a police officer pleads guilty to murdering sarah everard after abducting herfrom a street in south london. her disappearance sparked a national outcry over women's safety. metropolitan police officer wayne couzens pleaded guilty to her kidnap, rape, and murder. the head of the force said everyone in policing felt betrayed. all of us in the met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man's crimes. they are dreadful. we'll be looking at the lengths couzens went to in trying to cover up his crimes — and questions tonight for the police. also on the programme. coronavirus infections

across the uk back at levels not seen since february — as more and more people are forced to self isolate. how afghans are preparing for life after uk and us troops leave, as the taliban make more gains. and enjoy these moments of history, says england's captain — as the team prepares for sunday's euro 2020 final against italy. and coming up in sport, a seventh wimbledon finalfun novak and coming up in sport, a seventh wimbledon final fun novak djokovic. he beat denis shapovalov for a chance to level the all—time grand slam record. good evening. the killing of sarah everard in south london in march shocked the nation and led to widespread demonstrations about women's safety on the streets. today a metropolitan police officer pleaded guilty to her kidnap, rape and murder.

pc wayne couzens abducted the 33—year—old as she walked home from a friend's house at around 9 o'clock at night. sarah everard's family were in court as he admitted murder. it's still not clear what motivated his attack on a complete stranger. the metropolitan police commissioner dame cressida dick said that everyone in the force was sickened, angered, and devastated at couzens�* crime. our special correspondent lucy manning reports. what happened to sarah everard is what many woman often fear — the fear of walking home alone. sarah was just walking home, and that night the life that she hadn't fully lived ended. the man responsible, wayne couzens, in the custody of his own force — a policeman, also a kidnapper, rapist and murderer. abusing his police promise to uphold the law, he broke it in the most brutal way. after couzens pleaded guilty today, we can now report more about what happened to the marketing

executive originally from york. three days before she disappeared, wayne couzens reserved a vauxhall astra hire car in kent. he also bought a roll of strong self—adhesive film. this is the last picture of sarah, buying wine, heading to a friend's house. just after 9:30 on poynders road, a busy main road in clapham, a bus camera shows that vauxhall astra on the pavement. two people, presumed to be sarah and couzens, are standing there. the hire car then heads out of london to kent. couzens faced allegations of indecent exposure in london three days before kidnapping sarah and, it was revealed today, similar allegations in 2015 in kent — possible police failures now being investigated. this is where sarah was last seen. when couzens was arrested, he lied and lied. he claimed he owed money to an eastern european gang

for underpaying a prostitute and they threatened his family and ordered him to deliver them another girl. he admitted kidnapping sarah but said he had handed her over, alive and unharmed, to the gang when they stopped his car on the way out of london. the truth was that couzens raped and murdered the 33—year—old, hiding her body deep in the kent countryside so it took a week to find her remains. as met police officers searched, the murderer was in their ranks. two days after he'd kidnapped her, couzens had bought two builder's bags at b&q. her body was found in one. the metropolitan police commissioner looked shaken. in court, she'd satjust feet from the everard family. i was able to speak to them earlier today and say again how very sorry i am for their loss

and fortheir pain and their suffering. all of us in the met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man's crimes. they are dreadful, and everyone in policing feels betrayed. shame on you, shame on you, shame on you...! questions for the force how couzens could have been cleared to carry a gun when he would go on to kill. and the police watchdog is now investigating what met officers did when he exposed himself twice just days before the murder, and what kent officers did about similar allegations six years ago — could he have been stopped? the murder of one woman resonated with thousands of others — demands that the streets must be safe, violence against women must stop, harassment and abuse

must be taken more seriously. the everard family had one wish — that sarah would come home safely. but a policeman took her future away. the met police has faced many difficult times and much criticism, but perhaps today is one of their darkest moments. their own police officer pleading guilty to murdering such a high —— to murder in such a high profile investigation. but how could he what did those officers do about the allegations against him for indecent exposure both in 2015 and recently? the met has faced weeks and months of difficult criticism on the vigil, the policing of the vigil after sarah everard's

death, and allegations of institutional corruption after the daniel morgan investigation, and now they have couzens�*s crimes, and it paints a difficult picture for the leader of the metropolitan police. and we were told today by the police regulator, they are investigating 12 officers for possible misconduct, notjust officers for possible misconduct, not just met officers for possible misconduct, notjust met police officers but 12 officers for possible misconduct in relation to the investigation. the wider question is does policing and violence against women need to change? will it change? will the streets be safer for women? lucy manning, thank you. coronavirus infections in the uk have risen to their highest level for five months. the office for national statistics says about one in 160 people had the virus last week, that's a 50 % increase on the week before. the surge in infections has led

to a large number of people being told to isolate by the nhs covid tracing app used in england and wales. tonight the bbc has learned that the app is to be modified so that it sends out fewer alerts. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. have you been pinged lately? 26 million people have downloaded the nhs covid app, though it's unclear how many have it switched on. the app uses bluetooth to detect the distance between phones, and if someone tests positive, will ping those who have been in close proximity, within two metres for 15 minutes, and advise them to self—isolate. tonight a source at the app team told the bbc they had been told to adjust its sensitivity so that it sends out fewer alerts. as our restrictions change, of course the app needs to change in line. things like the relaxing of the one metre plus rule, for example, on the 19th ofjuly, might well lead to a review

of the way the app itself needs to function. but labour says the sensitivity of the app shouldn't be weakened. this feels like taking the batteries out of the smoke detector, and that is never a good idea. that is an important protection. i am equally worried by the stories of people deleting the app altogether. as covid cases have risen, so have the number of app alerts. 360,000 people received one in the last week ofjune. this climbing centre in surrey had to close after nearly all its staff were pinged. i don't even know what's going to happen for the future, but obviously there is an immediate impact on the basis that we're losing income, again. and it's going to hurt. the latest survey from the office for national statistics suggests that around 400,000 people in the uk had covid last week, up nearly 60% on the previous week. in england, it's estimated that one in 160 people were infected.

in scotland, one in 100 had covid. in wales, it was one in 340, and in northern ireland, one in 300. new analysis of covid infection data has confirmed children are at extremely low risk from coronavirus. there were 25 deaths among 12 million under—18s in england. half of those had complex neuro disabilities. there were no deaths in children who had asthma as a single diagnosis, no deaths in children who had cystic fibrosis, no deaths in children who had trisomy 21 or down syndrome, and no deaths in children and young people who had type one diabetes. this research, suggesting a two in a million chance of dying among children, may persuade some scientists against recommending covid jabs for 12—17—year—olds, a decision that's due very shortly. fergus walsh, bbc news.

meanwhile, passengers returning to the uk have been warned that they could face longer queues at ports and airports as travel restrictions are eased. 0ur transport correspondent caroline davies is here. travel is opening up, but it won't necessarily be easy? it is travel is opening up, but it won't necessarily be easy?— necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different _ necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different sum _ necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different sum of— necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different sum of this _ necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different sum of this year. - necessarily be easy? it is a bit of a different sum of this year. this j a different sum of this year. this is an important step for the travel industry and they are already ramping up their operations, but more passengers could potentially mean longer queues at the border. we know from immigration officials that it can take three times longer to process people because of the paperwork, and we did see queues of “p paperwork, and we did see queues of up to six hours earlier this year when there were far fewer passengers. things have got a lot faster since then and the government has said that the processes being automated, they will be more border force officials but they have also warned that there is likely to be some disruption as well, particularly at check—in. there are limitations on the policy, still

test that i needed, and it is still only open to people who have been jabbed in the uk and also people who are fully vaccinated, which excludes are fully vaccinated, which excludes a lot of young people. this policy is also only being opted by england and northern ireland a week later, we don't know about scotland and wales yet. but crucially, this is just about travel coming into the uk. the uk's cases are rising, and how well other countries feel about having a spare? still plenty of uncertainty the sum of. caroline, many thanrs- — the latest official figures show that in the past 2a hours — 29 deaths were reported — and 35,707 new infections were recorded across the uk — the highest figure since the end of january. it means on average 29,435 new cases were reported per day in the past week. more than 96,000 people received a first dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period. almost 45.7 million people have had theirfirstjab —

86.8% of uk adults. more than 175,000 people have had their second dose, meaning more than 34 million people are fully vaccinated — that's 65.3% of adults. this the england captain, harry kane, says his team must enjoy these moments of history as they prepare to take on italy in the euro 2020 final on sunday. to take on italy in the euro it's the first time in 55 years that england's men will line up in a majorfinal. harry kane says england know they have a tough game ahead — but they believe they can win. he's been speaking to our sports editor dan roan. he is proud, prolific and passionate. harry kane is just one win away from doing what no other england captain has achieved for more than half a century. today explaining how it felt to be

within touching distance of glory. to be playing and leading the boys out on our first european final is going to be extra special. the excitement is there, i'm sure there will be a few nerves, but you have to take these moments, enjoy these moments of history and hopefully we can go one step further and win the whole thing. it's the biggest game in my career so far. doing something special with england will probably always surpass anything at club leveljust because of the magnitude, the long wait for a final, the long wait to win a trophy. 1966 world cup winning captain bobby moore remains the only man to lead england to such silverware. now kane could emulate him. how does it feel to be compared with an icon like that? whenever your name is mentioned in that company, it gives you motivation, it gives you confidence. it would be an incredible achievement, these are the opportunities you have to grab with both hands.

we are all winners. we want to win. we will have _ we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to _ we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to do _ we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to do what _ we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to do what we - we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to do what we can - we are all winners. we want to win. we will have to do what we can to l we are all winners. we want to win. | we will have to do what we can to do that on sunday. but one of football's most successful national teams stand in the way. four times world cup winners, italy have been a formidable force at the euros. it is a real 50/50 game. italy have a better history than us of winning tournaments, but i think a lot of us at club level have experience of playing in the biggest games across europe. we believe we can win the game but we also know it will be tough. out of sorts at the start of the tournament, harry kane has now scored four goals, and spearheaded a team that has thrilled the nation. how special is it to you to know that this team is helping people through a tough time? it is amazing, and sometimes as footballers we don't take all that in. we see ourselves as doing a job. i think we have shown

we are normal lads. we wear the badge with pride, and everyone should be proud of the way they have represented themselves, obviously their friends and their family across the country. very best of luck. thank you. harry kane. harry kane speaking to our sports editor dan roan there. well, with italy unbeaten after 33 matches — expectations are sky—high there, too, with fans desperately hoping their team can bring home their second euros trophy. 0ur correspondent, mark lowen, reports from rome. it's notjust england impatient for football glory. italy's last european title came 53 years ago. but there's no national trauma here, since world cup victory followed in 1982. playing in both triumphs was goalkeeper dino zoff. how did he feel at that crowning moment? in heaven, he says. in the scramble for silverware, italy is hungry, and, he says, ready.

translation: they don't - need my advice, but in any final you need to stay calm and positive, to believe you can do it. it takes me back to 1968. when you lift the trophy, you feel like a god. you're on cloud nine, and i think italy can do it again. they're a very strong team. and they know it. they've been transformed by roberto mancini since the shame of failing to qualify for the last world cup, giving the team youth and confidence. all ages here arejust all ages here are just enjoying the ride. football runs to the veins of italians. italy's success has already inspired generations. yes, england is yearning for the game to come home but with passion and dedication they will face a tough fight. italy is at football fever pitch. they've waited 53 years for

european glory, now perhaps it is two days away. mark lowen, bbc news, rome. social care workers in england are being paid around £7,000 less than workers with equivalent skills in the public sector, according to a charity. community integrated care has called the pay gap "immoral" and calls on the prime minister to meet his promise to fix the social care crisis once and for all. the government says it has provided more than £2 billion for the sector, including infection control and ppe. 0ur social affairs correspondent alison holt reports. # oh, i believe in yesterday... joyful times that make all the difference for residents and staff at landermeads care home in nottinghamshire. covid has made the last year tough, but for lucy, these are the moments that underline why she loves working with people who have dementia.

i think i make a big difference every day and everybody that works here makes such a big difference every day. and like all care staff, she has huge responsibilities. i'm notjust in thisjob making tea and wiping bums, like, there's so much more that goes to it. for instance, if someone starts choking halfway through mealtime and you've got the nurse upstairs sorting out tablets, you're the only person there that can save them. she's 25, a team leader, and is paid £10.30 an hour. many colleagues are on the minimum wage. some days, i've had an awful day, i've got home, i've only made £10.30 an hour, when i could have been at lidl stacking shelves for £12.50 an hour and think about, "is it really worth it?" and today's report shows the pay gap between care staff and otherjobs with equivalent demands. it found care workers in england were paid an average ofjust

under £17,700 a year, compared with the £24,600 average pay in the uk for similar roles, like senior teaching assistants and police community support officers. nhs health care assistants are generally paid more. amy works for the charity that commissioned today's report. most of the people she supports, like tony, are funded by local authorities. she's 22 and gets £8.88 an hour. you work long hours, you don't feel appreciated, and then you're underpaid. it's not going to attract people to the sector, if the sector isn't appealing. it just needs to change. her boss says council fees simply don't cover the real costs of care. if we suddenly announced today that we were going to put salaries up across 6000 people, the charity wouldn't be here in a year or two's time, because we would be making substantial losses. we would have to sell off or shut down other parts of the charity, and when you've got a growing national demand, that's the absolute

opposite direction that you should be going on. the government says extra money has been put into the care system and that it will publish plans for reform later this year. alison holt, bbc news. the people of afghanistan are watching anxiously as the taliban appear to be making gains, while british and american troops withdraw following 20 years of conflict. it's thought taliban fighters have captured a key strategic border crossing into neighbouring iran, and russia says the taliban also now control the majority of the border with tajikistan. the taliban's advance has seen many fleeing to major cities such as kabul to seek security and work. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet has been talking to people there about their fears for the future. the city springs to life. kabul�*s oldest market, one of its busiest.

painters, masons, plasterers, they all come here to find a day's work. it's always been tough, but much tougher now. translation: the . foreigners are leaving. we are worried about the war. it's everywhere. people are fleeing into the cities but there is no work here. we are under so much pressure. this fridge. and they sold all their crockery? yes. a street of second—hand goods. nusrat set up shop here when his job ended with the us military. lots of afghans were working with them, now they are jobless. a lot of them are planning to go out of afghanistan because of their security and because of a lack ofjobs. the americans said it's time to go, it's 20 years, that's enough.

for what purpose did they come? for what purpose are they going? what is the conclusion? if they didn't gain something, they didn't build something for us, they didn't make the security for us, why are they coming? tea and treats in the city centre. sweet moments for afghans who can afford them. the kind of life many young afghans here, men and women, want to live. growing insecurity already threatens it. we are hurrying just coming - to the restaurant, coming to a cafe, meeting our friends, just go home. - the taliban say this is a western lifestyle. maybe they say we are acting - like europeans or american people. but i think it's not true. we have the right| to choose our life. a lot is being knocked out of afghan lives. at this popular bowling alley, we hear notjust worry about the taliban. the government is failing them too,

even in promoting sports like this. munir ahmad assafi is a national champion. translation: fewer people are coming here now. - before we used to gather about 40 people, we would divide into teams and hold competitions, but that doesn't happen anymore. the changes over the past 20 years in afghanistan have brought new measures of freedom to many living in kabul. it's a life they want to hold onto and now feel they are losing. the departure of international forces is turning in to the loss of so much more. for now, the walls keep rising to protect the most powerful, most privileged. the government under pressure to protect its own people. as the taliban make rapid gains beyond kabul, you feel the rising uncertainty on every street. lyse doucet, bbc news, kabul. british cyclist mark cavendish has

equalled the record for the most stage wins in the tour de france. today's sprint finish took his tally to 34 — level with belgium's eddie merks — who's held the record since 1975. cavendish — who won his first tour stage 13 years ago — is now aiming to break the record before this year's race concludes in paris in nine days' time. as if the euros final weren't enough, italy has its first player in a wimbledon singles final. matteo berrettini will meet the number one seed novak djokovic in the men's final on sunday. joe wilson has more. check the titles, yes, five on the board. now, 0k, another semifinal. check the titles, yes, five on the board. for now. 0k, another semifinal. challenging novak djokovic was denis shapovalov, 22, seeded ten, and full of talent. anyone for denis? well, they like an underdog here. the canadian had so many opportunities. djokovic was rarely dominating, oftenjust hanging on, but the important points were his. novak djokovic in the right place at the right time.

this one settled the second set. ball ruled in, denis shapovalov said he'd heard the first call out and reacted accordingly. how can you call that on set point? are you joking? in truth, much of the frustration may have been aimed at himself. when djokovic prevailed he released instinctive emotion. and so did his opponent. well, many more summers to come for denis shapovalov. wimbledon travels to some 200 global territories on tv, but how many singles champions have come from italy? love, as they say around here. the man dashing across the bottom of your screen is matteo berrettini. he beat hubert hurkacz in four sets. and that serve will be djokovic's to deal with on sunday. italians and finals, matteo, don't go to wembley. to be decided on saturday,

the women's title, barty and pliskova, two first time finalists, two sets is all it takes. joe wilson, bbc news, wimbledon. that's it. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. have a very good night. in parts of wales, the midlands, northern england. the odd shower but the sunny spells possible in northern ireland as well. hello. thunderstorms which have been affecting parts of eastern england today will slowly fade as we get on into tonight. we're still left with a few showers around as the night goes on, but they're less intense. a lot of cloud, could be a little misty in places, too, and some outbreaks of rain becoming a bit more widespread across southwest england and south wales in what'll be quite a mild and muggy night to come. into tomorrow, and we'll start the day with a lot of cloud around. there'll be ome sunny spells gradually breaking through, away from southern england where the first part of the day is wet, the rain pushing the south east england and parts of east anglia, then very slowing clearing away to the afternoon — a cooler—feeling day here. elsewhere, it'll feel very pleasant

where you get to see some sunshine, but you can see the showers and thunderstorms breaking out again. light winds will be slow—moving and the potential thundery downpours in parts of wales, the midlands, northern england. this time, more to the west of the penines, scattered about in scotland, the odd shower with the sunny spells possible in northern ireland, as well. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

the tele— band have told talks and mark —— the taliban. since troops began withdrawing from afghanistan. following the assassination of the haitian president earlier this week. lee said a group of mercenaries were in involved in his killing. emergency services except the number of dead to rise as many workers are still missing. united nations security council has voted to extend a cross—border aid operation into syria from turkey after a last—minute compromise was reached between raja and the united states —— between russia.