing the jerseys then through the competition. just lived to the local — through the competition. just lived to the local up _ through the competition. just lived to the local up slightly _ through the competition. just lived to the local up slightly so - through the competition. just lived to the local up slightly so we i through the competition. just lived to the local up slightly so we can i to the local up slightly so we can get a closer look if he could, please, perfect, thank you very

much. and many would say, it's quite a small logo but when you this big stadium behind you, know what is going to see it, do you think you'll make that much of a difference as you like the mix of huge difference in may look small and have the set “p in may look small and have the set up with photography and there's artie been in media day and zoomed in shots and also the players. being featured on — in shots and also the players. being featured on the _ in shots and also the players. being featured on the broadcast _ in shots and also the players. ea: “u; featured on the broadcast and we will be featured wearing the pride jersey and prayed colours on the back and much biggerfuture jersey and prayed colours on the back and much bigger future there for us, this is about us being inclusive and sticking to her values that are very important to team liquid in the region of the world where it is illegal to be gay and this is not been done before and being able to wear these jerseys and i have this broadcasted to the arab world on nbc and other digital networks where millions of people will be able to see the shows

representation where, representation didn't exist before. and that makes a big difference for any queer style with these saudi arabians who can see a pride flag on broadcast that shows that there may be change happening in this region of the world. giee there may be change happening in this region of the world.— this region of the world. give us a showin: this region of the world. give us a showing of— this region of the world. give us a showing of the — this region of the world. give us a showing of the back _ this region of the world. give us a showing of the back of _ this region of the world. give us a showing of the back of your i this region of the world. give us a | showing of the back of yourjersey. steve from team liquid. thank you very much. was high temperatures expected in paris, organises them to think more

than ever about how to mitigate against the effect of climate change on athletes and making sure events take place safely. speaking with some of the marathon runners were preparing for the heat. phil is one of the uk's fast as marathon runners and just over a year ago, he was a junior doctor in the nhs. in the 31—year—old won the london marathon and now, he's preparing for his first olympics. i’m and now, he's preparing for his first olympics— and now, he's preparing for his first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and _ first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and never _ first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and never drew _ first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and never drew the - first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and never drew the art - first olympics. i'm delighted, very excited and never drew the art for| first olympics. i'm delighted, very. excited and never drew the art for a long time and this is a lot further than i thought i would get in the sport and training for years and years and it's going to be competing at the pinnacle of the sport is really exciting.— really exciting. like every olympian. _ really exciting. like every olympian, phil— really exciting. like every olympian, phil has - really exciting. like every i olympian, phil has designed really exciting. like every - olympian, phil has designed the weather forecast. olympian, phil has designed the weatherforecast. paris olympian, phil has designed the weather forecast. paris is olympian, phil has designed the weatherforecast. paris is at olympian, phil has designed the weather forecast. paris is at 23 heat waves since 2010 according to

france and climate change is making extreme temperatures more and more likely. it extreme temperatures more and more likel . u, extreme temperatures more and more likel . u, , extreme temperatures more and more likel. , ., , ., extreme temperatures more and more likel. , ., ., likely. it can be really warm and so, bi likely. it can be really warm and so. big things — likely. it can be really warm and so, big things to _ likely. it can be really warm and so, big things to show— likely. it can be really warm and so, big things to show that - likely. it can be really warm and | so, big things to show that we're for that and there's always a chance of a heat wave that we have seen in europe of the last few years the summers and want to make sure that we are really well prepared. fir summers and want to make sure that we are really well prepared.— we are really well prepared. or the wa s of we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing _ we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing that _ we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing that is _ we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing that is running - we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing that is running in - we are really well prepared. or the ways of doing that is running in 40| ways of doing that is running in a0 degrees heat especially in this chamber at the university. phil steamer monitoring the blood plasma levels to see effort and heart rate so they can see how his body and mind are handling the high temperatures. 50 mind are handling the high temperatures.— mind are handling the high temperatures. mind are handling the high temeratures. ., temperatures. so we can lose heat more effectively _ temperatures. so we can lose heat more effectively and _ temperatures. so we can lose heat more effectively and perceptually i more effectively and perceptually feels more comfortable in the hot environments will be better for basing — environments will be better for basing reduce the risk of heat stroke — basing reduce the risk of heat stroke and how much impact will this

have on his — stroke and how much impact will this have on his performance _ stroke and how much impact will this have on his performance and - stroke and how much impact will this have on his performance and race - have on his performance and race date? ., , , , ., ,, date? one or 2% blood is massive in this environment. _ date? one or 296 blood is massive in this environment. but _ date? one or 296 blood is massive in this environment. but it's _ date? one or 296 blood is massive in this environment. but it's not - date? one or 296 blood is massive in this environment. but it's notjust i this environment. but it's not 'ust about getting fl this environment. but it's not 'ust about getting competitive i this environment. but it's notjust about getting competitive edge, l about getting competitive edge, sustainable sport says that the heat can pose a serious risk to athlete's health and in extreme cases, lead to death. which is why he training is becoming even more crucial. hog? death. which is why he training is becoming even more crucial. how was that was it wasn't fun in the slightest pressure _ it wasn't fun in the slightest pressure have to do it. with trainint pressure have to do it. with training over _ pressure have to do it. with training over comes - pressure have to do it. with training over comes time i pressure have to do it. tn training over comes time check of the results of heart rate was lower but comfort was lower than last

time. ., , ., but comfort was lower than last time. ., ,, ., ,., but comfort was lower than last time. ., ,, ., ., ., time. how did you feel about all of that? i time. how did you feel about all of that? l thought — time. how did you feel about all of that? i thought better— time. how did you feel about all of that? i thought better than - time. how did you feel about all of that? i thought better than i - time. how did you feel about all of that? i thought better than i did i that? i thought better than i did three weeks _ that? i thought better than i did three weeks ago _ that? i thought better than i did three weeks ago doing - that? i thought better than i did three weeks ago doing this - that? i thought better than i did three weeks ago doing this test| that? i thought better than i did i three weeks ago doing this test but we always want more as athletes. fits we always want more as athletes. as of the training in the lab, for those also using less high—tech methods by running in thermal layers. and it is notjust top athletes who can transfer the heat, these techniques can help anyone. experts say if you do exercise in hot conditions, it is important to pace yourself and not necessarily go for your personal best. now — here in the uk — june's weather may have felt erratic: weeks of unusual cold followed by a heatwave in parts of the country. but, for some social media users, there was nothing random about it — and that's because, in their view, the weather has been deliberately manipulated.

falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the weather have been gaining traction online. bbc verify has been investigating — marco silva has more. for the first couple of weeks, you can experience temperatures around 2 degrees lower than average. primarily this is to the big masses of cold air coming in from the arctic region. region, so called weather manipulation had nothing to do with it. the most well—known form of weather manipulation is cloud seeding. this is a technique that involves manipulating existing clouds to produce more rain or snow. and it's true this has been done in places like the us, china and the uae before. but while public records do show that there were cloud seeding experiments in this country back in the 19505, the met office says it's not aware of any weather modification activity taking place in recent years. and it's also worth pointing out that the month ofjune was not only colder but also drier than average across the uk. but what about all the rain that fell during the winter and the spring?

surely, some social media users claim, that must be the result of some form of weather manipulation of geoengineering even. let's break that down. so, scientists say climate change played a big role in the uk's waterlogged winter. and that is because, in a rapidly warming planet like ours, warm air can hold more moisture and this in turn can fuel more intense rainfall. climate change may not be the only factor behind the wet weather, but it has certainly played an important role in it. now, sincejanuary, mentions of geoengineering on x more than doubled worldwide compared to the last six months of 2023, but some users appear to be misrepresenting what the term actually stands for. geoengineering means manipulating the environment to limit the effects of climate change.

this could be done, for example, by removing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, something the uk is actively researching. but there is no evidence to suggest that doing this has any impact on short—term weather. geoengineering could also be done by reflecting some of the sun's energy back into space. that's what it's called — solar radiation management. the department for energy security and net zero says the uk government is not deploying solar radiation management, and that it has no plans to do so. at this point, you might be wondering — why does it matter that some of these bogus claims are spreading on social media? well, in part, it's because they're having a real—world impact. weather forecasters have described an increase in the amount of abuse they're getting online. some social media users have been wrongly accusing them of lying to the public,

of covering up what is supposedly really going on with the weather through tweets like this one right here. the royal meteorological society condemns this abuse. their chief executive told the bbc they work very closely with young scientists to encourage them to share their science with the public, but that these young scientists are fearful of the trolling that might take place. if you'd like to find out more about this story, you can read about it on the bbc�*s website. a pair of white—tailed eagles on the isle of mull are still caring for their youngster a year after it was hurt in a nest fall. the rspb said the young eagle injured its wing during stormy weather lastjuly. the adult eagles have skipped breeding this year, which conservationists say is very unusual. our reporter aileen clarke has more. the isle of mull is home to 23 pairs of sea eagles, including these two featured on bbc springwatch. oh, wow!

and it's this very pair who are surprising eagle experts not with their fishing skills, but their parenting approach. white—tailed sea eagles, with a wingspan of 8ft, build huge nests and, last year, a nest like this plummeted to earth during a storm, injuring one of the chicks. the chick is able to fly around now, but with a clear kink in its wing, it's keeping close to its parents — like here, sitting behind its dad. the local rspb ranger has been monitoring its progress. as we neared this site, one of the adults came out to the boat, took a fish and flew back towards the shore. as it did so, we could hear the food—begging, screeching calls of a chick, which is the sort of call we hear injuly and august when they're just fledging. and, suddenly, in flew the chick from last year, flying reasonably well, considering what its wing looks like, and it followed its father

into the nest and the dad relinquished the fish and gave it up. and we were just looking at each other in astonishment. the attention mum and dad are showering on the chick is unprecedented, he believes — tough love being much more the norm. normally, the eaglets disperse in the autumn and that's the last the parents see of them. in fact, if they did return the following year, they would not get a very warm welcome. they'd probably be chased off. so the fact that this pair have now put on hold their breeding for this year and are still caring for their chick from last year is just totally amazing and new to all of us. at some stage, the parents may decide it's time to reclaim the spare room and forjunior to do his own fishing. but, in the meantime, these spectacular birds of prey are a study in patient, supportive parenting. aileen clarke, bbc news. an iconic wildlife park in australia has decided to stop offering people the chance

to cuddle a koala. the lone pine koala sanctuary in the state of queensland has entertained everyone from swift visits by popstars to a pope and russian president vladimir putin. but as of this month, the small zoo has decided it will no longer offer "koala hold experiences" — in response to visitor feedback. many other australian states have long ago banned the practice and animal rights groups hope this is a sign it will be phased out nation—wide. the creatures are solitary, mostly nocturnal animals who sleep most of the day, so soon their naps won't be interrupted. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. many of us have seen some decent spells ofjuly sunshine today. however, there have been lots of showers, particularly across the northern half of the uk and especially in western scotland where some of those downpours really quite heavy, gusty winds gusting into the a0s of miles an hour and those temperatures rubbish forjuly. glasgow saw temperatures around 1a degrees through the afternoon. the average of this time of the year is 19 degrees. and this coolish run of weather is going to continue through friday and into the weekend, beyond as well. suppose where thejuly sunshine comes out, it is still going to feel ok. it's just temperatures be a little bit lower than normal. now looking at the weather picture overnight tonight, the rain continues for western scotland, driven in by those blustery winds. further southwards, we've got

a new band of rain that starts to push into southern england, perhaps affecting parts of southern wales and temperatures broadly similar to those of last night. now, this area of rain that we have across the south of england friday will actually develop into a new area of low pressure by the time we get to saturday. what all this means is we do have more rain on the way. the rain initially across southern parts of england, maybe the south wales area, and perhaps wriggling into east anglia through the day. further north, it's a much brighter day for scotland, northern ireland, northern england. the winds a good deal lighter. there'll be much more in the way of sunshine and temperatures a couple of degrees higher. so we are ticking lots of boxes here. however, there is still a risk of a few passing showers affecting northern areas. not as many, though, as we've seen today on into saturday, that low pressure really winds up. and so we've got more general outbreaks of rain across parts of scotland,

central and eastern england, cold winds coming down the north sea, probably the best of the driest and sunniest weather, will be across wales and south west england. a few showers this time affecting northern ireland and our temperatures 18 in london. average forjuly is 2a. so again we are getting short changed, probably starting off the day on sunday. dry with some sunshine, but sunday is a showery day. the showers become quite widespread, some of them turning heavy and thundery come the afternoon and little change with the temperatures. i'm afraid once again it will be relatively cool forjuly, and that kind of pattern of cool and settled weather is set to continue through much of next week as well. that's the latest. bye.

today at six: a man is convicted of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the tv presenter holly willoughby. police said gavin plumb was obsessed with the star and had been planning an attack for several years. gavin plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim. hurricane beryl continues to cause devastation in the caribbean. hundreds of thousands of homes are without power injamaica. ivf for southern white rhinos — the project trying to boost the threatened species in the wild. she's got it! it's harriet dart�*s day! and the british women's number two knocks out the number one in a packed day for home competitors at wimbledon. coming up on bbc news — how will england line

up against the swiss? talk of changes to gareth southgates' starting line—up ahead