welcome to bbc news, i'm david eades. our top stories: president biden accuses republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on voting rights in america. there is an unfolding assault taking place in america today in an attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections. heightened unrest in south africa — 72 people have died, amidst looting, protest and confrontations following the jailing of south africa's former presidentjacob zuma. australia ranks last for climate action among un member countries — we'll find out why.

president biden has accused republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on free and fair elections by restricting voting rights. the republicans have introduced a number of changes following donald trump's claim that voter fraud cost him the 2020 election. speaking in philadelphia, the birthplace of american democracy, mr biden called those republican—led efforts un—american. to date, 17 states have brought in a variety of new measures, such as changing voting hours. but president biden pointed out, there had been no evidence of widespread fraud. 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.

an assault on democracy. an assault on liberty. an assault on who we are. who we are as americans. for, make no mistake — bullies and merchants of fear, peddlers of lies, are threatening the very foundation our country. that is the president speaking there in philadelphia. but the state at the heart of this controversy is texas. several politicians actually flew out of their state as what was a procedural effort to prevent republicans from being able to vote through the new rules. jasmine crockett, one of those politicians who fled the state on monday night, had different ideas. i am an attorney. that is my background.

i do criminal defence as well as civil rights work. so, to be clear, i've not committing a crime, so i can't be arrested and thrown in jail. i can't be detained. one reason we are out of the state is simply because you know that if there is any authority, it does not extend past the state of texas. so we won't step foot back in the state of texas so we can go ahead and kill these bills — the house bill as well as the senate bill, in an effort to, you know, give dc another opportunity. that is jasmine crockett. so what are some of the main policies in the texas voting bills? 24—hour and drive—thru voting, which were brought in for last year's presidential election in some areas, are banned. there'll be new id requirements for voting by mail — previously ballots were verified by a signature matching process. also, the authority of observers at polling stations, who work for one party or the other — so—called partisan poll watchers — is to be expanded. democrats fear they could intimidate people as they turn up to vote. our north america correspondent

david willis is in los angeles and he's put president biden's words into context for us. it was very strong language, david, perhaps his most forceful denunciation so far of these moves by republican—led states to suppress voting rights. and perhaps his most forceful denunciation of his predecessor. even though he didn't mention donald trump directly by name, he did, however, attack the so—called �*big lie�*, that's donald trump's assertion that the 2020 election was clouded by voter fraud and other irregularities and he said that was completely false. he said this was the most scrutinised election in american history. but instead of it being celebrated, it was an example, he said, of human nature at its worst, something darker and more sinister. and of course, these voting restrictions are being broadened to a variety

of republican states. now, more than a dozen of them have implemented them so far. and president biden, of course, has really kind of found it very frustrating as far as getting national voting rights legislation on the books because it's currently stalled in the senate. is there anything he could do about that? because i think some of his democrats believe he could act, he could be firmer, but he doesn't seem to want to? that's right. and there are those who say he could do this by perhaps putting influence on democratic senators to overturn the convention of the so—called filibuster, which demands all important votes get 60—40, and currently it is a 50—50 split in the upper chamber. but president biden who of course has served for many years in the senate, reluctant to weigh in on that particular debate, if you like. i think what he's looking to do, david, is to focus attention on this issue, the fact that this is happening

in quite a number of different states, that these laws are being tightened — democrats claim to the cost of minorities, and groups that would traditionally vote democrat — so that democrat voters will be more inclined to get out to the polls next year for the mid—term elections and to cast their votes. so he's looking to, i think, raise awareness of what is going on, to draw attention to it in the hope of mitigating its effect next year. nonetheless, i guess for many democrats who feel very police in south africa now say 72 people have died in the violence which has erupted since the jailing 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 ten 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. screaming and yelling. thrown by her mother to safety. cheers of relief after looting, 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 pro—jacob zuma 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 bach

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 believe this is still very much aboutjacob zuma, the jailed former president. do you think this is aboutjacob zuma? it is aboutjacob zuma. it is about the jacob zuma, because if you notice very well, this thing started on the day that jacob zuma's arrested. after he was arrested at a police station. that's when the thing started. because people didn't want jacob zuma to be arrested in the beginning. and then ramaphosa, which is the president of this country, should have done something to prevent this. in guateng, the country's economic hub, people there say livelihoods have been affected. it's sad because they are increasing unemployment and some of us are not

employed, yet depending on other people to help us reach food and everything else, so this is not ok. whatever they're doing is not ok. my sister's now, she is at home doing nothing, she was employed. so now i don't know what's gonna happen from now. i feel bad because we are using these shops, we are going to be hungry and we are not going, we're going to go far away for bread... more troops are expected to be deployed overnight to prevent the rioting from spreading to other areas. 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.

they said it was aimed towards 16—year—olds, but then didn't even use the word sexual consent. i think it was a bit embarrassing. sexual consent may not be the easiest subject for a school podcast. but at brisbane girls grammar, it's got students talking. they've been inspired by a petition demanding that children are taught more about it. i was not clear before this campaign what the term sexual harassment, sexual consent meant, and to be honest, i'm not too clear now what that means. schools have a responsibility to more explicitly teach these issues from younger ages. we need to know about them and there's no point covering| up the truth so that we have to learn about it personally. | chanel contos has become an unlikely hero among young women in australia. her social media poll asking friends if they've been raped or sexually assaulted by people they knew at school went viral. so far, more than 6,500 people have shared their stories.

to be honest, there was nothing surprising about the testimonies. i wasjust like, yup, that's what happened to my friends. itjust happened in a different state, different school, different year group. australia prides itself on having one of the best education systems in the world, but in reality, this rape culture has gone so deep, i think that it's the norm. the scale of the problem was certainly shocking, but what also came out of these stories was a lack of clear understanding about sexual consent and how schools needed to do a lot more. the fact that students don't know that people they trust can sexually assault them, they don't think that their boyfriends can sexually assault them, it's an injustice on the students to be so vulnerable that we are sexually assaulted and not even having the tools to be able to define what that is. i think all schools are reviewing our programmes, and most would agree that that is true, but we are very, very clear that these things are dealt with holistically, in the home with parents from the earliest ages. so much of this is impacted by societal attitudes. generally, government has a role, so it's not the sole

responsibility of schools, but we do play a very important part. lucinda hoffman didn't fully understand sexual consent when she was assaulted aged 16. we were in the car and we started kissing, and then he locked the doors, pushed me down and said that i have to perform oral sex and i'm not allowed out until i do. i feel let down by the education system as a whole. we weren't taught enough and the boys weren't taught enough, �*cause there are some instances where education would've100% prevented a lot of sexual assault. hey, hey! ho, ho! sexual violence got to go! the demand for more education is 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 the issue alive, even when it's no

longer in the headlines. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, brisbane. promoting sexual consent education is also a major issue in the united states. joining me from maryland is christine soyong harley, president of the sexuality information and education council of the united states. some pretty forthright views of australian schoolgirls there. the country though, coming from probably a very low base, really. it is the state of play in the us? in really. it is the state of play in the us?— really. it is the state of play in the us? ,, ., , in the us? in the united states there is no _ in the us? in the united states there is no national— in the us? in the united states there is no national mandate . there is no national mandate around sex education so it can vary i state, by school district and even by school in terms of what programme is offered for students around this country.— offered for students around this country. how variable is that? that _ this country. how variable is that? that means _ this country. how variable is that? that means there - this country. how variable is that? that means there are| this country. how variable is l that? that means there are 35 states that _ that? that means there are 35 states that require _ that? that means there are 35 states that require schools - that? that means there are 35

states that require schools to l states that require schools to talk about abstinence only until marriage. there are only 29 states and the district of columbia that mandate comprehensive sets education thatis comprehensive sets education that is medically accurate and developmentally appropriate, and only nine of those states require sets education and lessons on consent.- require sets education and lessons on consent. you have a wide range _ lessons on consent. you have a wide range of— lessons on consent. you have a wide range of variability - lessons on consent. you have a wide range of variability there l wide range of variability there across the state. do you have the same in terms of the views of young people, young girls in particular, as to whether or not they should be provided with greater sexual consent education?— with greater sexual consent education? , ~ ., ., education? yes. what we have seen in surveys _ education? yes. what we have seen in surveys that _ education? yes. what we have seen in surveys that have - education? yes. what we havej seen in surveys that have been conducted nationally is that sex education is widely supported. it is supported by parents across the political spectrum who want their middle school kids, their high school kids, to be taught and to receive such... receive sex education. young people in particular have been leading the charge and i think really expanding our understanding...

crosstalk. what is holding it back, then? we crosstalk. what is holding it back. then?— back, then? we in the united states continue _ back, then? we in the united states continue to _ back, then? we in the united states continue to focus - back, then? we in the united states continue to focus on . states continue to focus on teen pregnancy prevention and sexual purity through this abstinence only messaging which sounds like it really mirrors a lot of the lessons that the women in australia are calling for changes around. in the united states, we are also still pushing for a responsibility of men that happened a couple of years ago and part of that is about recognising that sex education can be more expensive and in teaching these kinds of healthy relationship, violence prevention, skill building around this and how to navigate refusal for both boys and girls. refusal for both boys and lids, , ., , refusal for both boys and lirls. , ., i. ., girls. usually challenging issues. thank _ girls. usually challenging issues. thank you - girls. usually challenging issues. thank you very i girls. usually challenging . issues. thank you very much

indeed. and thank you for being with us here on bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: giving an old barbie a new lease of life at the italian doll�*s hospital. that's the circular economy. after months of talks and missed deadlines, a deal has been struck to keep greece within the eurozone. the immediate prospect of greece going bust in the worst crisis to hit the eurozone 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 crisisj has brought to them. leaders meet in paris for a summit on pollution, inflation and third world debt. this morning, theyjoined 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 a huge shoal of their favourite food, pilchards. some had eaten so much, they could barely stand. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: and president biden has accused republican—controlled states of mounting a dangerous attack on voting rights following donald trump's defeat in the 2020 election. more than 70 people are now known to have died in south africa in violent unrest and looting sparked by the jailing of former presidentjacob zuma. when it comes to countries taking action to counter climate change, australia has been ranked last out of nearly 200 countries.

the findings come in a un report which assesses a country's efforts to meet all the so—called �*sustainable development goals', which are designed to lift more people out of poverty. �*climate action' is the key indicator for issues of global warming. the data shows australia obtained just 10 points out of 100, for action taken to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. australia's rankings are driven by poor performance on all three indicators under this �*un climate goal�*. they include: domestic co2 emissions per capita, consumption—based co2 emissions per capita generated through imports of goods and services, and also co2 emissions embodied in fossilfuel exports per capita. across the piece, the survey found that australia has shown "limited commitment" to the sustainable development goals. well, professorjohn thwaites

is the global chair of the sustainable development solutions network, which produces that report. he joins us live now from melbourne, australia. thank you very much indeed, john, forjoining us. i wonder why australia's situation is quite so lamentable, as some would see it?— quite so lamentable, as some would see it? largely because australia relies _ would see it? largely because australia relies so _ would see it? largely because australia relies so hugely - would see it? largely because australia relies so hugely on l australia relies so hugely on fossil fuels for its energy system and its economy. we have a energy system based very much on cold and gas, and we haven't sufficiently transferred that into a system based on clean, renewable energy.— into a system based on clean, renewable energy. anybody who knows australia _ renewable energy. anybody who knows australia will _ renewable energy. anybody who knows australia will know - renewable energy. anybody who knows australia will know the i knows australia will know the sunshine is a lot there, given the nature of climate change, it has been extremely hot. but that does mean there is potential there, for solar in particular?—

particular? there is huge potential— particular? there is huge potential in _ particular? there is huge potential in australia - particular? there is huge potential in australia for| potential in australia for renewable energy, and notjust solar, wind as well. in fact, australia is one of the best countries in the world for renewable energy, which gives credible opportunity for australia, not only to power its electricity through renewable energy, but also to use that renewable energy to power industry and transport. unfortunately, we have not been using that great resource we have got nearly as much as we should. ~ , , ., . ., should. why is that? what causes that _ should. why is that? what causes that paralysis, - should. why is that? what causes that paralysis, as l should. why is that? what - causes that paralysis, as some would see it? it causes that paralysis, as some would see it?— would see it? it is a range of factors, would see it? it is a range of factors. but _ would see it? it is a range of factors, but there _ would see it? it is a range of factors, but there are - factors, but there are certainly vested interests in the fossil fuel industry which have made it more difficult for government to implement the changes that are necessary. in fact, a decade ago, australia started down the track of implementing a carbon price and shifting to a clean energy future. but that was under the

previous labour government, there was a change of government and the current government and the current government reversed that carbon price and really... we stop the action that was needed then which would put us in a better position now.— position now. this is a bit of a gloom _ position now. this is a bit of a gloom and _ position now. this is a bit of a gloom and doom - position now. this is a bit ofl a gloom and doom interview, position now. this is a bit of - a gloom and doom interview, so far. looking at individual states, i think queensland is a good example building a huge battery plant. the states can do their own things? 0ver battery plant. the states can do their own things? over in a better position?— do their own things? over in a better position? they are. the interesting _ better position? they are. the interesting thing _ better position? they are. the interesting thing in _ better position? they are. the interesting thing in australia l interesting thing in australia is that every state has now committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. that includes states that are run by the coalition and conservative party is. we are seeing states get on with the job of transferring their economies into clean, green economies but not seeing enough action at the federal level. —— conservative parties. we need the federal

government to step up to the plate for broad change as well. it is never quick enough, but presumably, nevertoo it is never quick enough, but presumably, never too late. there are some green shoots. within our electricity system we have gone from 8—9% to 25% renewable. where we are not seeing significant changes in the industry and in our transport system. that is the real challenge, to switch to that clean, renewable energy to power industry and transport. john, thank you very much indeed. john thwaites. the toy industry is one of the most polluting in the world — in fact, most of them are made from plastic, which is difficult to recycle. now, a small idea in italy to give old dolls a new lease of life has become a huge success. it's down to the vision and creativity of one woman, who wanted to spread some happiness during the pandemic.

we all have toys that we can't bring ourselves to throwaway. during lockdown, rebecca had an idea. she posted an ad on facebook asking people to send her their old dolls. it facebook asking people to send her their old dolls.— her their old dolls. it was amazing- _ her their old dolls. it was amazing. unexpected, i her their old dolls. it was - amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned _ amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned her— amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned her home _ amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned her home into - amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned her home into a - amazing. unexpected, actually. she turned her home into a doll hospital. she turned her home into a doll hosital. ., ., ., , hospital. you have so many dolls. hospital. you have so many dolis- how _ hospital. you have so many dolls. how many _ hospital. you have so many dolls. how many do - hospital. you have so many dolls. how many do you - hospital. you have so many i dolls. how many do you have? almost 200, — dolls. how many do you have? almost 200, at _ dolls. how many do you have? almost 200, at the _ dolls. how many do you have? almost 200, at the moment. i dolls. how many do you have? l almost 200, at the moment. of almost 200, at the moment. (git these almost 200, at the moment. these dolls almost 200, at the moment. of these dolls are in really bad condition. but when they get here, they go through an incredible makeover. so, from this, they become this. basically, as good as new. people send her their old dolls in the mail. people send her their old dolls in the mail-— people send her their old dolls in the mail.- she - people send her their old dolls in the mail.- she washesj in the mail. hello. she washes them and _ in the mail. hello. she washes them and then _ in the mail. hello. she washes them and then she _ in the mail. hello. she washes them and then she transforms| them and then she transforms them. sometimes she attaches new hair, one strand at a time. it's a really meticulous

process. she sews most of the clothes herself using old materials. i clothes herself using old materials.— clothes herself using old materials. , , ., materials. i did this starting with myself. _ materials. i did this starting with myself, watching - materials. i did this starting l with myself, watching videos, reading blogs. because of lockdown, i had the time to rediscover again what i really like. ,, , , ., rediscover again what i really like, ,, , , ., , rediscover again what i really like. ,, , , ., like. she puts a new twist on them, this — like. she puts a new twist on them, this freddie _ like. she puts a new twist on them, this freddie mercury, | like. she puts a new twist on . them, this freddie mercury, the 80s rock star, and the ken doll with piercings and tattoos. what she does is great for the environment. the toy industry is one of the most polluting in the world, about 90% of toys are made of plastic and they are made of plastic and they are very difficult to recycle. rebecca isn't making money. hello!

why do you donate them? why not resell them? _ why do you donate them? why not resell them? because, _ why do you donate them? why not resell them? because, for - why do you donate them? why not resell them? because, for the - resell them ? because, for the pandemic, resell them? because, for the pandemic, orthe resell them? because, for the pandemic, or the situation, resell them? because, for the pandemic, orthe situation, i think it's not the right time to ask for something. it's the time to give something when people need it.— time to give something when people need it. rebecca's idea has been so — people need it. rebecca's idea has been so successful- people need it. rebecca's idea has been so successful that i has been so successful that people are now sending her dolls from all over italy. so, she has decided to start a workshop where she teaches autistic people what she does. for me, autism is a very important thing. my mother and my little brother, they are autistic. this kind of activity is very good for autistic people, because it is nice to keep them busy with something positive and creative, and in a good structure for them. rebecca hopes to inspire others across italy to recycle and rediscover things they may have forgotten. sofia bettiza, bbc

news, milan. that is all around just an amazing story. best of luck going forward. thanks for being with us here on bbc news. bye—bye. 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. now, currently, this area of high pressure is sitting to the south—west 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 2a or 25 degrees. a bit breezy for north—western 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 2a 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 north—western 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 dismissed mr biden's remarks as dishonest. as it said republicans were trying to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. the deployment of hundreds of troops in south africa has failed to prevent a fifth day of violent unrest and looting. at least 72 people have been killed and about 800 have been arrested since protests erupted in response to the jailing of the former president, jacob zuma. australia has been ranked last for climate action out of nearly 200 countries in a recent report assessing

progress towards global sustainable development goals. australia received a score ofjust ten out of 100 in an assessment of fossil fuel emissions. now on bbc news, panorama and bbc correspondent and long covid sufferer lucy adams speaks to others with the condition. it's 11 weeks since i started with a fever and some of the symptoms of coronavirus. i'm lucy adams, a bbc correspondent. i've got a really hoarse sore throat and a headache. i got covid last year but never got better. i've been ill for eight... breaks down. i've been ill for eight months now. and i'm getting really fed up on it. like a million others in the uk, i have long covid.