the uk health secretary says the health and social care regulator in england is not fit for purpose. the leader of mexico's sinaloa cartel — one of the worlds�*s most powerful drug lords, is arrested in texas. hello. after years of planning and a full century after the french capital last hosted the games, final preparations are under way for today's opening ceremony of the summer olympics in paris. but this morning those preparations have been disrupted by what officials are calling a major sabotage attack on france's high—speed rail network. this is the scene there live this morning. the french state railway company, sncf, says its lines have been hit by arson attacks in a co—ordinated attempt to paralyse the network.

fires were started at three points on tgv lines running west, north and east of paris, with 800,000 travellers affected. eurostar services from london to paris have also been hit with several trains cancelled and services diverted off high—speed lines and onto slower routes. efforts are under way to repair the damage, but they're not expected to be completed until after the weekend. speaking at a press conference just now, the chief executive of the french rail network sncf said an investigation was in progress, but they didn't yet know who was responsible for the attacks. i don't know, there is an inquiry at the moment. the police force are looking for the people who have committed this assault against the french network, so it is ongoing. i have no information, no specific information on that.

joining us now on the line is our paris correspondent andrew harding. ata at a railway station in paris. what is happening where you are? good morninu. is happening where you are? good morning- i — is happening where you are? good morning- i am _ is happening where you are? good morning. i am at _ is happening where you are? good morning. i am at the _ is happening where you are? good morning. i am at the gare - is happening where you are? (13r>r>:c morning. i am at the gare du is happening where you are? (emf. morning. i am at the gare du nord in the centre of paris, crowded scenes, not too chaotic, there are some train is coming and going, but the high—speed lines, tgv, up to 300 kilometres an hour, to europe, germany, amsterdam, brussels, london, those are running very late if they are running at all. i spoke to an official who said they are diverting the high—speed trains on two regular lines, meaning the network is moving but it has a knock—on effect on two other trains. although there was some movement, there is also a huge disruption, trains delay two, three hours already, a lot of people waiting to get out of paris for the summer

holidays. many more people trying to get into the city for the opening ceremony tonight.— get into the city for the opening ceremony tonight. what are the authorities _ ceremony tonight. what are the authorities saying _ ceremony tonight. what are the authorities saying about - ceremony tonight. what are the authorities saying about who . ceremony tonight. what are the i authorities saying about who might be behind the attack and how it has happened? be behind the attack and how it has ha ened? , ., , , happened? they are being very cautious about _ happened? they are being very cautious about attributing - happened? they are being very cautious about attributing any i cautious about attributing any blame. it is clear and they are confirming it is a coordinated attack on three successful attacks on three major train lines. a fourth on three major train lines. a fourth on a sudden line appears to have been disrupted by the police overnight. that line is still working fine. a lot of french people will be wondering about russian involvement because there has been a pattern over the last few months of allegations by the french authorities that the russians have been launching disinformation campaigns and also more concrete actions to try to undermine confidence in france and insecurity ahead of the olympics.— ahead of the olympics. security of course been _ ahead of the olympics. security of course been a _ ahead of the olympics. security of course been a key _ ahead of the olympics. security of course been a key issue _ ahead of the olympics. security of course been a key issue since - ahead of the olympics. security of| course been a key issue since paris won the games, planning

meticulously, but the authorities would argue i suppose you cannot prevent this kind of sabotage on a railway network.— railway network. clearly a very wor in: railway network. clearly a very worrying incident _ railway network. clearly a very worrying incident and - railway network. clearly a very worrying incident and there . railway network. clearly a very| worrying incident and there will railway network. clearly a very - worrying incident and there will be concerns it mayjust be the start of more. the french authorities have been planning for a long time, something like 16,000 french police will be in the city for this evening's unprecedented weather opening ceremony along the river seine, 10,000 french troops as well here, more private security guards, so it is a city already in lockdown, particularly along the river banks, for some days now. this particularly along the river banks, for some days now.— particularly along the river banks, for some days now. this intact, this sabotaue, for some days now. this intact, this sabotage. it — for some days now. this intact, this sabotage. it is _ for some days now. this intact, this sabotage, it is going _ for some days now. this intact, this sabotage, it is going to _ for some days now. this intact, this sabotage, it is going to last - for some days now. this intact, this sabotage, it is going to last for- sabotage, it is going to last for several days, we understand, the authorities say it will take at least we can to try to repair damage done. , ~ . , , least we can to try to repair damage done. ,, least we can to try to repair damage done. ,..y , done. yes, clearly this is a problem. _

done. yes, clearly this is a problem, the _ done. yes, clearly this is a problem, the timing - done. yes, clearly this is a problem, the timing is - done. yes, clearly this is a - problem, the timing is terrible for the organisers, but the perspective we are getting at the station, the trains are running, there will be huge delays, but the train networks and transport, it has not been brought to a halt, but major inconvenience. brought to a halt, but ma'or inconvenienced brought to a halt, but ma'or inconvenience. , ., , ., , inconvenience. hundreds of people millin: inconvenience. hundreds of people milling around _ inconvenience. hundreds of people milling around in _ inconvenience. hundreds of people milling around in this _ inconvenience. hundreds of people milling around in this train - inconvenience. hundreds of people milling around in this train station l milling around in this train station we are looking at the interior of here, how have people reacted to this? , , .., here, how have people reacted to this? , , .. ., , here, how have people reacted to this? , , .,, ., ~ this? very, very calm. i was talking to a grouo — this? very, very calm. i was talking to a grouo of— this? very, very calm. i was talking to a grouo of young _ this? very, very calm. i was talking to a group of young men _ this? very, very calm. i was talking to a group of young men heading i this? very, very calm. i was talkingj to a group of young men heading to amsterdam for a concert this evening. they said, look, we will wait, we will see, it is out of our hands. there is a general sense in train stations when people know they have to sit on their luggage and on the floorfor many have to sit on their luggage and on the floor for many hours, but there is a feeling here the network is not entirely down, just going to be very, very slow and messy. people are waiting for the next

announcement and the next guidance from the authorities here.— from the authorities here. andrew, thank you- — from the authorities here. andrew, thank you. eurostar _ from the authorities here. andrew, thank you. eurostar out _ from the authorities here. andrew, thank you. eurostar out of - from the authorities here. andrew, thank you. eurostar out of london | from the authorities here. andrew, l thank you. eurostar out of london st pancras and into paris very much impacted. let's speak to ashitha nagesh, who is at the eurostar terminal at st pancras station in london. tell us what is happening there, what eurostar have been saying. {iii what eurostar have been saying. of course, i am at st pancras as he said, where the eurostar connects london to paris. even on a normal day, it is extremely busy. especially today. it was expected to be heaving because of people travelling for the olympics and also generally summer holidays in france. this morning eurostar have said in a status update on their website advising people if they can not to travel today and to postpone their journeys. that is because the overhead railway line damage we heard about from andrew harding in france has hit lines running along eurostar�*s normal route going down

into paris. they are having to redirect trains and they have also told us in a statementjourney times could be around an hour and a half longerfor people who could be around an hour and a half longer for people who do end up travelling today or people might face trains being cancelled. they have described it as coordinated acts of malice in france and they have said it has affected the high—speed line notjust the train going to paris but also from paris to lille and all trains going to paris have been diverted from the classic line today. they say teens are fully mobilised in stations and in call centres to try to help people hoping to travel and who are disrupted —— they say that teams. anyone who has to cancel today is able to get a full refund and they

can also modify theirjourneys able to get a full refund and they can also modify their journeys free of charge. i don't know if you have had a chance to talk to people inside, but anyone who has taken a train there, they know it is busy anyway. train there, they know it is busy an a . ., ., ., ., train there, they know it is busy an a. ., ., ., ., ., train there, they know it is busy an a. .,. ., ., anyway. not a huge area for people to cather anyway. not a huge area for people to gather in — anyway. not a huge area for people to gather in because _ anyway. not a huge area for people to gather in because they _ anyway. not a huge area for people to gather in because they rely - anyway. not a huge area for people to gather in because they rely on i to gather in because they rely on people being able to move through quite quickly and catch trains and free up space. do you know what scenes are like insight?- free up space. do you know what scenes are like insight? exactly. if ou have scenes are like insight? exactly. if you have been _ scenes are like insight? exactly. if you have been in _ scenes are like insight? exactly. if you have been in st— scenes are like insight? exactly. if you have been in st pancras, - scenes are like insight? exactly. if you have been in st pancras, youl you have been in st pancras, you know there is the long concourse and usually the queues going into the eurostar are sort of funnelled along the edge of the concourse, quite close to a row of shops, so they are kept out of the main passageway. but when the queues built up to eurostar, it can be really disruptive, notjust for people hoping to travel to france and onwards to europe but also people trying to get domestic trains in st pancras. that is the passageway people need to take to get to domestic trains. when i went in

queues was starting to build up. not too chaotic right now. still quite early in the day. but i could see a lot of people were looking agitated, looking confused. clearly hoping to travel today and worried about what they can do. travel today and worried about what they can do— travel today and worried about what they can do. thank you, updating us from st pancras. _ they can do. thank you, updating us from st pancras. to _ they can do. thank you, updating us from st pancras. to other _ they can do. thank you, updating us from st pancras. to other news... . the uk health secretary, wes streeting, says the body responsible for regulating health and social care services in england is not fit for purpose. it follows an independent review of the care quality commission, which identified significant failings. the cqc says it accepts the findings. honesty is the best policy. that's why i've moved quickly to publish the interim findings because there are ratings that people will be looking at today which i can't have confidence in, i don't think the public can have confidence in, and i've asked the coc urgently to put in place transparency around those ratings so people can see how those ratings were put together and then make

a judgment about whether it's a true and fair and accurate reflection of the quality of care. leadership is vital. we need a new permanent chief executive at the care quality commission and a new chief inspector of hospitals that we can work with to turn the regulator around, and we are going to get the best person for the job if we are honest about the challenge and also reassuring them that whether it's the board or indeed the government we will give them every bit of support they need to deliver the radical reform that that organisation requires. and we've already got some work under way too. professor sir mike richards, hugely respected in this area, is already doing a rapid review of the assessment framework that's used to judge hospitals and care providers. these are the scenes live in paris. president emmanuel macron is greeting dignitaries. he hasjust

gone inside. typical, isn't it? he wasjust outside gone inside. typical, isn't it? he was just outside greeting world leaders many of him who have travelled far to come to the opening olympics ceremony. but the disruption caused by the sabotage to the railway network will be affecting everyone. 300,000 people expected the opening ceremony. more on the coc and our health correspondent nick triggle tells us more about who they are and how they operate. more about who they are and how they 0 erate. , ., more about who they are and how they 0 erate. , . ., , operate. they are there to identify failin . s in operate. they are there to identify failings in hospital— operate. they are there to identify failings in hospital services, - operate. they are there to identify failings in hospital services, gp . failings in hospital services, gp surgeries, dentalsurgeries, failings in hospital services, gp surgeries, dental surgeries, and across the care sector and care homes. but the report today that will be published later this morning from what the government says is incredibly damning. the health secretary wes streeting has said the coc is simply not fit for purpose and he is stunned by the failures. let us look at some of the failures.

inspectors, asked to go into hospitals, having never been into a hospital before. a care home inspector who had never met a person with dementia. across the board, inconsistencies in the way they inspect and assess the services. also a big backlog of inspections. one in five of services they have responsibility for have yet to receive a rating. the care quality commission has said it accepts the findings in full. they accept the findings in full. what happens next? as you were just hearing, the health secretary is looking for a new chief executive, senior management, at the coc. the previous chief executive stepped down last month, just before this report was published obviously. there is an interim

chief executive there. sir michael richards, a former chief inspector of hospitals, already at the coc working alongside the current leadership, looking at what can be improved immediately. the cqc has been asked to report regularly to the health secretary about the steps being taken. final report with a full set of recommendations we will not get that until the autumn. i suspect that will be the thing that triggers a major overhaul of the regulator. what does this mean for the 90,000 different services supposed to be monitored by the coc? how much faith can we have in our medical practitioners, hospitals, gp surgeries? that is the big question being asked. services receive one of four ratings — outstanding, good, requires improvement, inadequate. the public use those

when they are perhaps trying to choose a care home for a member of their family, looking for a gp surgery, dentalsurgery, even perhaps deciding which hospital in the local area to go to and to go on to the waiting list for a hip replacement, for example. these are crucial pieces of information that the public does use and is very familiar with. the former us president barack obama has endorsed the vice president kamala harris in the race for the white house. in a video message, mr obama and his wife, michelle, said they would do everything to get her into the oval office. the vice president has already received support from unions, advocacy groups and prominent democrats as she prepares to take on republican candidate donald trump. here is the video where barack obama makes the endorsement.—

here is the video where barack obama makes the endorsement. hello. you are both together. _ makes the endorsement. hello. you are both together. good _ makes the endorsement. hello. you are both together. good to - makes the endorsement. hello. you are both together. good to hear you both _ are both together. good to hear you both i— are both together. good to hear you both. .. ., are both together. good to hear you both. ., ., , , ., both. i cannot have this phone call without saying _ both. i cannot have this phone call without saying to _ both. i cannot have this phone call without saying to my _ both. i cannot have this phone call without saying to my girl, - both. i cannot have this phone call without saying to my girl, i - both. i cannot have this phone call without saying to my girl, i am - without saying to my girl, i am proud of you. this is going to be historic. brute proud of you. this is going to be historic. ~ .., proud of you. this is going to be historic. ~ .. ., proud of you. this is going to be historic. ~ ., ~ . historic. we called to say michelle and i historic. we called to say michelle and i could — historic. we called to say michelle and i could not _ historic. we called to say michelle and i could not be _ historic. we called to say michelle and i could not be prouder- historic. we called to say michelle and i could not be prouder to - and i could not be prouder to endorse _ and i could not be prouder to endorse you to do everything we can to get— endorse you to do everything we can to get you _ endorse you to do everything we can to get you through the selection and into the _ to get you through the selection and into the oval office. oh, to get you through the selection and into the oval office.— into the oval office. oh, my goodness- — into the oval office. oh, my goodness. this _ into the oval office. oh, my goodness. this means - into the oval office. oh, my goodness. this means so i into the oval office. oh, my i goodness. this means so much into the oval office. oh, my - goodness. this means so much to into the oval office. oh, my _ goodness. this means so much to me. i'm goodness. this means so much to me. i'm looking _ goodness. this means so much to me. i'm looking forward _ goodness. this means so much to me. i'm looking forward to _ goodness. this means so much to me. i'm looking forward to doing _ goodness. this means so much to me. i'm looking forward to doing this- i'm looking forward to doing this with the — i'm looking forward to doing this with the two— i'm looking forward to doing this with the two of— i'm looking forward to doing this with the two of you. _ i'm looking forward to doing this with the two of you. and - i'm looking forward to doing this with the two of you. and gettingj i'm looking forward to doing this- with the two of you. and getting out there _ with the two of you. and getting out there and _ with the two of you. and getting out there and being _ with the two of you. and getting out there and being on _ with the two of you. and getting out there and being on the _ with the two of you. and getting out there and being on the road. - with the two of you. and getting out there and being on the road. most l with the two of you. and getting outi there and being on the road. most of all, i there and being on the road. most of all. i want _ there and being on the road. most of all. i want to— there and being on the road. most of all, i want to tell _ there and being on the road. most of all, i want to tell you _ there and being on the road. most of all, i want to tell you the _ there and being on the road. most of all, i want to tell you the words - all, i want to tell you the words you have — all, i want to tell you the words you have spoken— all, i want to tell you the words you have spoken and _ all, i want to tell you the words you have spoken and the - all, i want to tell you the words - you have spoken and the friendship you have spoken and the friendship you have _ you have spoken and the friendship you have given— you have spoken and the friendship you have given over— you have spoken and the friendship you have given over all— you have spoken and the friendship you have given over all these - you have spoken and the friendship you have given over all these years| you have given over all these years mean _ you have given over all these years mean more — you have given over all these years mean more than _ you have given over all these years mean more than i _ you have given over all these years mean more than i can— you have given over all these years mean more than i can express. - you have given over all these years i mean more than i can express. thank you both _ mean more than i can express. thank you both it— mean more than i can express. thank you both. it means _ mean more than i can express. thank you both. it means so _ mean more than i can express. thank you both. it means so much. - mean more than i can express. thank you both. it means so much. and - mean more than i can express. thank you both. it means so much. and wei you both. it means so much. and we are going _ you both. it means so much. and we are going to— you both. it means so much. and we are going to have _ you both. it means so much. and we are going to have some _ you both. it means so much. and we are going to have some fun. - you both. it means so much. and we are going to have some fun. let- you both. it means so much. and we are going to have some fun.- are going to have some fun. let us to are going to have some fun. let us no live to are going to have some fun. let us go live to new _ are going to have some fun. let us go live to new york _ are going to have some fun. let us go live to new york and _ are going to have some fun. let us go live to new york and speak - are going to have some fun. let us go live to new york and speak to l are going to have some fun. let us i go live to new york and speak to cbs news correspondent. good to see. this is significant because the former president did not endorse her

five days ago when president biden he would not be seeking the election, quite a lot was made of that. ~ ., , , ., that. while former president obama did not endorse _ that. while former president obama did not endorse vice _ that. while former president obama did not endorse vice president - did not endorse vice president kamala harris a couple of days ago we know a couple of members of the obama will have been involved in the early days of the campaign, former attorney general involved heavily vetting various vice presidential candidates, and there had been talk about him wanting to give space between the announcement thatjoe biden was stepping out of the race, kamala harris running instead, and allowing this not to appear as a coordination. here we are seeing the official endorsement from one of the most popular democratic presidents in quite some time. haifa most popular democratic presidents in quite some time.— most popular democratic presidents in quite some time. how important is it for her as — in quite some time. how important is it for her as she _ in quite some time. how important is it for her as she reaches _ in quite some time. how important is it for her as she reaches out - in quite some time. how important is it for her as she reaches out to - it for her as she reaches out to voters? . . it for her as she reaches out to voters? . , ., ., , voters? that is going to be the question- _ voters? that is going to be the question- i _ voters? that is going to be the question. i think— voters? that is going to be the question. i think he _ voters? that is going to be the question. i think he is - voters? that is going to be the question. i think he is a - voters? that is going to be the

question. i think he is a name| voters? that is going to be the - question. i think he is a name that is highly respected, but we have also been seen over the past couple of days this flurry of excitement and interest in grassroots efforts to galvanise various demographics important for vice president kamala harris, this could be another stamp of approval from someone who a lot of approval from someone who a lot of democrats like. share of approval from someone who a lot of democrats like.— of democrats like. are we now all 'ust of democrats like. are we now all just accepting _ of democrats like. are we now all just accepting she _ of democrats like. are we now all just accepting she is _ of democrats like. are we now all just accepting she is the - just accepting she is the presumptive democratic nominee? is it a done deal?— it a done deal? nothing is done until it is done. _ it a done deal? nothing is done until it is done. but _ it a done deal? nothing is done until it is done. but what - it a done deal? nothing is done until it is done. but what we're| until it is done. but what we're seeing is this around kamala harris as the likely nominee for the democratic party. again there is this formal process that still needs to happen with delegates and that will be happening at some point over the next couple of weeks potentially as soon as the 1st of august. when it comes to the feeling of the party, at least right now it does appear kamala harris is going to be the nominee for the democrats. again the nominee for the democrats. again the votes are not yet in, we have to

wait and see. the votes are not yet in, we have to wait and see-— wait and see. certainly the republican _ wait and see. certainly the republican presidential - wait and see. certainly the - republican presidential campaign seems to be assuming that, launching huge numbers of attack adverts against her. huge numbers of attack adverts against her-— huge numbers of attack adverts auainst her. . . . ., ., . ~ against her. yeah, launching attack adverts against _ against her. yeah, launching attack adverts against her, _ against her. yeah, launching attack adverts against her, seeing - against her. yeah, launching attack adverts against her, seeing both i against her. yeah, launching attack adverts against her, seeing both ij adverts against her, seeing bothjd vance, vice presidential pick, and the former president himself, formulating a tax on —— formulating attacks. interesting just yesterday the former president's team said it is too early to say if and when there would be a debate between vice president kamala harris and former president kamala harris and former president trump. they want the democrats to name their pick officially before they do so because they have already debated one candidate not in the race. they want to make sure whoever they go on the stage with sticks it out until november. stage with sticks it out until november-— stage with sticks it out until november. ., ., ., , november. great to have you with us, thank ou. november. great to have you with us, thank you. around _ november. great to have you with us, thank you. around the _ november. great to have you with us, thank you. around the world - november. great to have you with us, thank you. around the world and - thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the us vice president kamala harris has had what she describes as a frank and constructive meeting with the visiting israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. in it the democratic presidential hopeful expressed her serious concern about palestinian civilian casualties in israel's war with hamas. she also reiterated her unwavering commitment to the us ally�*s security but urged mr netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal. let's hear some of what kamala harris had to say after the meeting. i have met with the families of these american hostages multiple times now and i have told them each time they are not alone and i stand with them. and president biden and i are working every day to bring them home. i also expressed with the prime minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians.

and i made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there, with over 2 million people facing high levels of food insecurity and half a million people facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. what has happened in gaza over the past nine months is devastating. the images of dead children, and desperate, hungry people, fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third orfourth time. we cannot look away in the face of these tragedies, we cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and i will not be silent. let speak to our middle east journalist and analyst based in tel aviv. what is the view in israel of

benjamin netanyahu's visit to the us, speech to congress, meetings with president biden and kamala harris? if with president biden and kamala harris? . . with president biden and kamala harris? , . , , . harris? if we start with the speech in congress. _ harris? if we start with the speech in congress. he — harris? if we start with the speech in congress, he was _ harris? if we start with the speech in congress, he was of _ harris? if we start with the speech in congress, he was of course - in congress, he was of course praised by his coalition partners who said itjew he did a terrific job in pinpointing exact problems faced by the us and israel. those who disagree with benjamin netanyahu and want to see him gone, they pinpointed the fact he did not announce a ceasefire deal. he spoke in vague terms. most israelis want a deal now. every poll shows that and especially the families of the hostages. they were super frustrated with benjamin netanyahu for not seizing the opportunity to announce a deal. the opposition leader said he should not have spoken if he did not have anything specific to declare when it comes to the ceasefire deal. as for the meeting with kamala harris, three ministers have already from this government lashed out at kamala harris, they said she expressed exactly why israel should not have a deal with

hamas, the far right ministers, finance minister, national security minister, saying we now know what is about, surrendering to hamas. they said, no deal. we got leaks from within benjamin netanyahu's delegation, saying, kamala harris's statements on the necessity for an immediate ceasefire could in fact delay a deal, it could show hamas there was daylight between us and israel. , .,. there was daylight between us and israel. , .. , israel. does the fact president biden is israel. does the fact president itiden is not — israel. does the fact president biden is not seeking _ israel. does the fact president i biden is not seeking re-election biden is not seeking re—election change anything in terms of the relationship between the and israel over the next six months? obviously it has been very difficult between president by —— president biden and benjamin netanyahu. it president by -- president biden and benjamin netanyahu.— benjamin netanyahu. it does stop president biden _ benjamin netanyahu. it does stop president biden is _ benjamin netanyahu. it does stop president biden is audibly - benjamin netanyahu. it does stop president biden is audibly the - benjamin netanyahu. it does stopl president biden is audibly the most pro—israel president in the us apart from donald trump. kamala harris, you can hear she is a bit more left, more critical in her rhetoric

towards israel. right now, we're just seeing israel and especially netanyahu trying to capitalise, play on two horses, meeting with donald trump later today because i believe he hopes he will win, and with kamala harris, of course trying to show respect but also trying to cause unease among her own democratic allies by for example leaking to the israel media her comments about the ceasefire could derail the ceasefire deal. in other words, blaming herforany derail the ceasefire deal. in other words, blaming herfor any potential break—up of the negotiations. so i would say benjamin netanyahu and his government hoping for trump to win but they can deal with kamala harris because after all she is very much a democratic establishment type of lawmaker and will be a democratic president, just likejoe biden, in other words, president, just likejoe biden, in otherwords, i president, just likejoe biden, in other words, i don't think we will see big changes if she becomes the next us president in terms of the relationship with israel.— next us president in terms of the relationship with israel. thank you ve much relationship with israel. thank you very much indeed _

relationship with israel. thank you very much indeed for— relationship with israel. thank you very much indeed for your - relationship with israel. thank you | very much indeed for your analysis. the top story... travel disruption in paris ahead of the opening ceremony of the olympic games this evening, a series of fires have hit french high—speed rail lines, rail company sncf says it is a massive attack aimed at paralysing the network. france's transport minister has condemned it as a coordinated malicious act. 800,000 customers impacted by disruption which could last all weekend. stay with us on bbc news. hello. while some of us stay dry and sunny this friday, for others there have been a few downpours already, some more to come through today. and then other areas will see the showers tomorrow. but the overall trend over the next five days, things become drier, sunnier and also warmer. now, the view from space earlier in the day shows that this is cloud from yesterday but that's affecting northern france — that's crucial later. this is a clump of cloud that

will affect us through tomorrow. but in between, a lot of clear skies around to begin with. you see the shower clouds build up but in between the shower clouds some sunshine. showers most frequent through parts of scotland, northern ireland and maybe less so in northern england. but the showers in scotland could become heavy and thundery in the north—east later. away from northern england, midlands, southern england and wales, very few showers, many stay dry. and while we've got a slightly fresher feel there with the westerly breeze, it's still going to feel pleasant enough in those sunnier moments. 17—24 celsius, a little bit down for some north—western areas on where you want this stage injuly. i mentioned the cloud over france. thickens up later as we head in towards the evening. crucial of course because it's the olympics opening ceremony. never mind lady gaga or celine dion — a greater chance of some heavy rain arriving as we go through the ceremony and into the first part of the night. for us, though, actually many showers fade this evening and into the first part of the night, before returning across parts of southern scotland, northern england and later into ireland, that clump of cloud i showed you on the satellite imagery.

where you've got the clear skies, temperatures down a little bit on last night, into single figures in some rural areas. but where it's coolest, the best of the sunshine to start the morning. a bit more cloud in northern england, southern scotland, outbreaks of rain in ireland, pushing away, so northern ireland will have a drier, brighter day. western scotland will compared with today. but eastern scotland, northern england, wales and the south—west, a greater chance of some showers through tomorrow. parts of the south—east midlands, east anglia, south—east and channel islands staying dry throughout, and temperatures just up a little bit. and with high pressure then building in through the rest of the weekend and the start of next week, there will be more in the way of sunshine but we start to bring in a bit more warmth from the south. on sunday, it will feel warmer after a slightly fresh start, mist and low cloud in the west breaking up. lots of sunshine for many into the afternoon, strong sunshine at that, and temperatures more widely into the 20s, maybe 25, 26 in the south—east of england. could get 30 degrees here by tuesday. but across the uk, many will be dry into the start of next week and feeling very warm in the sunshine too. take care.

this is bbc news. we can return to our top story, huge travel disruption in paris— travel disruption in paris ahead of the olympics _ travel disruption in paris ahead of the olympics opening _ travel disruption in paris ahead of the olympics opening ceremony. | travel disruption in paris ahead of- the olympics opening ceremony. there have been sabotage attacks on the high—speed rail network. police officers have started to investigate on railway tracks as security forces now hunt for the rail sabotage culprits. a series of fires were started and hit french high—speed rail lines just hours before the opening ceremony in paris. the rail company sncf, the target, says it's a massive attack aimed at paralysing

the network and it has caused huge travel disruption. some 800,000 customers are affected and this is expected to last all weekend as they try and get the rail services back online. while it hasn't stopped lots of trains it has certainly delayed them, including eurostar, the link between the uk and paris. they have warned customers of longerjourney times and lots of cancellations. the ceo of sncf has said it was france and the french people who were attacked today. he said he is thinking of all the french people who will not be able to go on holiday because this is a huge day for france when lots of people leave paris and head to other parts of the country. he said those who will leave in worse condition, they will be impacted and it will last the whole weekend because it'll take a long time to fix. he has called it a day of sadness. he said the job of the railways is a public service to transport people when they need it.

and today we can't do it.