this is bbc news, the headlines tokyo's olympic organisers say friday opening ceremony will go ahead without any major changes — despite the sacking of the show�*s creative director. kentaro kobayashi was dismissed over past comments he made about the holocaust. china has ordered an urgent review into flood safety after twelve people died trapped in a flooded subway tunnel. more than 20 others have died and hundreds of thousands evacuated after devastating flooding in hunaan province. china has rejected plans for the who. to make a second visit to the country to investigate the origins of covid—19. washington has said its deeply disappointed by china's response. here, key parts of the food industry will be allowed to do daily covid testing instead of asking staff to self—isolate. the uk government said testing would be implemented at key sites, such as supermarket depots and food manufacturers.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are broadcasters penny smith and david davies. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the i leads on the news this evening that many workers in the food supply industry will be able to subsitute isolation for daily testing — the so called �*pingdemic�* is causing staff shortages up and down the country. that story also the lead for the times, which highlights the move represents a retreat by the government after borisjohnson said that only a "very small" number of people wouldbe allowed to use testing to avoid quarantine. "ping in the army" — the headline for the metro — which leads on calls by a conservative mp to get military

help in order to keep supermarket shelves stocked and petrol pumps full. the mail leads on calls from business leaders to extend the end of isolation to staff in a wider set of industries, including hospitality, manufacturing and transport. the telegraph leads on an oxford university study which suggests testing schoolchildren on a daily basis and keeping them in the classroom is just as effective as forcing them to quarantine at home. the nh5' 3% pay rise is the lead for the guardian — the paper notes the health service is being forced to pick up some of the bill for the cost of its own staff's pay increase. the ft picks up on the outcome of an official review which has found that the disgraced financier lex greensillenjoyed an "extraordinarily privileged" relationship with the government despite his ideas on supply chain finance providing no obvious benefit. lots of benefit to be derived from this paper we hope. david, do you

want to start? times, food supply staff freed from covid quarantine. well in the interest of family harmony and of course surveying this programme i today was at my local petrol station and also at two major supermarkets. i have to say, for the first time for a long time and i found the petrol station without any unleaded petrol. and ifound these supermarkets particularly short of things like vegetables. and fruits and that sort of thing. so this is a real problem, there's absolutely no doubt of that. some of the pictures will have seen in today's papers before they get to tomorrow of empty shelves will of confirm that. there doesn't seem yet to be the rush to the shots and the clearing of

shelves of toilet rolls and that sort of thing. but that must be the big dread of this government. and today it's news about the food supply staff getting help, that's terrific. but one does worry about the bureaucracy that appears to be involved. ., , ., . involved. david raised a point which is how do we _ involved. david raised a point which is how do we avoid _ involved. david raised a point which is how do we avoid a _ involved. david raised a point which is how do we avoid a repeat - involved. david raised a point which is how do we avoid a repeat of - involved. david raised a point which is how do we avoid a repeat of the i is how do we avoid a repeat of the scenes we saw in the spring of last year? when stories like this started people overreacting, panic buying. do you think we got beyond that stage, do you think that people are a lot calmer now in the crisis? i’m a lot calmer now in the crisis? i'm not sure about _ a lot calmer now in the crisis? i'm not sure about that at all. as soon is i heard — not sure about that at all. as soon is i heard david saying the fact that there was no petrol at the petrol— that there was no petrol at the petrol station i immediately thought, "have i filled up, maybe i ought _ thought, "have i filled up, maybe i ought to _ thought, "have i filled up, maybe i ought to. "was it's human reaction and i_ ought to. "was it's human reaction and i see _ ought to. "was it's human reaction and i see in— ought to. "was it's human reaction and i see in the paperand it does mention— and i see in the paperand it does mention in— and i see in the paperand it does mention in the times that supermarket said please don't panic

bye. supermarket said please don't panic bye~ his _ supermarket said please don't panic bye. his students were told not to pin by— bye. his students were told not to pin by we — bye. his students were told not to pin by we immediately think, isjust the human— pin by we immediately think, isjust the human condition to hear don't panic— the human condition to hear don't panic by— the human condition to hear don't panic by two immediately think what do i need. _ panic by two immediately think what do i need, what is can be in short simply, _ do i need, what is can be in short simply, i— do i need, what is can be in short supply, i need to rush out now and by loads_ supply, i need to rush out now and by loads of— supply, i need to rush out now and by loads of it because it will be only— by loads of it because it will be only there. the problem is and i know coming onto the male injust only there. the problem is and i know coming onto the male in just a moment _ know coming onto the male in just a moment. 0k, know coming onto the male in just a moment. ok, i'll move on to them. youye _ moment. ok, i'll move on to them. youye got— moment. ok, i'll move on to them. youye got all— moment. ok, i'll move on to them. you've got all these people saying all these _ you've got all these people saying all these companies and businesses employing millions of people, these aren'i_ employing millions of people, these aren't the _ employing millions of people, these aren't the 10,000 people that are being _ aren't the 10,000 people that are being described in the times you are going _ being described in the times you are going to _ being described in the times you are going to be — being described in the times you are going to be allowed to just take, take tests rather than self—isolate. these _ take tests rather than self—isolate. these are — take tests rather than self—isolate. these are millions of people who are employed _ these are millions of people who are employed there in hospitality and retail— employed there in hospitality and retail and — employed there in hospitality and retail and food and manufacturing and transport. and they're saying, bring _ and transport. and they're saying, bring it— and transport. and they're saying, bring it forward from august the ith _ bring it forward from august the ith i— bring it forward from august the 16th. i have yet to see, i read a

variety— 16th. i have yet to see, i read a variety of— 16th. i have yet to see, i read a variety of newspapers and even some that other— variety of newspapers and even some that other people would query whether— that other people would query whether it's even a newspaper. i have _ whether it's even a newspaper. i have yet — whether it's even a newspaper. i have yet to — whether it's even a newspaper. i have yet to see where the august 16 date has _ have yet to see where the august 16 date has come from. and there's a professor— date has come from. and there's a professor i— date has come from. and there's a professor i think it's in the terms, a professor— professor i think it's in the terms, a professor that says "from current avaitabte _ a professor that says "from current available evidence the current climate — available evidence the current climate to self—isolate after being hanged _ climate to self—isolate after being hanged has little if any value in controlling the epidemic". especially if a person is properly vaccinated. i see no value in waiting _ vaccinated. i see no value in waiting another four weeks. i'm vaccinated. i see no value in waiting anotherfourweeks. i'm not a professor— waiting anotherfourweeks. i'm not a professor but can ijust put a check— a professor but can ijust put a check on — a professor but can ijust put a check on this item? a professor but can i 'ust put a check on this item?_ a professor but can i 'ust put a check on this item? gave become a demand an — check on this item? gave become a demand an end _ check on this item? gave become a demand an end to _ check on this item? gave become a demand an end to tipping _ check on this item? gave become a demand an end to tipping peril. - check on this item? gave become a demand an end to tipping peril. wej demand an end to tipping peril. we heard from the boss of iceland which are very frustrated says he is taking matters into his own hands by hiring extra staff for big companies and smaller companies. not really realistic. we know companies have

been struggling to get staff since the pandemic began or at least since they reopen. on the other hand, this app isjust doing they reopen. on the other hand, this app is just doing what it was supposed to do, is it a? it is app isjust doing what it was supposed to do, is it a? it is doing what it was _ supposed to do, is it a? it is doing what it was supposed _ supposed to do, is it a? it is doing what it was supposed to _ supposed to do, is it a? it is doing what it was supposed to do. - supposed to do, is it a? it is doing what it was supposed to do. but . supposed to do, is it a? it is doing i what it was supposed to do. but the question is, i always remember it right at the start of all this, penny will remember this, we are following the size, we are following the science and my immediate reaction to that was, whose science, which science? is like where following the economist. which economist, who answers from the economist? that's the issue with this all the time. and my worry is that the public are now getting, the public who have overwhelmingly followed the advice, followed by the government has asked, the government if you ought to believe anything dominic cummings ever says, there was real concern right at the start

of all this that there wouldn't be consent from the british public some of the restrictions that were introduced. and there was consent overwhelmingly. and people followed the so—called rules. but now you do worry that it's wearing a bit then. here's another rule that people might start to become less keen to follow. and this is on the basis of some of that size. on the front of the telegraph about children and the process we have over the last couple of months that these bubbles in the kids, and somebody in the bubble test positive they all have to self—isolate, go home, but outside the classroom for a few days. it’s the classroom for a few days. it's ounu the classroom for a few days. it�*s young people and it's those who were educated, education is not a rehearsal. as somebody once said. and that is a problem. those children who have suffered so much in the past 18 months to two years

when priority has been given to us older folk. when priority has been given to us olderfolk. now it's when priority has been given to us older folk. now it's coming to a head. we are going to have another rumpus i promise you in the next month about exam results in entries to universities and our standards up down and what algorithm was used to get this result or that result in teachers assessments and the rest of it. it's a real, real struggle. teachers assessments and the rest of it. it's a real, realstruggle. on top of this then a million children we are told have been out of school in the last couple of weeks of the summer term. and the damage to those children. when is not being assessed?— children. when is not being assessed?- yes, - children. when is not being assessed?- yes, i i children. when is not being i assessed?- yes, i can't children. when is not being - assessed?- yes, i can't help assessed? penny? yes, i can't help but echo what _ assessed? penny? yes, i can't help but echo what david _ assessed? penny? yes, i can't help but echo what david saying. - assessed? penny? yes, i can't help but echo what david saying. that'sl but echo what david saying. that's the point — but echo what david saying. that's the point. it's been so incredibly disruptive — the point. it's been so incredibly disruptive to children. and particularly when you look at the facts _

particularly when you look at the facts and — particularly when you look at the facts and figures, 98 foot .4% children— facts and figures, 98 foot .4% children sent home did not get covid~ — children sent home did not get covid~ the _ children sent home did not get covid. the schools where they did found _ covid. the schools where they did found that — covid. the schools where they did found that they had fewer cases because — found that they had fewer cases because people, because it didn't feel quite — because people, because it didn't feel quite so appalling, the consequences were quite so severe. they were _ consequences were quite so severe. they were actually more open about their contacts and all the rest of it. their contacts and all the rest of it and — their contacts and all the rest of it. and you're right, it is incredibly difficult. and now we are looking _ incredibly difficult. and now we are looking at — incredibly difficult. and now we are looking at these rate rises in the independent. these rate rises in those _ independent. these rate rises in those aged 20 — 29. ones who are perhaps— those aged 20 — 29. ones who are perhaps less likely to have had the double _ perhaps less likely to have had the double vaccine or had any vaccine at all. double vaccine or had any vaccine at att~ weekly— double vaccine or had any vaccine at all. weekly admissions to hospital are at— all. weekly admissions to hospital are at the — all. weekly admissions to hospital are at the highest since march. again, — are at the highest since march. again, surely this was to be expected. they are the ones who are vaccinated. _ expected. they are the ones who are vaccinated, not double vaccinated and yet _

vaccinated, not double vaccinated and yet were all out. and now it is suggested — and yet were all out. and now it is suggested that next month we could see mass— suggested that next month we could see mass clearing back in, as an enforced — see mass clearing back in, as an enforced mass clearing. we can see social— enforced mass clearing. we can see social distancing backend, working from home back in and that could be from home back in and that could be from next _ from home back in and that could be from next monday. itjust beggars belief _ from next monday. itjust beggars belief. surely these things were to belief. surely these things were to be expected. but belief. surely these things were to be expected-_ belief. surely these things were to be exected. �* ., ., ., be expected. but hang on a minute, penn . be expected. but hang on a minute, penny- before _ be expected. but hang on a minute, penny. before you _ be expected. but hang on a minute, penny. before you and _ be expected. but hang on a minute, penny. before you and i do - be expected. but hang on a minute, penny. before you and i do our- penny. before you and i do our double act as ms. and i miss her gloom doom. and there was one think that great britain recorded nearly 10,000 fewer coronavirus cases yesterday compared to wednesday of last week. now that may be a blip. figures and all that stuff.— figures and all that stuff. yeah. you're trying- — figures and all that stuff. yeah. you're trying. maybe _ figures and all that stuff. yeah.

you're trying. maybe we - figures and all that stuff. yeah. you're trying. maybe we should | figures and all that stuff. yeah. i you're trying. maybe we should do figures and all that stuff. yeah. - you're trying. maybe we should do mr pangloss and mrs gloom. perhaps that would work. the pangloss and mrs gloom. perhaps that would work. , , pangloss and mrs gloom. perhaps that would work._ you're - pangloss and mrs gloom. perhaps that would work._ you're such i would work. the best... you're such a literally pay _ would work. the best... you're such a literally pay you — would work. the best... you're such a literally pay you to. _ would work. the best... you're such a literally pay you to. do _ would work. the best... you're such a literally pay you to. do you want . a literally pay you to. do you want to pick up an extra? the front of the times, david mentioned algorithms only slightly tongue—in—cheek. ai breakthrough promises medical revolution. now maybe this is playing glossy, i don't know. {3h maybe this is playing glossy, i don't know-— maybe this is playing glossy, i don't know. ., , , . don't know. oh no, this is excellent news. i don't know. oh no, this is excellent news- i love — don't know. oh no, this is excellent news- i love a _ don't know. oh no, this is excellent news. i love a muffin, _ don't know. oh no, this is excellent news. i love a muffin, i— don't know. oh no, this is excellent news. i love a muffin, i don't- news. i love a muffin, i don't generally— news. i love a muffin, i don't generally understand the science and everything but this is incredible. and this — everything but this is incredible. and this is — everything but this is incredible. and this is in the ai breakthrough that it's _ and this is in the ai breakthrough that it's all — and this is in the ai breakthrough that it's all about the building, the protein building blocks of life correct _ the protein building blocks of life correct me if i'm wrong. well, it won't _ correct me if i'm wrong. well, it won't be — correct me if i'm wrong. well, it won't be me. anyway, the long and short— won't be me. anyway, the long and short of— won't be me. anyway, the long and short of it _ won't be me. anyway, the long and short of it is — won't be me. anyway, the long and short of it is that this could mean we could — short of it is that this could mean we could develop new drugs,

treatments for diseases, we could help with — treatments for diseases, we could help with enzymes that scoffed plastic — help with enzymes that scoffed plastic. my goodness we need that a lot. plastic. my goodness we need that a lot they— plastic. my goodness we need that a lot. they are saying it's about understanding basic biology. i am quite _ understanding basic biology. i am quite excited about this because every— quite excited about this because every time i look at something like this and _ every time i look at something like this and i— every time i look at something like this and i think, this looks like a really— this and i think, this looks like a really positive step. then you get somebody like the southampton university, they are saying they got in early— university, they are saying they got in early access to what they are calling — in early access to what they are calling the _ in early access to what they are calling the library of this mind to help their— calling the library of this mind to help their work on enzymes to digest plastic _ help their work on enzymes to digest plastic. they are saying that they reckon _ plastic. they are saying that they reckon they've jumped a year ahead. here's _ reckon they've jumped a year ahead. here's a _ reckon they've jumped a year ahead. here's a nice — reckon they've jumped a year ahead. here's a nice little fact in figure because — here's a nice little fact in figure because we like bandy and those around, — because we like bandy and those around, 98.5% of the human proteins have now— around, 98.5% of the human proteins have now been described by this thing _ have now been described by this thing. before it was 17%. that sounds — thing. before it was 17%. that sounds great, doesn't it? | thing. before it was 17%. that sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penn is sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penny is a _ sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penny is a bit — sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penny is a bit bit _ sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penny is a bit bit of _ sounds great, doesn't it? ithink penny is a bit bit of a bother, i penny is a bit bit of a bother, really. i think she's being over modest with us. i look at the story with absolute horror. i regret to

say that my knowledge of ai and indeed life sciences is not the greatest. but my grandchild aged 12 may well, this is terribly important, i'm told. petty is described it rather well. also i think the reference in the storage or redesigning crops to withstand something called climate change. i wrote donald trump says it doesn't exist but some of us might think at the moment it does. and that is very good news. the moment it does. and that is very aood news. , ., the moment it does. and that is very good news-— good news. given that you like a buffet, just _ good news. given that you like a buffet. just a — good news. given that you like a buffet, just a bit _ good news. given that you like a buffet, just a bit of _ good news. given that you like a buffet, just a bit of bed - good news. given that you like a buffet, just a bit of bed time - buffet, just a bit of bed time listening for you. half past midnight tonight the vac servers on radio four a serialisation narrated by actors in the book by sarah gilbert and colleagues about developing the coronavirus vaccine.

it's a real useful in english explanation on how this is all working. you'll love it. because for you at home if you're up that late. let's move on. david, you would've love this is a former correspondent, allow mps bigger pay rises for public—sector workers as the expenses watchdog. this is to stop them through expenses. i expenses watchdog. this is to stop them through expenses.— them through expenses. i read the sto of them through expenses. i read the story of the — them through expenses. i read the story of the front _ them through expenses. i read the story of the front of _ them through expenses. i read the story of the front of the _ them through expenses. i read the story of the front of the telegraph l story of the front of the telegraph and i thought, are you being serious? allowing mps bigger pay rises and public sector workers from next year after what we've been through in the past 18 months. my very simple message, just political advice dare i give it, would be for goodness sakes, kibosh or something like this as quickly as possible. i can tell you from being around in the days ofjohn major and even margaret thatcher and blair and

brown and the rest of them, there are no votes in increasing mps pay ever. and it's a wretched subject. yes there is now some element of independent advice and a large measure of independent advice but you know, the politics do matter. i know they say you pay peanuts you get monkeys. it's not peanuts but it's not comparable with a lot of professions. it's not comparable with a lot of professions-— professions. well, it it because that is around _ professions. well, it it because that is around £2000 _ professions. well, it it because that is around £2000 a - professions. well, it it because that is around £2000 a year. . professions. well, it it because l that is around £2000 a year. did professions. well, it it because i that is around £2000 a year. did i read _ that is around £2000 a year. did i read this— that is around £2000 a year. did i read this wrong? i read this quite carefully— read this wrong? i read this quite carefully and it did say that they are suggesting that these new powers would _ are suggesting that these new powers would be _ are suggesting that these new powers would be about varying the pay and it could _ would be about varying the pay and it could be — would be about varying the pay and it could be below or above public sector— it could be below or above public sector pay~ — it could be below or above public sector pay. so it could go up or down — sector pay. so it could go up or down i— sector pay. so it could go up or down. i might miss reading this? i�*d down. i might miss reading this? be quite down. i might miss reading this? if. be quite surprised. a nice story below that on the front of the

telegraph, penny. children's books go file of police was up this is a terrible story about five people who've been arrested on sedition charges. who've been arrested on sedition charaes. , , ., charges. this is about some children's — charges. this is about some children's book _ charges. this is about some children's book in _ charges. this is about some children's book in hong i charges. this is about some | children's book in hong kong charges. this is about some - children's book in hong kong which children�*s book in hong kong which are cartoons being chased by wolves was that _ are cartoons being chased by wolves was that now they�*ve got various titles _ was that now they�*ve got various titles one — was that now they�*ve got various titles. one is the guardians of sheep— titles. one is the guardians of sheep village. give it the garbage collectors — sheep village. give it the garbage collectors of sheep village and the 12 heroes — collectors of sheep village and the 12 heroes of sheep village. and there _ 12 heroes of sheep village. and there was— 12 heroes of sheep village. and there was a senior superintendent of police _ there was a senior superintendent of police at _ there was a senior superintendent of police at a _ there was a senior superintendent of police at a news conference yesterday saying that they were thinly _ yesterday saying that they were thinly disguised allusions to china's_ thinly disguised allusions to china�*s two china�*s crackdown of hong _ china�*s two china�*s crackdown of hong kong�*s freedom. a bit china's two china's crackdown of hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are the ? hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for— hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for sure. _ hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for sure. what _ hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for sure. what is _ hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for sure. what is going i hong kong's freedom. a bit paranoid, are they? for sure. what is going on | are they? for sure. what is going on in hon: are they? for sure. what is going on in hong kong — are they? for sure. what is going on in hong kong who — are they? for sure. what is going on in hong kong who have _ are they? for sure. what is going on in hong kong who have been - are they? for sure. what is going on in hong kong who have been lucky i in hong kong who have been lucky enough to visit hong kong over the years in both the chris patton days and more recently, what is been

going on there is horrendous. and it's not over yet by any stretch of the imagination. but i have to say, it's things like this aren't exactly rare. my immediate reaction was what do they make of grimms fairy tales? pretty godly stuff and there is in there? , , ., ., ., pretty godly stuff and there is in there? , , ., . ., . there? penny you are right not a fun sto at there? penny you are right not a fun story at all- — there? penny you are right not a fun story at all. move _ there? penny you are right not a fun story at all. move on _ there? penny you are right not a fun story at all. move on to something l story at all. move on to something that might be a bit more fun. david, wearing your hat is a former professional in the sporting world. it's a great photograph to start with. this is maria of hungary training for the table tennis at the tokyo olympics. and she's had the olympic rings shaved into the back of her hair by the look of it. i thought it was a rather odd pitcher if i'm brutally honest. the relevance of it, i didn't quite get.

she's excited to be at the olympics. i was on the british olympic association for how many years like six or seven years including, i remember going to beijing, i remember going to beijing, i remember being one of those who voted to support a london bed where not everybody was in favour of it. and london won. and that fantastic atmosphere that it brought. the olympics ultimately about the competitors, the people who work for four years and in this case five years to reach the peak of their sport. and i hope that they do that and i know it's a television event but i hope it is a wonderful television event.— but i hope it is a wonderful television event. any he lets thought? — television event. any he lets thought? whatever - television event. any he lets thought? whatever you i television event. any he lets| thought? whatever you think television event. any he lets i thought? whatever you think of the photo it's can be quite an event one—way or the other. even if it's for good or bad reasons. it�*s one-way or the other. even if it's for good or bad reasons. it's always an event. for good or bad reasons. it's always an event- lt's _ for good or bad reasons. it's always an event. it's incredible, _ for good or bad reasons. it's always an event. it's incredible, all- for good or bad reasons. it's always an event. it's incredible, all those l an event. it�*s incredible, all those athletes _ an event. it�*s incredible, all those athletes who have trained for so lon- athletes who have trained for so long for— athletes who have trained for so long for this one particular moment. it's such— long for this one particular moment. it's such a _ long for this one particular moment. it�*s such a shame that they are not going _

it�*s such a shame that they are not going to _ it�*s such a shame that they are not going to have the audience right there _ going to have the audience right there at— going to have the audience right there at the stadium.— going to have the audience right there at the stadium. penny smith, david, there at the stadium. penny smith, david. always _ there at the stadium. penny smith, david. always a _ there at the stadium. penny smith, david, always a pleasure _ there at the stadium. penny smith, david, always a pleasure to - there at the stadium. penny smith, david, always a pleasure to hear. david, always a pleasure to hear what you have to say. always surprising too. have a lovely rest of the night. don't forget the vac servers 1230 on radio four. thank you very much for your company on the papers this evening. with that sports and weather coming up with that sports and weather coming up next and more news from newsday. good evening i'm tulsen tollett and this is your sports news. oval invincibles have beaten manchester originals by nine runs in london to win the first match of the men's hundred competiton. invincibles skipper sam billings must�*ve thought it had worked out after losing the toss and being sent in as he helped himself to 49 runs in a total of 145 for eight and in response it was another sam

but of the curran variety who took two wickets including the key figure of carlos brathwaite late on which took the wind out of the visiting teams sails and saw the invincibles take victory at the oval. sunil narine, i mean, mystery spin plays a huge part in the short form after the game. to have him as kind of a secret weapon to use is a huge bonus. but again, you look at the four international guys, they played a lot of cricket for england, a lot of different skills. kind of covers or basis, really. a sport of options. it was a mixed day for the british players in the fourth women's golf major of the year, the evian championship in france. the leaders are on six under with england's georgia hall four strokes further back as lydia campbell reports. after a two—year break due to the pandemic the evian championship has returned

to sun soaked france. at the top of the leaderboard is world number 113, recon after she made her best start to a major. she is tied at 6—under par alongside america's. former open champion georgia hall is britain's highest place player. she is four also lead into under as she aims for the second major winner of her career. ireland's maguire has had a brilliant season so far. another in impressive round of 69 here means that getting caught spot for his growing ever louder. spare a thought though for seven—time major winner park. she tackled this shot with one foot in the water only to end up right back where she started. scenes that make us all feel a little bit better about our own golf. now to the rugby league world cup which is scheduled to be played in england this autumn — and the news that australia

and new zealand have pulled out of the tournament — citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to covid—19, and want it postponed until next year. they're the two biggest sides in the men's and women's games — and the withdrawal will also affect the wheelchair competition. the rugby football league have hit back strongly criticising the decision — saying they've done all they can to alleviate any fears. the rugby league world cup organisers have been bending over backwards for many months to accommodate all of the concerns raised by the australians and the kiwi's and we believed that they were in a situation in a place where they were willing to come, so this decision has come as a huge blow, and i'm sorry to say that i have no choice but to call this a selfish parochial and cowardly decision. they are now going to have to turn around to their players, their men, their women and their disability athletes and say to them that because of their decision, they are not able to participate in a world cup that should be the pinnacle of their career.

i think that is going to be very difficult. the players want to come, and i think leadership of our sport in those countries has taken that away from them. there was one game in super league tonight where huddersfield winger jermaine mcgillvary scored four tries as the giants beat fourth placed hull fc 40—26. the 33—year—old former england and great britain international was unstoppable in his sides eight try victory as he helped his team to a first win since the 23rd of may but they still sit second bottom of the table. after a year of delays the 2020 olympics finally get under way in tokyo tomorrow, with the games�* opening ceremony. and two gold medallists from rio will be leading out team gb — sailor hannah mills and rower moe sbihi. mills — here on the left — says she's overwhelmed to be chosen as a flag bearer. in a break from tradition, each nation has been allowed to nominate one female and one male representative.

mills and sbihi were selected from a group of athletes put forward by their sports, as encompassing the olympic and team gb values. to be selected as a rower, and be the flag bearer a very olympic based sport, it doesn't create superstars. so to be the face alongside hannah and i think it is such a fall in nominal role. phenomenal. —i just hope that it will show that a normal kid from a normal comprehensive secondary school can be the person that is leading out the team at the olympic games. i'm sure athletes feel so proud to represent their country, you know, to have a gb and the olympic rings the men's football tournament is underway. brazil — gold medallists in rio 5 years ago — got off to the perfect start with a big 4—2 win over germany in yokohama.

it was a rematch of the 2016 final, which brazil won on penalties and they took the game by storm — everton's richarlison opening the scoring. and he was in the mood for more too as he scored a first—half hat—trick to put brazil 3—nil up. germany then scored two of their own but this brilliant goal from paulinho put the result beyond any doubt for brazil. elsewhere... mexico thrashed france 4—1. the pick of their goals coming from sebastian cordova, early in the second half. and for all the latest on the first leg matches in the second qualifying round for the europa conference but that's all the sport for now. the heatwave is coming to an end, it may not feel like it right away because it's been so hot for so long. and in northern ireland on thursday, we beat the all—time high record once again, 31.4 celsius, that's three times in the space of a week that northern ireland has beaten its all—time high temperature record. and the amber warning

from the met office of extreme heat is still in force for friday, that's because the temperatures will remain high during the night and during the daytime. you can see clear skies across many through the early hours in some areas, temperature is still around 20 degrees celsius. but it is quiet on the weather front, at least for now. areas, but through the evening and into afternoon, some coastal towns and cities along the north sea coasts will probably stay cloudy, fairly cool as well, relatively speaking, but with a breeze blowing out of the east and that heat still travelling towards the west, this is where we are going to have the higher temperatures. so once again, 30 degrees is just about possible in northern ireland, high 20s, across in wales, maybe the midlands. look at that, only 2a degrees expected in london. lots of sunshine, the possibility of a thunderstorm during the afternoon, and then in the evening, clouds are increasing in the southwest of the country. so friday night, we could see some thunderstorms, and that heralds

a really thundery weekend for many of us with slow—moving downpours brought by this area of low pressure on saturday and on sunday. the best of the weather will actually be across scotland and northern ireland, so this is where the sunshine will be. where it's further south, you can see from morning onwards, we've got cloud, outbreaks of rain, some thunderstorms, and remember, these are slow—moving storms, so a lot of rainfall in a relatively small area, in a short space of time, leading to potential flash floods. temperatures quite a bit lower, mostly in the low 20s. similar weather expected on sunday, if anything, the storms could be even more severe across some southern and southeastern areas. again, the best of the weather out towards the northwest. glasgow could be the warm spot, possibly northern ireland as well, around 2a celsius. and the cool weather is expected next week with a low pressure close by, bringing fresher conditions. that's it from me.

welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... the final countdown to tokyo's delayed olympics. anticipation rises — but so do the covid cases and controversies. the opening ceremony is just hours away. i'm sarah mulkerrins live in tokyo as the city is finally waking up to the beginning of the games — with organisers hoping the sporting action on offer will boost the mood. china deals with the devastating aftermath of catastrophic flooding. thousands are evacuated from the huh—nan region —

at least 33 people are confirmed dead. also on the programme, renewed friction between the us and china.