this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden accuses republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on voting rights following donald trump's defeat in the 2020 election. there's an unfolding assault taking place in america today, an attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections. the former boss of nissan describes how he escaped from house arrest injapan hidden a box like this — loaded onto a private plane. the 30 minutes waiting in the box in the plane, waiting for the plane to take off, were probably the longest period of wait i've ever experienced in my life _

covid restrictions will be eased in scotland from next week, but more cautiously than england. facemasks will remain mandatory. a question of consent — why sexual consent education is being made mandatory in parts of australia. hello and welcome. president biden has accused republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on free and fair elections by restricting voting rights. it follows donald trump's claim that voter fraud cost him the 2020 election. speaking in philadelphia, the birthplace of american democracy, mr biden called efforts by republican states to restrict voting un—american. in 17 republican—led states, there've been efforts to pass laws

which supporters say will make voting more secure, by reducing the chances of voter fraud. but president biden pointed out, there's been no evidence of widespread fraud. hear me clearly. there is an unfolding assault taking place in america today, an attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair suppress and subvert the right to vote infairand suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections. an assault on democracy. an assault on liberty. an assault on who we are, who we are as americans. but make no mistake — bullies and merchants of fear, paddlers are of lies, or threatening the very foundation of our country. it gives me no pleasure to say this. i never taught my entire career i'd have to say it.

but i swore an oath to you, to god, to preserve, protect and defend the constitution. that's an oath that forms the sacred trust to defend america against all clerks, both foreign and domestic. democratic politicians in texas have left their state en masse in an effort to prevent republicans from passing a law to tighten voting rules. the governor of texas has threatened to arrest them. jasmine crockett is one of those lawmakers who fled the state on monday night. lam iaman i am an attorney, and that is my background. i do criminal defence as well as_ background. i do criminal defence as well as criminal rights work. to be clear. _ well as criminal rights work. to be clear. i_ well as criminal rights work. to be clear, i committed a crime, so i can't _ clear, i committed a crime, so i can't be — clear, i committed a crime, so i can't be arrested and thrown in jail _ can't be arrested and thrown in jail one — can't be arrested and thrown in jail. one reason we're out of the state _ jail. one reason we're out of the state is — jail. one reason we're out of the state is similar because we know if there's_ state is similar because we know if there's any— state is similar because we know if there's any authority, it does not extend _ there's any authority, it does not extend past the state of texas. so, we won't _ extend past the state of texas. so, we won't step foot back in the state

so that _ we won't step foot back in the state so that we — we won't step foot back in the state so that we can go ahead and kill these _ so that we can go ahead and kill these bills, the house bill as well as the _ these bills, the house bill as well as the senate bill, in an effort to -ive as the senate bill, in an effort to give dc_ as the senate bill, in an effort to give dc another opportunity, and an effort _ give dc another opportunity, and an effort to— give dc another opportunity, and an effort to speak with persons like senator — effort to speak with persons like senator cinema, who we couldn't speak— senator cinema, who we couldn't speak to — senator cinema, who we couldn't speak to last time. we're basically begging _ speak to last time. we're basically begging at this point. while i absolutely want to act, if we can do anything. _ absolutely want to act, if we can do anything, we will be in a better position — anything, we will be in a better position. texas is the hardest state to vote _ position. texas is the hardest state to vote in _ position. texas is the hardest state to vote in as— position. texas is the hardest state to vote in as it is, though if we could — to vote in as it is, though if we could get— to vote in as it is, though if we could get any type of help and oversight, i think that would actually— oversight, i think that would actually put us in a position where we can— actually put us in a position where we can go— actually put us in a position where we can go ahead, allow them to pass whatever— we can go ahead, allow them to pass whatever terrible bill they want, but we _ whatever terrible bill they want, but we know that we would have the federal _ but we know that we would have the federal legislation to back us up. let's talk to davis willis —— david willis in washington. the president is coming out on this. why is he making this speech?— is coming out on this. why is he making this speech? he's making it

in philadelphia. _ making this speech? he's making it in philadelphia, the _ making this speech? he's making it in philadelphia, the simple - making this speech? he's making it in philadelphia, the simple reason i in philadelphia, the simple reason that that is the traditional birthplace of the nation. it's where the us constitution and the declaration of independence were both signed, so it significantly, symbolic place for him to make a speech of this kind. a very passionate speech as to why he's making it now, there are a couple of reasons. a number of republican led states are passing legislation that will restrict voting rights, and texasis will restrict voting rights, and texas is the most recent two attempt to do so. because president biden is coming under growing pressure from civil rights leaders and others to do more to promote, somehow find a way of getting an passage through congress which would override these moves to make it more difficult for people to vote. hence his impassioned rhetoric today. he said it was a moral reckoning as far as the united states was concerned.

what's happening with this legislation in congress? well, it has installed _ legislation in congress? well, it has installed in _ legislation in congress? well, it has installed in the _ legislation in congress? well, it has installed in the senate. - legislation in congress? well, it i has installed in the senate. there have been calls — i mentioned to civil rights leaders and others — for the president to perhaps push for the president to perhaps push for a removal in this case of so—called filibuster in the senate, which is a convention that requires 16 votes majority. it's 50—50 democrats and republicans at the moment, so this legislation is installed and really has nowhere to go unless the filibuster is lifted. that's a highly controversial move. president biden spent decades in the senate himself. he is reluctant to tinker with his long established rules. what i think he's doing, really, is to widen the debate, to press home, to democrats who will be called upon to go to the polls next

yearfor called upon to go to the polls next year for the called upon to go to the polls next yearfor the midterm elections, how important developments are at the moment, how important it is they stand up against them.— moment, how important it is they stand up against them. david, thank ou for stand up against them. david, thank you for that — it was an extraordinary escape. carlos ghosn, the former boss of the carmaking giant nissan, has been describing how he fled house arrest injapan by hiding in a box that was then loaded on to a private jet. he'd been arrested in tokyo in 2018 and charged with financial misconduct offences. he denies the charges and says he believes he is being treated as collateral damage. he is now in exile in lebanon, from where he has been speaking exclusively to our business editor, simon jack. i could not show my face, so i has to be hidden somewhere. and the only way i could be hidden is to be in a box, or be in a luggage. so, nobody could see me, nobody could recognise

me and obviously, the plan could work. beforejoining the box, i needed not to be detected because i departed from an airport outside tokyo. so, we used a train and taxis, so i had to wear things that i never usually wear. you know, the plane was scheduled to pick up at 11pm that night. we were ready and i was in the box in the rear of the plane probably around 10:30 p:m.. the 30 minutes waiting in the box in the plane, waiting for the plane to take off, were probably the longest period of weight i've ever experienced in my life. and for our viewers on bbc world news, you can hear more of that interview in world business report in less than half an hour. let's get some of the day's other news. the un world food programme says it needs to sharply increase

the quantity of food aid it's started delivering to ethiopia's tigray region, where months of fighting has led to widespread hunger. a spokesperson said a hundred trucks a day would be needed to reverse what he described as catastrophic conditions. hundreds of thousands of people are facing famine. the remains of one of napoleon's favourite generals have been returned to france, two years after they were discovered in western russia. charles—etienne gudin's skeleton was found buried in a park. his identity was confirmed by dna. he was hit by a cannonball near the city of smolensk during the french invasion of russia in 1812. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has confirmed that covid restrictions will be eased from monday, but face coverings will remain mandatory for some time to come. in what is a more cautious approach than england's, scotland will relax social distancing to one metre inside public spaces and ease but not lift the restrictions on the number of people allowed to meet in homes. ms sturgeon said it was to protect

the vulnerable in society. it comes as the uk has recorded its highest daily death toll since early april. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. all of scotland will move to level zero on monday, the lowest tier of its covid controls. up to ten people from four households will be allowed to meet indoors and in pubs and restaurants, and up to 15 outdoors. unlike in england, face coverings will still be compulsory and nightclubs will stay closed. the first minister said sensible precautions were still needed. in the race between the vaccine and the virus, we believe the vaccine will win, but we can't allow the virus to run too far ahead. but we must stick to a cautious approach. we are easing restrictions next week but we are not abandoning them. covid cases have been rising fast in recent weeks across the uk, and there's huge uncertainty about how big this third wave will be.

the number of covid patients being admitted to hospital has doubled in the past ten days to more than 500 a day, but if we look at december, to the point when daily cases were the same as they are now, then there were more than 2,000 admissions a day, four times the rate now. the difference is down to the protection from vaccines. they could be as much as 98% effective at preventing serious illness with the delta variant. but if it's just a bit less, let's say 94% effective, that would lead to three times the number of infected vaccinated people ending up in hospital. a small change could make a big difference. in england, the big unknown is how behaviour will change from next week when legal controls on social distancing and mask—wearing are dropped. if there is a quick return

to pre—pandemic behaviour with a lot more contacts and less caution, modellers predict there could be 2,000 hospital admissions per day although in the worst—case scenario, it could be nearer 4,000. but if there's a more cautious return, spaced over several months, there will be far fewer admissions and less impact on the nhs. once legal restrictions are lifted, we don't know how each individual will act, but if each of them acts cautiously, wears masks, works from home where possible, that may result in a massive reduction in the size of the epidemic wave. amit is extremely clinically vulnerable and has been shielding for 15 months after suffering kidney failure. his wife goes out to work, and he's worried she might get infected when restrictions are lifted in england. the fear factor is that _ when she uses public transport,

people might not have to wear masks, and that's not really— going to protect her. she's wearing a mask thinking it will protect herself and me. - personal responsibility or legal controls — a clear difference of approach between the governments in england and scotland in how best to manage covid. both are urging public caution as the third wave grows. fergus walsh, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: we report from south africa, where the violence is getting worse in the unrest following the jailing of former presidentjacob zuma. after months of talks and missed deadlines, a deal has been struck to keep greece within the euro zone. the immediate prospect of greece going bust in the worst crisis to hit the euro zone has been averted. emergency services across central europe are stepping up their efforts

to contain the worst floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. broadway is traditionally called the great white way by americans, but tonight, it's completely blacked out. it's a timely reminder to all americans of the problems that the energy crisis has brought to them. leaders meet in paris- fora summit on pollution, inflation and third world debt. this morning, theyjoinedl the revolution celebrations for a show of military might on the champs—elysees. . wildlife officials in australia have been coping with a penguin problem. fairy penguins have been staggering ashore and collapsing after gorging themselves on their favourite food, pilchards. some had eaten so much, they could barely stand. this is bbc news with clive myrie. the latest headlines:

president biden has accused republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on voting rights following donald trump's defeat in the 2020 election. covid restrictions will be eased in scotland from next week, but more cautiously than england. police in south africa now say 72 people have died in the violence which has erupted since the jailing of former president jacob zuma last week. that includes 10 people killed in a stampede during looting on monday night at a shopping centre in soweto, the country's biggest township. the military has now been deployed to help the overstretched police. nomsa maseko reports. thrown by her mother to safety. cheers of relief after looting, fires and rampage because these fires and rampage caused these people to flee their homes. rioters targeted on the ground floor here, then set the building on fire,

affecting apartments on the upper floors. this man returning again and again to help people escape. what initially started as a protest has now become almost like a free—for—all. the looting spree began five days ago and it has continued unabated. the military has been deployed on the ground but even they cannot control the situation. nearly 800 people have been arrested and the leaders of the provinces affected by rioting have said 19 people have died while the death toll stands at 26. despite the visible criminality and violence here some and violence here, some believe this is still very much aboutjacob zuma, the jailed former president. do you think this is aboutjacob zuma? it is about the jacob zuma

because if you notice very well, this started on the day after it was people didn't want jacob zuma in the beginning. the president of this country should have done something to prevent this. in guateng, the country's economic hub, people say livelihoods have been affected. it's sad because they are increasing unemployment and some of us are not employed for that yet depending with food and everything else, so this is not okay. whatever they're doing is not okay. my sister's at home doing nothing, she was unemployed. i don't know what's gonna happen from now. i feel bad because we are using the shops, i we are going to be hungry and we lare not going, we're going to goi far away and they... more troops are expected to be deployed overnight to prevent the rioting from spreading to other areas.

a diplomatic row has broken out between the greek government and the eu over the country s treatment of migrants trying to reach europe from turkey. human rights groups claim that thousands of people seeking asylum in europe have been blocked by greek boats and pushed back to turkey. but athens has rejected claims by a senior eu official that the country is breaching european fundamental rights saying the claims are unfounded. fergal keane's report from the island of lesbos contains some strong language. 0n europe's southern frontier, the guardians of the law are accused of breaking it. please! pushing asylum seekers across an international border, time and again. in some cases, shots fired in the air, and into the water. all to intimidate. we've been investigating the stories of some of those who allege they've been victims of pushbacks.

0njune the 10th last, migrants terms part of their encounter with greek coastguards. using the footage, we verified the date and location of the incident. translation: they asked us why we didn't get - a visa before entering. we explained that we fled the country, there was no way to get a visa when you flee like that. with the war at home, the multiple problems, our exit is illegal. they insulted us. they made the sign of the cross. they told us to go screw ourselves and if we came back, they'd kill us. some do manage to land in greece. but that doesn't end the danger of being pushed back. we have heard evidence of people who've gotten ashore and been discovered by the greek authorities, only to be taken back out to sea and pushed in the direction of turkey, without any due process. translation: then they put

us on the bus and took- us to a military port, then put us in boats. it was around 8pm. there were police wearing dark blue and commandos covering their faces with masks. i could only see the eyes. they were armed with weapons. then we arrived as a location at around quarter past midnight. they put us all in one boat. after that, we realised we were in regional turkish waters. najma says they were then transferred to dinghies with no engines and allowed to drift before being eventually picked up by the turkish coast guard. since these scenes six years ago, sentiment has hardened against migrants in europe. and the eu is accused of turning a blind eye to abuses because greece is keeping migrants out. some boats from the eu's own border agency are even accused of helping with pushbacks. but now a top eu official has told the bbc pushbacks defy its core

values and must stop. i think these are violations _ of our fundamental european values. and when we are protecting our borders, we are - protecting our values. and that's why we can't see - violations of fundamental rights go on without having - a proper response to that. but this evening, athens hit back. allegations are clearly unfounded, rely on footage or testimony provided from the country of departure. numerous cases have been investigated, including by the european union, and reports have found no evidence of any breach of eu fundamental rights. that denial will be challenged, if the eu is serious about ending abuses on its borders. fergal keane, bbc news, lesbos.

sexual consent education is being made mandatory in some parts of australia after thousands of young women shared stories of being sexually assaulted by boys they knew at school. for some, the testimonies were shocking, but for many the scale of the problems came as no surprise. shaimaa khalil spent the day with a group of students at a school in brisbane — and a warning — shaimaa's report contains sensitive content with sexual references. it was aimed towards 16—year—old, but didn't even use the world six sexual consent.— but didn't even use the world six sexual consent. sexual consent may not be the easiest _ sexual consent. sexual consent may not be the easiest subject _ sexual consent. sexual consent may not be the easiest subject for - sexual consent. sexual consent may not be the easiest subject for a - not be the easiest subject for a school podcast. but here, it's got students talking. they've been inspired by petition demanding that children are taught more about it. i children are taught more about it. i was not clear what the term sexual harassment meant, and to be honest, i'm not to clear what that means now. ., ., , i'm not to clear what that means now, , ., i'm not to clear what that means now. , ., ., i'm not to clear what that means now. ., ., ,, , now. schools have a responsibility

to more explicitly _ now. schools have a responsibility to more explicitly teach _ now. schools have a responsibility to more explicitly teach these - to more explicitly teach these issues — to more explicitly teach these issues in _ to more explicitly teach these issues in. , ., to more explicitly teach these issues im— to more explicitly teach these issues in. , ., ., ., issues in. there is no reason to throw up _ issues in. there is no reason to throw up the — issues in. there is no reason to throw up the troop _ issues in. there is no reason to throw up the troop -- - issues in. there is no reason to throw up the troop -- cover- issues in. there is no reason to| throw up the troop -- cover up. issues in. there is no reason to - throw up the troop -- cover up. this airl has throw up the troop -- cover up. this girl has become _ throw up the troop —— cover up. girl has become an unlikely hero among young women. her poll asked friends if they have been raped or sexually assaulted by people they knew at school went viral. so far, more than six and a half thousand people have shared their stories. i wasjust like, yup, that's what happened. australia prides itself on having one of the best education sections, but this rape culture has gone so deep. the sections, but this rape culture has gone so deep-— gone so deep. the scale of the roblem gone so deep. the scale of the problem was — gone so deep. the scale of the problem was certainly - gone so deep. the scale of the| problem was certainly skulking, gone so deep. the scale of the - problem was certainly skulking, but what also came out of the stories was a lack of clear understanding about sexual consent. and how schools need to do a lot more. the fact that schools need to do a lot more. i'ie: fact that student schools need to do a lot more. ti;e: fact that student don't schools need to do a lot more. ti9: fact that student don't know the people they trust can sexually assault them, they don't think their boyfriends can, it's an adjustment on students to be so vulnerable ——

and injustice. i on students to be so vulnerable -- and injustice-— and in'ustice. i think all schools are and injustice. i think all schools are reviewing _ and injustice. i think all schools are reviewing our— and injustice. i think all schools are reviewing our programmesl and injustice. i think all schools i are reviewing our programmes and most _ are reviewing our programmes and most would agree that's true, but we are very— most would agree that's true, but we are very clear that these things are dealt _ are very clear that these things are dealt with — are very clear that these things are dealt with. at home from the earliest — dealt with. at home from the earliest ages of. so much of this is impacted _ earliest ages of. so much of this is impacted by societal attitudes. our government has a role, so it's not the sole _ government has a role, so it's not the sole responsibility of schools, but we _ the sole responsibility of schools, but we do — the sole responsibility of schools, but we do play a very important part _ but we do play a very important art, . ., but we do play a very important art. : :, :,' :, but we do play a very important art. : :, :, �* but we do play a very important art, . ., :, ' ., �* , part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully understand _ part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully understand sexual _ part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully understand sexual consent - part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully understand sexual consent when | part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully . understand sexual consent when she was assaulted aged 16. we understand sexual consent when she was assaulted aged 16.— was assaulted aged 16. we were in the car and — was assaulted aged 16. we were in the car and we _ was assaulted aged 16. we were in the car and we started _ was assaulted aged 16. we were in the car and we started kissing, - was assaulted aged 16. we were in| the car and we started kissing, and then he _ the car and we started kissing, and then he locked _ the car and we started kissing, and then he locked the _ the car and we started kissing, and then he locked the doors, - the car and we started kissing, and then he locked the doors, push - the car and we started kissing, and then he locked the doors, push me down _ then he locked the doors, push me down and _ then he locked the doors, push me down and said _ then he locked the doors, push me down and said that _ then he locked the doors, push me down and said that i _ then he locked the doors, push me down and said that i have - then he locked the doors, push me down and said that i have to - then he locked the doors, push me i down and said that i have to perform oral sex— down and said that i have to perform oral sex and — down and said that i have to perform oral sex and wasn't _ down and said that i have to perform oral sex and wasn't allowed - down and said that i have to perform oral sex and wasn't allowed out - oral sex and wasn't allowed out until— oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i_ oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did _ oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did i_ oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did. i feel— oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did. i feel let— oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did. i feel let down- oral sex and wasn't allowed out until i did. i feel let down as i oral sex and wasn't allowed outi until i did. i feel let down as the -- iav— until i did. i feel let down as the -- hvthe — until i did. i feel let down as the —— by the education _ until i did. i feel let down as the —— by the education system. - until i did. i feel let down as the —— by the education system. no| until i did. i feel let down as the - —— by the education system. no one was told _ —— by the education system. no one was told enough _ —— by the education system. no one was told enough because _ —— by the education system. no one was told enough because there - —— by the education system. no one was told enough because there are. was told enough because there are some _

was told enough because there are some would _ was told enough because there are some would have _ was told enough because there are some would have 100%- was told enough because there are i some would have 100% prevented sexual— some would have 100% prevented sexual assault — some would have 100% prevented sexual assault. the— some would have 10096 prevented sexual assault.— sexual assault. the demand for more education as — sexual assault. the demand for more education as part _ sexual assault. the demand for more education as part of _ sexual assault. the demand for more education as part of a _ sexual assault. the demand for more education as part of a bigger- education as part of a bigger movement. tens of thousands of women rallied across australia protesting against abuse and harassment earlier this year. there are no quick solutions, but many agree schools are a solid place to start, and students here are determined to keep theissue students here are determined to keep the issue alive, even when it's no longer in the headlines. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, brisbane. large cruise ships will be banned from sailing into the centre of venice from the first of august. the decision by italy's cabinet comes just days before a meeting of the un's cultural organisation unesco, which had proposed to add venice to its list of endangered heritage sites. environmentalists have been warning for years that the cruise ships risk causing irreparable damage to the lagoon city.

much more coming up. stay with us. we've got a look at the papers with our guests, but that's it from now. hello there. summer weather is increasingly set to take hold over the next few days. it is looking largely dry. we'll see increasing amounts of sunshine and increasing temperatures as well, and it is all because of high pressure. currently, this area of high pressure is sitting to the southwest of us, but it is going to build towards the uk over the next few days, hence the increasing amounts of sunshine and those higher temperatures as well. but actually, through wednesday, many spots will see a decent amount of sunshine. we will have quite a lot of cloud through the morning across some eastern parts of scotland and eastern england, tending to retreat towards the coast through the day, and also, more cloud into northern ireland and western scotland. and actually, as that cloud thickens up through the afternoon, it could even produce the odd spot of drizzle. but elsewhere, some good spells of sunshine.

temperatures in the sunniest spots up to 26 or 25 degrees. a bit breezy for northwestern areas and also for some eastern coasts. now, as we head through wednesday night into thursday, we will see more cloud rolling down across northern ireland and scotland, getting into northern england and wales by the end of the night. clear spells further south, a pretty mild night — 11—15 degrees in most places. into thursday, we are going to see more in the way of cloud pushing southwards down into england and wales. there'll be some spells of sunshine and certainly, some brighter conditions developing for northern ireland and for scotland, and in the best of the sunshine, temperatures again getting up to around 26 or 25 degrees. and for friday, many spots can expect to see plenty of blue sky and sunshine. a bit more cloud at this stage across northwestern parts of scotland, northern ireland, but certainly more cloud across the northern isles. the sunnier skies further south lifting those temperatures up to 25—26, maybe at this stage, up to 27 degrees. and that sets us up for the weekend because our area of high pressure

is going to become firmly established across the uk, bringing lots of dry weather, lots of sunshine. you can see frontal systems close to the far north perhaps giving a bit more cloud at times, but with our high pressure in place, we can expect some pretty warm weather through both saturday and sunday. so, let's look at some city forecasts. you can see across shetland, it'll stay cloudy and a bit cooler, 15 or 16 degrees. but most other places, fine, dry, some spells of sunshine and temperatures easily up to 27, maybe 28 degrees.

this is bbc news, the headlines.

president biden has accused republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on free and fair elections by restricting voting rights. the republican national committee said they were trying to make it easier to vote. scotland's first minister has confirmed that covid restrictions will be eased from monday, but face coverings will remain mandatory for some time to come. nicola sturgeon said it was to protect the vulnerable in society. greece is accused of intercepting migrants in the mediterranean — pushing them back and abandoning them in turkish waters. a eu official has told the bbc that the illegal deportation — which greece denies — must stop. at least 45 people have died in south africa — as violence sparked by the jailing ofjacob zuma continues. the army has been deployed, but a bbc correspondent in durban says looters are operating freely.