this is bbc news for viewers in the uk and around the globe. our top stories... more success for australia on day five of the tokyo olympic games. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus wins her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle. us health officials change course on face coverings — advising people to wear masks indoors again — even if they're been vaccinated. still in lockdown — sydney and the surrounding area, remains under strict covid measures for at least another four weeks — as infection rates surge.

a country in crisis. a year after the deadly beirut blast scarred lebanon — we have a special report. and wildfires threaten parts of greece — as strong winds fan the flames through the countryside north of athens. hello and welcome. let's start with the olympics —— and day 5 action is well underway in tokyo with medals events in the pool and on the water. australia's ariarne titmus picked up a second gold medal and an olympic record. our sports presenter, sarah mulkerrins, is in tokyo with the details. a brilliant olympic games so far for the australian. they call her the terminator, such is her dominance and ferocity in the pool. a couple of days ago she won gold in the 400 metres freestyle in that epic duel she had then with the american

star katie ledecky. and today it was even more of a dominant win for her. she had a slow start but she came through to finish in that stunning time. a really interesting race, katie ledecky had finished fifth, that's the first time in 36 international competitions that she hasn't won a medal in the final, so gold, double gold for ariarne titmus. for ledecky, she was able to then go on and move into the 1500 metres freestyle. that final was a little bit later. the first time it has been at the olympics for the women and she had a very dominant performance in that. she was able to win her sixth olympic gold medal in that. tears flowed for katie ledecky after that win. there was also a gold, a second gold for yui ohashi of japan. a brilliant result for her in a 200 metres individual medley and then a stormer of a performance for great britain's men in the relay they were in,

the 200 metres freestyle. you may remember that yesterday they took gold and silver with tom dean and duncan scott, they were part of the quartet. they stormed to victory in that — they were about three clear of the russian olympic committee and australia, who finished in the silver and bronze medal. james guy was also in that, he's been around on the scene for ages and hejust broke down in tears. he was so emotional he was finally able to get an olympic gold for that then we had matthew richards, a young 18—year—old. i'm not quite sure he knew what hit him on his olympic debut, winning an olympic gold. it was interesting as well, ben, because the americans didn't win a medal at all. caleb tressel is the star swimmer. he was going in the 100 metres freestyle heats but he didn't feature in this relay. that has been a big talking point in us media about him not

being there and what that meant for their hopes in the final. you mentioned the british success — there has also been plenty of aussie success as well. absolutely. it has been a great day for them. ariarne titmus in the pool. they have done ever so well in the rowing. these events were rescheduled because of the tropical storm and typing up was approaching japan. we had our first medal is awarded in the rowing today. australia double success in the women's and men's fours. a really interesting matchup between the australians and the dutch in the women's race. that was nip and tuck all the way along. it was the australians that were just about on the line, it was the australians with the dutch in second and ireland won the bronze medal in that. but in the men's. this was really something spectacular really when you consider that rate written have won gold in this event since 2000. they are so dominant in this event. they were going for gold again, they were in second place with 500 metres to go, but then the boat, they steered

into the wrong lane and threw themselves totally off course so it was the aussies who are able to keep going, keep their heads together and across the line to win gold in that in a remarkable upset really. they couldn't quite believe it. great success this morning here in tokyo for the australians in the rowing. health officials in the us are urging people to resume wearing masks indoors in areas where the delta variant of coronavirus has sparked a rise in cases. the announcement reverses the advice issued two months ago. the centres for disease control says all teachers and students should wear masks indoors when schools re—open after the summer break, regardless of their vaccination status. president biden has again appealed to all americans to be vaccinated. so why the u—turn? here's the bbc�*s north america correspondent peter bowes. this really reflects the growing concern of the federal government and the centre for disease control and prevention about the surge in the number of cases of coronavirus

around the country, especially in certain state like florida, where there's been a real peaking of new infections in recent days and weeks. the advice now, it is an advisory body, a government advisory body on health infectious diseases, and it is saying that all americans, whether vaccinated or not should wear a mask indoors in a public setting. interestingly, i'm in los angeles and that rule was brought in here about ten days ago because this is indeed one of the areas where there has been a surge in the number of cases. as you said, president biden once again urging all americans if they haven't already to have the covid—19 vaccine. the president also speaking just a short time ago at the white house said that he is considering requiring all federal workers, government workers, to have the vaccination as well. some media outlets saying he will announce this on thursday, perhaps with the caveat they should either have the

vaccination or at least have regular tests. federal workers are about 4 million around the country, they include postal workers, members of the military, immigration agents, people who work in the social security department. that would be a significant need. again reflecting the very serious concern that this isn't meeting, coronavirus is very much here and that surge in numbers is really concerning health officials. in australia, it's been announced that the strictest covid measures will remain in place in sydney and the surrounding area for another four weeks. they were first imposed a month ago. our correspondent shaimaa khalil joins me now from sydney. the restrictions were and plan was, i think katie left them on friday. but now definitely is not going to happen. it but now definitely is not going to ha en. , ., but now definitely is not going to ha . en, , ., ., but now definitely is not going to hauen. , ., ., ., happen. it is not going to happen. was widely _ happen. it is not going to happen. was widely expected _ happen. it is not going to happen. was widely expected there - happen. it is not going to happen. was widely expected there was i happen. it is not going to happen. i was widely expected there was going to be an extension but it is

disheartening for the city ciders and people in the surrounding areas. this was imposed at the end ofjune as a two week lockdown and has been extended for another three weeks for a five—week lock and now we know we are in it for another month. the number of places remains consistently high. the trajectory is going upwards. experts are predicting this could go on until september, notjust at predicting this could go on until september, not just at the predicting this could go on until september, notjust at the end of august. new south wales has recorded 177 locally acquired cases, the highest number since the beginning of the outbreak a646 of highest number since the beginning of the outbreak 4646 of them were active while infectious in the community. more than 2500 people in sydney's worst outbreak this year but that these numbers compared with others around the world are quite low but in the australian context, life was back to near normal as

recently as may. many are concerned about what it means for livelihoods. many who work in construction and manufacturing who cannot afford to work from home have been voicing their concern. we had from scott morrison, the prime minister, about an increase in the coronavirus disaster funds for people losing hours at work. many are saying it is not enough. we were hearing about the australian triumphs in the olympics and the prime minister said, like the olympics he went for gold, australia can beat this. australia's gold medals are lifting spirits. this is putting a big dampener on it in sydney, that is for sure. dampener on it in sydney, that is forsure. i dampener on it in sydney, that is for sure. ,, dampener on it in sydney, that is forsure. ., dampener on it in sydney, that is forsure. , dampener on it in sydney, that is forsure. for sure. i saw you posted a clip on twitter of the _ for sure. i saw you posted a clip on twitter of the famous _ for sure. i saw you posted a clip on twitter of the famous sydney - for sure. i saw you posted a clip on i twitter of the famous sydney harbour bridge normally bustling and busy, it was virtually empty. looks as though people are complying with the restrictions, is that the case? many

--eole, restrictions, is that the case? many peeple. especially _ restrictions, is that the case? many people, especially people - restrictions, is that the case? many people, especially people i - restrictions, is that the case? litany people, especially people i have spoken to in the south—west of the city, which has been the epicentre of that outbreak, and the make—up of that area is it is biggerfamilies, mainly migrant communities. they say we had been complying, we have not been visiting each other. a week ago —— it still remains high. the criticism is as opposed to victoria or south australia which had come out of that lot dance, the authorities in sydney have left it too late to get into lockdown and it has not been strict enough and clear enough, which is what they are trying to make up for. the other big thing is vaccinations. not enough people are vaccinated and this is what the authorities are trying to push, not a new south wales but in the whole of australia.—

the whole of australia. thank you for the update — the whole of australia. thank you for the update from _ the whole of australia. thank you for the update from our _ for the update from our correspondent in sydney. it's almost a year since the devastating blast in beirut, and lebanon is in the grips of one of the world's worst economic crises in more than a century. medicine, electricity and fuel are scarce, and it's estimated that more than half the poplualation can no longer afford enough food. jean mackenzie sent us this special report. lebanon is suffering from a collapse of epic portions. food, fuel and medicine are all scarce. as the currency plunges, people had been left with nothing. just imagine moving into a refugee camp in your own country. that is how desperate

things have become full some lebanese amylase. this man tear after losing hisjob lebanese amylase. this man tear after losing his job as a taxi driver. —— moved here after losing hisjob. at petrol stations, people keyver hours, desperate to secure the little fuel that is left as the country in jewels power cuts that can last 24—hour is. —— n jewels power cuts. this is another sign of leben on�*s economic catastrophe which has seen the country lose 90% of its value against the dollar. the country's main public hospital is missing vital life—saving medicines.

i have problems. i5 missing vital life-saving medicines. i have problems.— i have problems. is this the lowest ou have i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever— i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever had _ i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever had your _ i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever had your stocks - i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever had your stocks go? j you have ever had your stocks go? yes. last week women came, she was pregnant and had pre—eclampsia, hypertension in pregnancy and she lost her baby because we do have magnesium. fix, lost her baby because we do have magnesium-— lost her baby because we do have maanesium. �* , ., ., ., ., , magnesium. a year on from the deadly ex - losion in magnesium. a year on from the deadly explosion in beirut, _ magnesium. a year on from the deadly explosion in beirut, the _ magnesium. a year on from the deadly explosion in beirut, the city _ magnesium. a year on from the deadly explosion in beirut, the city is - explosion in beirut, the city is still in tatters and the country is without a government. bickering politicians are unable to agree on a new cabinet, leading the country to free full. frustration spills onto the streets. these flare—ups have in every few weeks. we had some live

ammunition. they show how the situation is. they show the instability that people in lebanon are having to live with. the? instability that people in lebanon are having to live with. they have had no economic— are having to live with. they have had no economic and _ are having to live with. they have had no economic and financial - had no economic and financial strategy for this country for decades, for decades. they have in systemically and structurally leading us to this point. mitt; systemically and structurally leading us to this point. why are --eole leading us to this point. why are peeple not _ leading us to this point. why are peeple not out — leading us to this point. why are people not out here _ leading us to this point. why are people not out here again - leading us to this point. why are people not out here again in - leading us to this point. why are people not out here again in the| people not out here again in the masses on the streets? the lebanese --eole are masses on the streets? the lebanese peeple are not — masses on the streets? the lebanese people are not well, _ masses on the streets? the lebanese people are not well, we _ masses on the streets? the lebanese people are not well, we need - masses on the streets? the lebanese people are not well, we need to - people are not well, we need to understand this. we people are not well, we need to understand this.— understand this. we do not feel well. for years, _ understand this. we do not feel well. for years, lebanon - understand this. we do not feel well. for years, lebanon has. understand this. we do not feel i well. for years, lebanon has been understand this. we do not feel - well. for years, lebanon has been on the brink of collapse no more. it's day has come. as it enters another night of darkness, many fear it has far further to fall.

stay with us on bbc news. still to come... the police officers who say they feared for their lives as they tried to keep the mob at bay during january's storming of the us capitol.

this is bbc news, the main story this hour... more success for australia on day five of the olympics. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus wins her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle. police officers, who tried to prevent donald trump's supporters from storming the us capitol building injanuary, have been giving dramatic evidence at the start of an inquiry into what happened. the panel will look at the reasons for the riot,

which happened as lawmakers gathered to certify president biden�*s election victory. our correspondent barbara plett—usher reports from washington. do you swear to affirm that the testimony you are about to give... police officers who defended the capitoljust months ago formed a steady blue line as they prepared to testify. it was a sharp contrast to the chaos injanuary when they were overrun by a mob of trump supporters trying to overturn the results of an election that h'de lost. —— that he'd lost. the committee replayed the shocking images, reminding americans what's at stake in the investigation of how and why this happened. i can feel myself losing oxygen, and recall thinking to myself, "this is how i am going to die, defending this entrance. " i heard chanting from some of the crowd. "get his gun and kill him with his own gun." everyone was reliving that dark day, convinced this inquiry was needed to prevent another attack on the peaceful

transfer of power. there was anger at republicans accused of downplaying what unfolded. the indifference shown to my colleagues is disgraceful! for democrats, suspect number one is donald trump. they blame him for inciting the rioters — something he denies. only two republican lawmakers agreed to sit on the committee, saying issues much bigger than party politics are in play. you know, democracies are not defined by our bad days. the republican leadership is trying to send a different message from a much smaller platform. speaker pelosi will only pick people onto the committee who will ask the questions she wants asked. that becomes a failed committee and a failed report. a sham that no—one can believe. the man at the heart of the investigation is not at the hearing, and probably won't be making an appearance, but donald trump continues to loom large over the republican party and over american politics. as do the divisions he left

in his wake, in congress and the country, the investigation is unlikely to fix that. barbara plett—usher, bbc news, washington. let's have a look at some of the main news in the uk. the head of public health england says the pandemic is "farfrom over", despite the number of coronavirus cases falling for a seventh day in a row. professor yvonne doyle said rates remain high and the uk is still in a third wave. 131 deaths were reported yesterday, which is the highest number since march. cabinet ministers will meet today to discuss allowing fully vaccinated travellers from the us and the european union to come to england without needing to quarantine. a review of the rules on international travel is expected by the end of the week. currently, only people who've been vaccinated in the uk can avoid isolating when arriving from amber list countries. south africa's vaccination rate has increased significantly in recent weeks, and has been largely driven by younger people who are keen to show others that vaccines work and are safe.

but with just under a% of the population vaccinated, the country still has a long way to go before it reaches its target of 67% by february of next year. the bbc�*s vumani mkhize has more. they are coming in the numbers. these are the more than 6 million south africans who have received at least one shot of a covid—19 vaccine. teams of nurses are stationed at various boots inside thisjohannesburg vaccination site. people are relieved to finally get their jabs. people are relieved to finally get theirjabs. i people are relieved to finally get their 'abs. , ., ., , their 'abs. i 'ust want to live my life theirjabs. i 'ust want to live my life and theirjabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy — theirjabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy life, _ theirjabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy life, i _ theirjabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy life, i came - theirjabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy life, i came for i life and enjoy life, i came for vaccination. really much relief i had my shot. vaccination. really much reliefi had my shot-— had my shot. south africa's vaccination _ had my shot. south africa's vaccination roll-out - had my shot. south africa's vaccination roll-out is i had my shot. south africa's| vaccination roll-out is finally vaccination roll—out is finally gaining momentum after a slow start. these sites and administering shots

to 150,000 people a day. the increase in vaccinations has been helped by greater collaboration between public and private health care sectors and plans are in place to ramp up inoculations. the care sectors and plans are in place to ramp up inoculations.— care sectors and plans are in place to ramp up inoculations. the uk at its eak to ramp up inoculations. the uk at its peak was _ to ramp up inoculations. the uk at its peak was vaccinating _ to ramp up inoculations. the uk at its peak was vaccinating about i its peak was vaccinating about 400,000 vaccinations a day. when you compare south africa to the uk, we can get to similar trajectories to what the uk was vaccinating out. south africans between the ages of 18 and 34 will be allowed to be vaccinated against covid—19 in september. younger people are keen to be inoculated. this newsreader cannot wait to get his jab at his age group is allowed to be vaccinated. bill age group is allowed to be vaccinated.— age group is allowed to be vaccinated. �* ., , , ., vaccinated. all of my friends are in their late 205. _ vaccinated. all of my friends are in their late 20s, 30s _ vaccinated. all of my friends are in their late 20s, 30s and _ vaccinated. all of my friends are in their late 20s, 30s and 40s. i vaccinated. all of my friends are in their late 20s, 30s and 40s. they| their late 20s, 30s and 40s. they want to get vaccinated, they have signed up. older people here at work, one lady said to me, i am not going to get vaccinated because i do

not know anyone who has been vaccinated and lived to tell the tale. hopefully when they see as younger ones coming back from being vaccinated and being healthy, that will encourage more of them to line up. will encourage more of them to line u . _ ., , , will encourage more of them to line up. health experts caution although there is momentum, _ up. health experts caution although there is momentum, it _ up. health experts caution although there is momentum, it does - up. health experts caution although there is momentum, it does come l up. health experts caution although j there is momentum, it does come a little too late. just because vaccination numbers are high right now doesn't mean it will stay like that forever.— that forever. what we are experiencing _ that forever. what we are experiencing right - that forever. what we are experiencing right now, i that forever. what we are - experiencing right now, hopefully i am wrong, — experiencing right now, hopefully i am wrong, is a honeymoon period. there _ am wrong, is a honeymoon period. there is_ am wrong, is a honeymoon period. there is a — am wrong, is a honeymoon period. there is a group in society which is keen_ there is a group in society which is keen to _ there is a group in society which is keen to he — there is a group in society which is keen to be vaccinated and those are rushing _ keen to be vaccinated and those are rushing forward to be vaccinated. will sell— rushing forward to be vaccinated. will sell a — rushing forward to be vaccinated. will sell a large percentage of other— will sell a large percentage of other people that should be vaccinated who are not coming forward — vaccinated who are not coming forward -- _ vaccinated who are not coming forward. —— also also a large percentage. forward. -- also also a large percentage-— forward. -- also also a large ”ercentae. , , ., percentage. many young people are relieved there _ percentage. many young people are relieved there is _ percentage. many young people are relieved there is no _ percentage. many young people are relieved there is no -- _ percentage. many young people are relieved there is no -- there - percentage. many young people are relieved there is no -- there is i percentage. many young people are relieved there is no -- there is a i relieved there is no —— there is a honeymoon stage at all. they want to spread the word about the benefits of being inoculated.

a series of fires are threatening parts of greece, with strong winds making matters worse. north of athens, flames swept through a pine forest. it's unclear what caused it, but reports of arson are being investigated, with concerns climate change is worsening similar fires and other extreme weather events across europe, as mark lobel reports. a familiar sight at this time of year in europe, but is it getting worse? tackling forest fires from the skies around athens, the question being asked on the ground is what climate change may be doing to exacerbate the problem. as homes are destroyed and residents evacuated, temperatures are set to rise even further this week after an already tough start. translation: this was a very difficult fire which moved i from area to area with the wind and, as a result, spread extremely quickly with multiple fronts erupting. in northern italy, hailstorms

causing extensive damage, with flash flooding and landslides damaging homes. sardinia is still reeling from forest fires, forcing hundreds to evacuate, with a state of emergency declared there. it's hoped rain will help rescue spain from catalonia's worst wildfires in two years. turkey is also wading in as a major disaster area is declared after weeks of flooding and landslides in its north—eastern coastal region. translation: just the damaged furniture, shops and cars - amount to millions, and that's not including broken infrastructure and all the recovery work still needed. elsewhere in europe, that recovery work is already under way. in belgium, after the trauma of historic floods, three quarters of annual household waste

dumped in just two days, as the death toll continues to rise. while in germany, where bridges once lay, an impromptu ferry service after their floods. in london, a major city brought to its knees by the flash flooding. all a prescient warning with just a dozen days to go until the latest science on climate change is published, expected to be a clarion call to world leaders to act, with time no longer on their side as the changing climate closes in on our planet. mark lobel, bbc news. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @ ben m boulos.

do not galloway. the business news in athe minutes. —— do not go away. that is in a few minutes. lots of rain around yesterday in many parts of the country. thunderstorms as well. for many areas it will be the case of sunshine, potentially heavy and thundery downpours and a strong wind as well. low pressure in charge of the weather once again. it is not leaving very far very fast. more persistent rain just stuck across this part of scotland. in this area we have an amber rain warning. by the end of the day there could be as much as 90 millimetres of rain which could lead to flooding and disruption. the rain potentially

heavy and thundery as well. elsewhere there will be sunshine. showers coming in from the west. they will push their way eastwards. they will push their way eastwards. they could be heavy and thundery. sunshine away from the showers. they are moving picnic today because of the breeze filter that will be stronger in southern parts of the uk. because of the breeze it will feel cooler. temperatures will be lower than yesterday, only around 18 to 20 degrees in the afternoon. still better weather in northern parts of scotland with the rain continuing to mount up. that does is overnight. the showers in england and wales become fewer. temperature wise, double figures, perhaps not quite as warm as it was first thing this morning. let's have a look at the picture for thursday. the centre of the low pressure is starting to move away. not quite as wet on

thursday. another sneaky low pressure system coming our way. a much drier day for northern scotland with patchy rain in northern england and north wales. sunshine to the south and in the south—west we will find some rain. in the sunshine temperatures up to 21, 22, near—normal for the temperatures up to 21, 22, near—normalfor the time temperatures up to 21, 22, near—normal for the time of year. if you show us around on friday that at the weekend does look drier with sunshine at times. not that one because the breeze is coming down. by. —— goodbye.

this is bbc news broadcasting to the uk and around the globe. i'm ben boulos. our top business stories. the tech titans bite back at the pandemic, as apple, google and microsoft announce bumper profits. the imf raises its forecast for the uk economy, but warns a slower vaccine roll—out will hurt developing nations. a potential game—changer for the hotel industry — the company using 3d—printing technology to build vacation rooms and flat—pack them across the world.

good morning. the tech giants apple, google and microsoft, have all smashed analyst expectations, in updates they have given after the bell on wall street. apple's profits nearly doubled to $21.7 billion in the three months to 30 june, as customers bought pricier 5g iphones. google's parent company, alphabet, also reported on tuesday that quarterly sales and profits had surged to record highs. its video platform youtube saw advertising revenuejump to $7 billion in the quarter. and microsoft saw a $16.5 billion profit at the same time, due to huge demand for its cloud services and games. earlier, i spoke to rob kniaz, who is the founding partner at hoxton ventures. i asked him if these profits were expected.

if you look at the numbers, they are still exceeding expectations in pretty much every way. on the apple side you are seeing these tailwinds combine where people are seeing more optimism in the economy, people are spending more in terms of their business and moving into the cloud. there is also the tailwind of the 5g cycle where people are no refreshing their phone to take advantage of the new networks. bud their phone to take advantage of the new networke— new networks. and yet all of that as we are hearing _ new networks. and yet all of that as we are hearing about _ new networks. and yet all of that as we are hearing about a _ new networks. and yet all of that as we are hearing about a global i we are hearing about a global shortage of microchips? yeah, i don't know _ shortage of microchips? yeah, i don't know if— shortage of microchips? yeah, i don't know if the _ shortage of microchips? yeah, i don't know if the good - shortage of microchips? yeah, i don't know if the good times i shortage of microchips? yeah, i | don't know if the good times will last. there will be road bumps, particularly for anybody selling hardware. they will be supply chain issues. forthe hardware. they will be supply chain issues. for the car companies it is the same concern. apple will have road bumps. but there is still a major factor that people have held off upgrading their phones for the past three years and this is the forcing function getting people to come in and change their phones. it was interesting we talked a lot

about apple and the hardware and the phone side of things, but in terms of alphabet, the parent company of google, revenue is up. interesting to see the increase in revenues on youtube. that is because people have had more time to disappear down a rabbit hole of different youtube videos playing one after the other? yeah, that is exactly right. there has been a shift of people finding more content and movies online. youtube is in the best position for that kind of shift. it is pete bill —— what market is free. it is changed at the whole viewing pattern. regular terrestrial tv is not nearly as exciting. you question whether the — not nearly as exciting. you question whether the good _ not nearly as exciting. you question whether the good times _ not nearly as exciting. you question whether the good times can - not nearly as exciting. you question whether the good times can last. i whether the good times can last. what do you think the main risks are on the horizon that could sort of turn the music down, if not completely off? aha, turn the music down, if not completely off?— turn the music down, if not completely off? turn the music down, if not comletel off? �* , ., ., , completely off? a couple of factors. of course, completely off? a couple of factors. of course. just _ completely off? a couple of factors. of course. just a — completely off? a couple of factors. of course, just a supply _ completely off? a couple of factors. of course, just a supply is _ completely off? a couple of factors. of course, just a supply is going i completely off? a couple of factors. of course, just a supply is going to l of course, just a supply is going to

be a big issue. all these parties have come from taiwan or china. there is a huge issue of whether supply chains keep up. there is a question about whether there is going to be a trade war between the us and china. and of course there is the general economic question. do consumers feel confident about the economy and of to keep buying things that are not essential, like a new phone or upgrade a phone? things could always _ phone or upgrade a phone? things could always change. _ phone or upgrade a phone? things could always change. when - phone or upgrade a phone? things could always change. when the i phone or upgrade a phone? things could always change. when the tech giants like apple, alphabet, microsoft reported such strong results, what does it do for others in the sector? is there a halo effect that they also benefit from, or does it tell us the market is very much in the hands of these few very much in the hands of these few very big firms? ida. very much in the hands of these few very big firms?— very big firms? no, i think it 'ust confirms the i very big firms? no, i think it 'ust confirms the entire i very big firms? no, i think it 'ust confirms the entire selector i very big firms? no, i think itjust confirms the entire selector -- i confirms the entire selector —— sector of validity. it has been such

a sector of change. when google and microsoft succeed, all the other companies in the ecosystem succeed. it indicates a massive shift of businesses to using more online tools and more cloud tools. i would say it is an overall positive for nearly everyone in the sector. the number ofjob vacancies in the uk surpassed pre—pandemic levels in the three months tojune, according to the office for national statistics. and today the recruitment & employment confederation says employer confidence in hiring is at an all—time high, but staff shortages threaten to damage their optimism. so are firms are finding it difficult to hire the workers they need? and is confidence in hiring translating tojobs? kate shoesmith is the deputy ceo of the recruitment & employment confederation. she explained more about this large recruitment drive.

last year was tough on everyone. many businesses included. and what we are now seeing is that employer confidence is much stronger, so there is confidence that they can go out there and get the opportunities for business growth, particularly in key sectors, and we have seen the demand go sky—high for things like it and digital skills. we have seen the real strain put on the nhs and the real strain put on the nhs and the health and care services. and they have had to bear the brunt of much of the pandemic. so there is a really high demand for staff in sectors like that. but then i was thinking about retail logistics and the opening up of the uk economy has led to employers needing to employ more staff. , ., ., more staff. they need to hire more staff but they _ more staff. they need to hire more staff but they can't _ more staff. they need to hire more staff but they can't necessarily i staff but they can't necessarily find them. why do you think there is a shortage? find them. why do you think there is a shortaae? find them. why do you think there is a shortage?— a shortage? some of this is pre-pandemic. _ a shortage? some of this is pre-pandemic. we - a shortage? some of this is pre-pandemic. we talk i a shortage? some of this is l pre-pandemic. we talk about a shortage? some of this is i pre-pandemic. we talk about staff pre—pandemic. we talk about staff and skill shortages in certain areas. it can be regionally focused

and it can be occupationally focused. i've already mentioned it. more employers want to see their staff and their employees have digital skills. that is across the board. we need some really deep technical skills as well. so thinking about online retail, about how we engage with each other now — it is done gradually and digitally a much higher numbers. there is a need for technical people in things like cyber security. that demand is really important there. but also, we have got some issues that have been caused partly because of the pandemic. i've already mentioned health care. for workers and their —— those sectors, they have been working really hard, there is burn—out, people need to take a break. we have an issue where there are numbers of people in the nhs that didn't retire last year. they should be retiring but they stayed to do the jobs while they could. they were needed. so there are

multiple issues affecting why people are available for the roles. d0 multiple issues affecting why people are available for the roles.— are available for the roles. do you think there _ are available for the roles. do you think there is _ are available for the roles. do you think there is reluctance - are available for the roles. do you think there is reluctance among i think there is reluctance among people to changejobs? think there is reluctance among people to change jobs? i know people who have switched jobs. you would normally get to know colleagues and meet them face—to—face. that is not always possible. some people may be anxious about going to a new workplace where they don't get to meet their colleagues in person? when we speak to recruiters, they say there is a real nervousness about that, the onboarding process, after about how you introduce new members of the team, train them effectively. it is not the same as being sat across a desk and being able to listen to the phone calls happening between others and learn from those examples. you do have to do quite a different induction policy. some people are naturally nervous. when we asked employers, one third said they are finding that candidates, job—seekers, are not necessarily looking to move right now. they are quite cautious. whenever there is a downturn,

whenever there is an economic blip, you can always see that people are less willing to move jobs. that tends to be the way. building that confidence is all—important. kate confidence is all-important. kate shoesmith from _ confidence is all-important. kate shoesmith from the _ confidence is all—important. kate shoesmith from the recruitment and employment federation. the uk economy will grow faster than expected this year, as it recovers from the covid pandemic, according to the latest forecast from the international monetary fund. they now predict the uk economy will grow by 7% in 2021. however, the picture was much bleaker for developing countries, with imf warning of slower growth due to a limited vaccine roll—out. maike currie is the investment director at fidelity international. i asked her whether this economic growth was impressive. it is impressive. we have to look at this in the context of how far economic output fell in 2010 to —— 2020. 10% was the highest rate in

three years. the uk will suffered one of the biggest death tolls on one of the biggest death tolls on one of the biggest death tolls on one of the biggest economic slumps. it is rising up from quite a low base. we have to take that into context. ~ ., ., ~' base. we have to take that into context. ~ ., ., ~ ., context. when we look at the forecast from _ context. when we look at the forecast from the _ context. when we look at the forecast from the imf, i context. when we look at the forecast from the imf, how i context. when we look at the i forecast from the imf, how closely is there a link between the countries that are forecast to grow most strongly and fastest in terms of their economy, and the speed of vaccine roll—outs? the of their economy, and the speed of vaccine roll-outs?— vaccine roll-outs? the link is on disputable- _ vaccine roll-outs? the link is on disputable. that _ vaccine roll-outs? the link is on disputable. that is _ vaccine roll-outs? the link is on disputable. that is where i vaccine roll-outs? the link is on disputable. that is where we i vaccine roll-outs? the link is on| disputable. that is where we are seeing this economic wedge between the nl comp —— the developed world and the developing world. while the developed world has seen exponential vaccinations, even though it has less of a population than the developing world, the developing world are still lagging. that is a thing the international monetary fund is most worried about. this economic divergence. economic inequality that is being driven by a vaccination programme that is not equal between the developed world

and the developing world. the fact is that no matter how successful we are at fighting this virus in the developed world, we will never get ahead of it if we don't have equitable distribution of vaccines across the world because quite frankly the virus will keep swelling, will keep circulating. it will mutate. so there is really a need here for the developed world to step up and help the developing world, so we can have a more equitable distribution of the vaccine because that will impact economic growth around the globe, really. economic growth around the globe, reall . ,., , ., economic growth around the globe, reall . , ., ., ,, economic growth around the globe, reall . , ., .,~ ., economic growth around the globe, reall . , ., w ., ., really. governments have taken on a hue really. governments have taken on a huge amount — really. governments have taken on a huge amount of— really. governments have taken on a huge amount of debt _ really. governments have taken on a huge amount of debt in _ really. governments have taken on a huge amount of debt in order- really. governments have taken on a huge amount of debt in order to i huge amount of debt in order to support businesses and people throughout the pandemic. and much of a concern is the impact of that data on the recovery weighing on investors?— on the recovery weighing on investors? , , ., , investors? the debt needs to be taken in context. _

investors? the debt needs to be taken in context. in _ investors? the debt needs to be taken in context. in the - investors? the debt needs to be taken in context. in the uk i investors? the debt needs to be taken in context. in the uk we i investors? the debt needs to be i taken in context. in the uk we had of the furlough scheme which helped to prop upjobs. despite economic output falling and the economy seeing the worst recession since the great depression, the fact that incomes were propped up meant that households could still survive, really, and spent. that was hugely helpful. it made a big difference between how we went into the financial crisis compared to how we went into the covid—19 pandemic. the money spent did help prop up economies. the question now is what do governments do with those major deficits, the debt they have racked up, and how do they unwind it? the full or scheme is winding up in september. it is only then we will see the full impact of the pandemic. stay with us on bbc news. still to come... a potential game—changer for the hotel industry — the company using 3d—printing technology to build rooms

and flat—pack them across the world. the head of public health england says the pandemic is "far from over", despite the number of coronavirus cases falling for a seventh day in a row. professor yvonne doyle said rates remain high and the uk is still in a third wave. 131 deaths were reported yesterday, which is the highest number since march. cabinet ministers will meet today, to discuss allowing fully vaccinated travellers from the us and the european union to come to england without needing to quarantine. a review of the rules on international travel is expected by the end of the week. currently, only people who've been vaccinated in the uk can avoid isolating when arriving from amber list countries. aviation firms, including british airways and virgin atlantic, claimed a trial has demonstrated the uk can safely exempt fully vaccinated us and eu visitors

from self—isolation. a nursing union is planning what it calls a summer of action to protest against the 3% pay rise offer made last week. the royal college of nursing had campaigned for an increase of 12.5% increase, and it says it has the backing of more than half the public. the government says its offer — which followed a recommendation by nhs pay bodies — recognised the extraordinary efforts of frontline medical workers during the pandemic. staff at the honda car factory in swindon are starting their final shifts today, as the plant prepares to close at the end of this week. around 3,500 jobs will be lost in the closure, which was announced by the japanese car giant in 2019. the plant — which opened in 1989 — made 160,000 honda civics a year. this is bbc news. the latest headlines. more success for australia on day five of the olympics. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus wins her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle.

us health officials change course on face coverings, advising people to wear masks indoors again — even if they're been vaccinated. we've all heard of family businesses being passed down the generations. but what about when a child starts a business, then hires their own father? that's exactly what's happened with a digital agency called 3 heads, so we've been speaking to father and son to see how they make things work, for our ceo secrets series. one of the first things that we said, when we are at work you are going to have to call me roy. i don't want you to call me dad on a teams call. it's not professional enough.

at home he is dad. here he is right. i at home he is dad. here he is right. i have _ at home he is dad. here he is right. i have to _ at home he is dad. here he is right. i have to do — at home he is dad. here he is right. i have to do it. the thing is, i am ina— i have to do it. the thing is, i am in a sales— i have to do it. the thing is, i am in a sales pitch and i am saying dad, _ in a sales pitch and i am saying dad. no, — in a sales pitch and i am saying dad, no, dad. i have to respect roy as well _ as well. it - as well. it was a peculiar as wen. — it was a peculiar thing to as war. — it was a peculiar thing to begin with. it has become a little bit more human nature now, i suppose. just because they are family doesn't mean you can speak to them in any different way. you still speak to them like at work completely differently to how you would at home. you have to take that into account. i think i hadn't appreciated quite

how much clients light working with the family business. let's get some of the day's other news. tesco is offering lorry drivers a £1,000 joining bonus, amid a chronic shortage of drivers in the industry. the supermarket giant has deployed the recruitment incentive for candidates who join before 30 september. other companies are also understood to be offering similar incentives for hgv drivers after disruption to supply chains led to product shortages. morrisons' biggest shareholder says it is not inclined to support the £6.3 billion private equity—backed takeover deal for the supermarket chain. it comes after the grocer accepted a takeover bid by a us firm fortress investment group earlier this month. morrisons shareholders are due to vote on the offer on the 16th of august. flat pack is normally associated with furniture from a swedish store. but it's coming to the hotel construction industry.

habitas builds its hotel rooms in mexico, using 3d—printing technology, then flat—packs the basic structures of its rooms and ships them to other hotel locations. so could this disrupt the hotel industry? oliver ripley, is the ceo of habitas, a disruptive hospitality group which he co—founded in 2017. he told me the flat—packs are the structures of the rooms themselves. we manufacture it in our facility in mexico and put it into containers and ship them across the world. iloathed and ship them across the world. what im act and ship them across the world. what impact does — and ship them across the world. what impact does this _ and ship them across the world. what impact does this have _ and ship them across the world. what impact does this have on the speed with which you can build these hotels? , , , with which you can build these hotels? i, , , with which you can build these hotels? , , , , ., hotels? typically we can build four to five times _ hotels? typically we can build four to five times faster _ hotels? typically we can build four to five times faster than _ hotels? typically we can build four to five times faster than a - to five times faster than a traditional company because of our technology and because we are vertically integrated. ih technology and because we are vertically integrated.— technology and because we are vertically integrated. in terms of how that -- _ vertically integrated. in terms of how that -- what _ vertically integrated. in terms of how that -- what that _ vertically integrated. in terms of how that -- what that means i vertically integrated. in terms of how that -- what that means in | vertically integrated. in terms of i how that -- what that means in terms how that —— what that means in terms of how quickly you can build a hotel, how long? six. of how quickly you can build a hotel, how long?— of how quickly you can build a hotel, how long? six to 12 months. for example. _ hotel, how long? six to 12 months. for example. we — hotel, how long? six to 12 months. for example, we have _ hotel, how long? six to 12 months. for example, we have just - hotel, how long? six to 12 months. i for example, we have just completed for example, we havejust completed a hotel in saudi arabia in the

middle of a pandemic, and it took us 12 months. i5 middle of a pandemic, and it took us 12 months. , . ., , 12 months. is it particularly environmentally _ 12 months. is it particularly environmentally friendly i 12 months. is it particularly environmentally friendly to j 12 months. is it particularly i environmentally friendly to send that much weight of staff long distance around the world? we are very focused _ distance around the world? we are very focused on — distance around the world? we are very focused on sustainability. - distance around the world? we are very focused on sustainability. so i very focused on sustainability. so everything from the materials that we use, how we source those materials, supply chain, to the way we build as well. we are using renewable energy sources like solar, looking at water and waste management. we are using air condenses to create water. sustainability is very much to the forefront of what we do. if sustainability is very much to the forefront of what we do. if people were to visit _ forefront of what we do. if people were to visit these _ forefront of what we do. if people were to visit these hotels, - forefront of what we do. if people were to visit these hotels, would | were to visit these hotels, would they look, would they feel any different to a regular vacation spot? different to a regular vacation sot? , ., , spot? they would feel very luxurious. _ spot? they would feel very luxurious. but _ spot? they would feel very luxurious. but i _ spot? they would feel very luxurious. but i think - spot? they would feel very | luxurious. but i think luxury spot? they would feel very i luxurious. but i think luxury is changing in the world right now, especially with what is happening with shifting consciousness. i think luxury is no longer a marble

bathroom. it is the experience people are looking for. we can activate and build hotels in unique locations around the world where traditional developers would not be able to build. it is traditional developers would not be able to build-— able to build. it is an interesting time to be _ able to build. it is an interesting time to be in — able to build. it is an interesting time to be in the _ able to build. it is an interesting time to be in the travel- able to build. it is an interesting time to be in the travel and - able to build. it is an interesting time to be in the travel and the | time to be in the travel and the hotel industry given all the uncertainty around international travel. how much of an impact is that having on your business? we're seeinu a that having on your business? we're seeing a tremendous _ that having on your business? we're seeing a tremendous amount - that having on your business? we're seeing a tremendous amount of - that having on your business? ,, seeing a tremendous amount of demand for our properties in mexico. we call it revenge demand. in other places like in africa, for example, the movie, because of the south african variant, we have seen a huge impact. people want to travel. people want to get out.- impact. people want to travel. people want to get out. your hotel is particularly _ people want to get out. your hotel is particularly aimed _ people want to get out. your hotel is particularly aimed at _ is particularly aimed at millennials, 18 to 35—year—olds. how do they differ? i millennials, 18 to 35-year-olds. how do they differ?— do they differ? i think it's more about when _ do they differ? i think it's more about when a _ do they differ? i think it's more about when a millennial - do they differ? i think it's more about when a millennial travels} about when a millennial travels somewhere, it is more about the

experience rather than the hardware. a lot of it is based around programming. think about club med for our generation, programming and incredible food and music experiences, art, adventure, sports, wellness, those are the pillars we think about. that is eight for the moment if you are watching on bbc world news. don't go away though. i will have more on the bbc news channel. the british government has set out what it calls "transformative plans" to improve the lives of disabled people. the national disability strategy has cross department involvement, and aims to tackle issues such as a lack of accessible housing, access to education and the disability employment gap. but disability campaigners have criticised it for not going far enough. nikki fox reports. for disabled children like florence, getting the right support and funding from government and local

authority is crucial, especially when it comes to specialist education. this family had to spend £15,000 fighting to get the right school for their daughter. it felt so unfair- _ school for their daughter. it felt so unfair. it— school for their daughter. it felt so unfair. it felt _ school for their daughter. it felt so unfair. it felt so _ school for their daughter. it felt | so unfair. it felt so inappropriate to have to fight for something that should be a provision for all kids with special educational needs. 11—year—old florence is autistic, epileptic and has global development delay. irate epileptic and has global development dela . ~ ., ., ., , delay. we looked at what would be best for florence _ delay. we looked at what would be best for florence and _ delay. we looked at what would be best for florence and we _ delay. we looked at what would be best for florence and we came - delay. we looked at what would be best for florence and we came to l delay. we looked at what would be l best for florence and we came to the conclusion that a school with a specialist provision would be better suited for her. the specialist provision would be better suited for her.— suited for her. the family weren't ha - suited for her. the family weren't happy with _ suited for her. the family weren't happy with the — suited for her. the family weren't happy with the council— suited for her. the family weren't happy with the council because i suited for her. the family weren't| happy with the council because my first choice of school because they didn't believe it catered for people with more complex needs, like their daughter. 50 with more complex needs, like their dauahter. . ., ., ,, daughter. so we decided to take the council to tribunal— daughter. so we decided to take the council to tribunal to _ daughter. so we decided to take the council to tribunal to argue - daughter. so we decided to take the council to tribunal to argue our- council to tribunal to argue our case and we had to fund all of our own reports. that is a hugely expensive process. there are hundreds of families that are locked in battles with councils because it

seems the first port of call for a council is to say no and make parents fight for it. $5 council is to say no and make parents fight for it.— council is to say no and make parents fight for it. as part of the strate: , parents fight for it. as part of the strategy. the _ parents fight for it. as part of the strategy, the government - parents fight for it. as part of the i strategy, the government submitted the special educational needs are failing some disabled children and it is spending £300 million to improve it. and the plans across all departments, like housing. there is a commitment to increase the number of accessible homes. employment is mentioned. disabled people are far less likely to have a job, so they got my consulting on ways to make companies more transparent when it comes to declaring many disabled people day in employee. access to health care, learning disabilities and autism training will be offered to all staff. there are plans for more consultations and audits, including one around public transport. campaigners are frustrated by the promise of more reports and less action. i’m frustrated by the promise of more reports and less action.— reports and less action. i'm very disappointed- — reports and less action. i'm very disappointed. this _ reports and less action. i'm very disappointed. this is _ reports and less action. i'm very disappointed. this is a - reports and less action. i'm very disappointed. this is a missed i disappointed. this is a missed

opportunity. the prime minister promised — opportunity. the prime minister promised it would be the most ambitious and transformative disability plan in a generation. unfortunately, i think an awful lot of disabled people, 14 million of them, _ of disabled people, 14 million of them, are — of disabled people, 14 million of them, are going to see it as a broken — them, are going to see it as a broken promise. the them, are going to see it as a broken promise. them, are going to see it as a broken romise. , broken promise. the government says their lan broken promise. the government says their plan will— broken promise. the government says their plan will be _ broken promise. the government says their plan will be updated _ broken promise. the government says their plan will be updated every - their plan will be updated every year and their progress will be scrutinised. florence's family were eventually successful in their battle and she is now at a school which will enable her to be the best she can be. any plan to improved the lives of disabled people will of course be welcomed. but charities believe the strategy falls short as it doesn't deliver immediate drastic action so millions of people can finally start to see an end to being disabled by the many barriers in society. nikki fox, bbc news. the world health organisation has called for e—cigarettes to be regulated, warning they are harmful, and a gateway to tobacco consumption for young people. in its global tobacco report, the who addresses e—cigarettes for the first time, suggesting that their use risks undermining

the progress achieved by limiting traditional tobacco products. dr laura crotty alexander has been conducting research into the effects of e—cigarettes. she says the benefits of e—cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco are unclear. the bottom line is people have only used e—cigarettes for a number of years. and even though i have been conducting research in the area for eight years, the answer is still not known. the e—cigarettes do cause changes across the body, changes to your immune system, may even increase your susceptibility to developing covid—i9. so they are not harmless. but if you put them side by side with cigarettes in some situations it appears that they cause less emphysema. just before we go, a meteor has lit up the night sky in texas. it was captured by a home security

camera in the town of waxahachie. the american meteor society said the fireball travelled at a slow speed, which suggested it was a small piece of an asteroid. hundreds of eyewitnesses across texas, louisiana, arkansas and oklahoma spotted it as it fell to earth. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @ ben m boulos. time for a check on the weather. here is darren bett. good morning. there was lots of rain around yesterday across many parts of the country. some thunderstorms too. more rain in the forecast for today. for many it will be a case of sunshine but heavy, potentially thundery downpours, and a stronger wind. we have got low pressure in charge of the weather once again. it is not moving very far, very fast. where we have the central and low pressure in scotland, the wind is strong. more persistent rain stock

across this part of scotland. it is in this area we have a number rain warning from the met office. by the end of the day they could be as much as 90 millimetres of rain. that will cause travel disruption. that rain potentially thundery as well. elsewhere, some sunshine. showers coming in from the west. those will push their way east through today. they could be heavy, there could be thunder. some sunshine away from the showers. they are moving away quickly today because of the breeze. the breeze will be strongest across southern part of the uk. they could be gusting up to 40 mph on the english channel. because of the breeze it could feel cooler. only 18 to 20 degrees. wetter weather in northern parts of scotland. the rain continuing to mount up. it eases overnight. the showers further south in england and wales become fewer. more cloud and rain coming into northern ireland and a lot of cloud

in scotland. temperature wise double figures. not quite as warm as it was first thing this morning. let's look at the picture for thursday. the low pressure is starting to move away. it doesn't look quite as wet on thursday. there is another sneaky little low pressure system arriving in the south—west later. some rain to start within northern ireland will push its way south. and again for scotland. but it is a much drier day for northern scotland. some some patchy rain for northern england and wales. sometime i to the south of that. in the south—west, rain later on. a drier day on thursday. temperatures at 21 or 22 celsius, near normal for this temperatures at 21 or 22 celsius, near normalfor this time temperatures at 21 or 22 celsius, near normal for this time of the year. a few showers on friday. the weekend looks drier. some sunshine at times. it will not be that one. breeze from the north. goodbye.

this is bbc world news, our top stories... more success for australia on day five of the tokyo olympic games. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus wins her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle. meanwhile — britain's matt richards was part of the 200m freestyle relay team who won gold yesterday — we talk to his parents about what it's like to have an olympian in the family. still in lockdown — sydney and the surrounding area, remains under strict covid measures for at least another four weeks — as infection rates surge. british cabinet ministers will meet to discuss whether people travelling from the eu and the us to england, can avoid quarantine if they're fully vaccinated against covid—i9.

us health officials change course on face coverings — advising people to wear masks indoors again — even if they're been vaccinated. hello and welcome to bbc news. let's start with the olympics, and day 5 action is well underway in tokyo with medals events in the pool and on the water. australia's ariarne titmus picked up a second gold medal and an olympic record. our sports presenter, sarah mulkerrins, is in tokyo with the details. it was a very good wednesday morning for australia on day 5 of the olympics and we will start in the swimming pool

because ariarne titmus has got a second gold medal of these games, winning the 200 metres freestyle in an olympic record — a really good performance from the swimmer they call the terminator, such is her energy and enthusiasm and dominance in the pool. that, her second gold of the games. interestingly, katie ledecky, the us competitor finished fifth in that. then she had 1500 metres final where she is the dominant forces in and she swung her way to victory in to claim gold, that her six olympic gold medal. also the first time the 1500 metres was at the olympics for the women. there was also gold for the hosts with yui ohashi winning her second gold of the games, winning the 200 metres individual medley, and hungary's kristof milak won gold in the men's 200 metres butterfly.

and there was almost a world record for the 4x200 metres freestyle for the men for great britain. they romped home about three seconds clear of the russian olympic committee and australia to win that relay. there was also success for australia in the rowing. if we look the men's and women's boards there. they won both of those. the australian women. it was a really tight tussle with the dutch. they won it on the line with ireland claiming bronze in that. in the men's event but australia won that. however great britain has been a dominant forcing that event, they have won gold in every olympics since 2000, but they had a bit of a shocker, they steered the boat into the wrong lane, into the lane next to them with the italians. that was about 500 metres to go. so the australians were able to claim victory on that. so a great day for australia on day 5. in australia, it's been announced

that the strictest covid measures will remain in place in sydney and the surrounding area for another four weeks. they were first imposed a month ago. our correspondent shaimaa khalil joins me now from sydney. more restrictions for people living in the area. tell us what has been happening. it in the area. tell us what has been happening-— happening. it has been widely exected happening. it has been widely expected but _ happening. it has been widely expected but it _ happening. it has been widely expected but it does - happening. it has been widely expected but it does not - happening. it has been widely| expected but it does not make happening. it has been widely i expected but it does not make it less frustrating or disheartening really, this further extension by four weeks of the lockdown here in sydney and the surrounding areas are started as a two week lockdown at the end ofjune and extended to a five week lockdown and now we know it will be extended until about the end of august. with the trajectory of the cases, the upward trend, experts are saying it could go until september. what is really concerning is the number of places remains persistently high. new south wales has recorded about 177 cases committed a locally acquired, the highest number since the beginning of this outbreak. 46 of them were

infectious one active in the community. all in all sydney has recorded more than 2500 infections, the biggest number this year. that is really what is concerning people. many people i have spoken to just feel the restrictions here have not come early enough and they were not strict enough from the beginning and were not clear enough, as opposed to what we have seen in victoria, for example, or south australia, who had gone into lockdown and are out of it while sydney and the surrounding areas continue to look for the stay—at—home restrictions continuing for another four weeks at least stop it was interesting, the prime minister was speaking earlier today, celebrating of course australia's triumphs in the olympics, announcing government aid and funds for those families and people who have lost work because of the lockdown. he was

comparing that and saying that like our olympians going for gold, all australian should go and get vaccinated and get those vaccination numbers when they need to be, which is really interesting he made that comparison because he was famous for saying the vaccination roll—out was not a race. people of course are quite happy about australia's performance in the olympics. gold medals and performances have definitely lifted spirits. the delta variant and its transmissibility had put a dampener on that, at least in sydney and the surrounding areas. thank you. health officials in the us are urging people to resume wearing masks indoors in areas where the delta variant of coronavirus has sparked a rise in cases. the announcement reverses the advice issued two months ago. the centres for disease control says all teachers and students should wear masks indoors when schools re—open after the summer break, regardless of their vaccination status. president biden has again appealed to all americans to be vaccinated.

so why the u—turn? here's the bbc�*s north america correspondent peter bowes. this really reflects the growing concern of the federal government and the centre for disease control and prevention about the surge in the number of cases of coronavirus around the country, especially in certain state like florida, where there's been a real peaking of new infections in recent days and weeks. so the advice now, it is an advisory body, a government advisory body on health, infectious diseases, and it is saying that all americans, whether vaccinated or not should wear a mask indoors in a public setting. interestingly, i'm in los angeles and that rule was brought in here about ten days ago because this is indeed one of the areas where there has been a surge in the number of cases. as you said, president biden once again urging all americans, if they haven't already, to have the covid—i9 vaccine. the president also speaking just a short time ago at the white house said

that he is considering requiring all federal workers, government workers, to have the vaccination as well. some media outlets saying here that he will announce this on thursday, perhaps with the caveat they should either have the vaccination or at least have regular tests. federal workers are about 4 million around the country, they include postal workers, members of the military, immigration agents, people who work in the social security department. that would be a significant move. again reflecting the very serious concern that this isn't beaten, coronavirus is very much here and that surge in numbers is really concerning health officials. let's have a look at some of the main news in the uk: the head of public health england says the pandemic is "farfrom over" — despite the number of coronavirus cases falling for a seventh day in a row.

professor yvonne doyle said rates remain high and the uk is still in a third wave. 131 deaths were reported yesterday, which is the highest number since march. british cabinet ministers will meet today to discuss the rules on international travel — and in particular on visitors from the us and the european union arriving in the uk. with more on that, i'm joined by our chief political correspondent adam fleming from westminster. what are we expecting today? we will have a meeting of senior ministers from the british government who will look at this issue of plan you exempt travellers from the eu and us from the quarantine restrictions in the uk if they have fully vaccinated? ministers seem quite keen on this idea and it is looking quite likely this would go ahead, it isjust a question quite likely this would go ahead, it is just a question of when is the decision made and when is it implemented, along with some of the logistical issues like how to recognise vaccine certificate from

other countries, particularly like the us which does not have a nationwide vaccine certificate system? this is notjust a case of throwing the borders open. arrivals from the eu and the united states will still have to have a negative test result 72 hours before they arrive in uk and they will still have to carry out a series of tests when they are in the uk. this will be very much welcomed by the tourism industry in the uk, which is crying out for more arrivals abroad. less clear is whether all these countries will reciprocate and let british people turn up in them. remember when president biden was in the uk for the g7 summit earlier in the summer with a great fanfare, he and borisjohnson announced they summer with a great fanfare, he and boris johnson announced they would have a task. we establish transatlantic travel. earlier this week the white house said british people would still be barred from entry into the united states. thank ou ve entry into the united states. thank you very much _ entry into the united states. thank you very much indeed. _

great britain's men secured another gold in the olympic pool with a dominant victory in the 200m freestyle relay in tokyo. the team including 200m champion tom dean, silver medallist duncan scott, james guy and matthew richards came within 3 hundredths of a second of the world record. 18—year—old matt richards from worcester swam a stunning third leg of the race, winning gold in his first olympics. and we can nowjoin matt's proud parents, simon and amanda richards. huge congratulations to both of you. how did it feel?— how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk— how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk in _ how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk in yet _ how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk in yet and - how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk in yet and it - how did it feel? amazing. surreal. it has not sunk in yet and it has . it has not sunk in yet and it has been a while really. just incredible. 50 pleased for him and the team. incredible. so pleased for him and the team. ~ ., incredible. so pleased for him and the team. ~ . ., , incredible. so pleased for him and the team. ~ . ., ~ incredible. so pleased for him and the team. ~ . ,, ., . the team. what was it like watching their team win _ the team. what was it like watching their team win and _ the team. what was it like watching their team win and celebrate - the team. what was it like watching their team win and celebrate in - the team. what was it like watching their team win and celebrate in that way? it their team win and celebrate in that wa ? ., , their team win and celebrate in that wa ? . , ., , their team win and celebrate in that wa ? ., , ., , ., , their team win and celebrate in that wa? , way? it was lovely. it was a culmination _ way? it was lovely. it was a culmination of _ way? it was lovely. it was a culmination of lots - way? it was lovely. it was a culmination of lots of - way? it was lovely. it was a culmination of lots of years| way? it was lovely. it was a i culmination of lots of years of incredibly hard work from all of them _ incredibly hard work from all of them and — incredibly hard work from all of them and a really difficult 18

months _ them and a really difficult 18 months for everybody, for all of us. very emotional. emotional and a difficult i8 very emotional. emotional and a difficult 18 months. incredible, the story of how matt managed to keep going in terms of swimming practice during lockdown. something involving a bungeejump during lockdown. something involving a bungee jump forward during lockdown. something involving a bungeejump forward and a paddling pool a bungee 'ump forward and a paddling ool. , a bungee 'ump forward and a paddling ool, , ., , a bungee 'ump forward and a paddling ool. , ., , ., a bungee 'ump forward and a paddling ool. , ., , . ~' ., pool. yes. last year, when lockdown ha ened, pool. yes. last year, when lockdown happened. we _ pool. yes. last year, when lockdown happened, we managed _ pool. yes. last year, when lockdown happened, we managed to _ pool. yes. last year, when lockdown happened, we managed to find - pool. yes. last year, when lockdown happened, we managed to find a - happened, we managed to find a glorified — happened, we managed to find a glorified paddling pool. it is technically called an overground pool. _ technically called an overground pool. five — technically called an overground pool, five metres long, three metres wide by— pool, five metres long, three metres wide byiust— pool, five metres long, three metres wide byjust over a metre deep, attached — wide byjust over a metre deep, attached a — wide byjust over a metre deep, attached a bungee cord to the garage wall in— attached a bungee cord to the garage wall in the _ attached a bungee cord to the garage wall in the garden and put 15,000 titres— wall in the garden and put 15,000 litres of— wall in the garden and put 15,000 litres of water into it and he listening _ litres of water into it and he listening hours and hours each day. in the _ listening hours and hours each day. in the freezing cold. he is levitated when he went in. he went in and came out rather rapidly. elizabeth other challenge. his arms are so long. not long after we first

started, one of the bungee rope snapped and hit him in the back. this small puppy he was drowning every time he went into the pool. this is a very cute dog. he every time he went into the pool. this is a very cute dog.— every time he went into the pool. this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts, this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts. barking _ this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts, barking his _ this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts, barking his head _ this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts, barking his head up— this is a very cute dog. he would be nuts, barking his head up if- this is a very cute dog. he would bej nuts, barking his head up if because —— head off because he thought matt was drowning. not the easiest training conditions.— was drowning. not the easiest training conditions. what has matt sethi about what _ training conditions. what has matt sethi about what it _ training conditions. what has matt sethi about what it is _ training conditions. what has matt sethi about what it is like - training conditions. what has matt sethi about what it is like in - training conditions. what has matt sethi about what it is like in japan | sethi about what it is like injapan right now? == sethi about what it is like in japan riaht now? , sethi about what it is like in japan ri . ht now? , ,., sethi about what it is like in japan riaht now? , ., right now? -- is said to you. he said the japanese _ right now? -- is said to you. he said the japanese people, - right now? -- is said to you. he said the japanese people, the i right now? -- is said to you. he i said the japanese people, the ioc, has put _ said the japanese people, the ioc, has put together a fantastic habitat against _ has put together a fantastic habitat against me in terms of how well—organised it has been and how well—organised it has been and how well they— well—organised it has been and how well they had been looked after. —— a fantastic— well they had been looked after. —— a fantastic games. it has been really— a fantastic games. it has been really well put together. it was hu . el really well put together. it was hugely impressed _

really well put together. it was hugely impressed with - really well put together. it was hugely impressed with the - really well put together. it was - hugely impressed with the bootable. he was most excited about saying the food was unbelievable. —— with the food was unbelievable. —— with the food hall. 18 food was unbelievable. -- with the food hall. 'j~ . . , , . ., food hall. 18 and an olympic gold medallist. have _ food hall. 18 and an olympic gold medallist. have you _ food hall. 18 and an olympic gold medallist. have you allow - food hall. 18 and an olympic gold medallist. have you allow that i food hall. 18 and an olympic gold medallist. have you allow that to sink in? ., ., ., ,, ., sink in? no. that will take a while et. it is sink in? no. that will take a while yet. it is other _ sink in? no. that will take a while yet. it is other worldly. _ sink in? no. that will take a while yet. it is other worldly. never- sink in? no. that will take a while l yet. it is other worldly. never when ou first yet. it is other worldly. never when you first start _ yet. it is other worldly. never when you first start taking _ yet. it is other worldly. never when you first start taking your— yet. it is other worldly. never when you first start taking your children | you first start taking your children to swimming lessons or a local club, imagine for a second. the olympics is a long way to go. who knows? you never think when they are small they will actually do that. mad is very determined and said from a young age he would do it. when matt says he will do something and he does it. i will do something and he does it. i am so happy for you. you must be so proud of him. congratulations to both of you. proud of him. congratulations to both of you-— stay with us on bbc news,

still to come: we'll have more from the tokyo 2020 olympics, as the day 5 events continue. the world health organization has called for e—cigarettes to be regulated, warning they are harmful, and a gateway to tobacco consumption for young people. in its global tobacco report, the who addresses e—cigarettes for the first time, suggesting that their use risks undermining the progress achieved by limiting traditional tobacco products. dr laura crotty alexander has been conducting research into the effects of e—cigarettes. she says the benefits of e—cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco are unclear. the bottom line is, people have only used e—cigarettes for a number of years. even though i have been conducting research in the area for eight years, the answer is still not known. e—cigarettes do cause changes across the body, changes to your immune system currently even increase

susceptibility to developing covid—i9. so they are not harmless but if you put them side by side with cigarettes, in some situations, it appears that they cause less emphysema. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines... more success for australia on day 5 of the olympics. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus wins her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle. us health officials change course on face coverings — advising people to wear masks indoors again — even if they're been vaccinated. a series of fires are threatening parts of greece, with strong winds making matters worse. north of athens, flames swept through a pine forest. it's unclear what caused it, but reports of arson are being investigated — with concerns climate change is worsening similar fires and other extreme weather events across europe,

as mark lobel reports. a familiar sight at this time of year in europe, but is it getting worse? tackling forest fires from the skies around athens, the question being asked on the ground is what climate change may be doing to exacerbate the problem. as homes are destroyed and residents evacuated, temperatures are set to rise even further this week after an already tough start. translation: this was a very - difficult fire which moved from area to area with the wind and, as a result, spread extremely quickly with multiple fronts erupting. in northern italy, hailstorms causing extensive damage, with flash flooding and landslides damaging homes. sardinia is still reeling from forest fires, forcing

hundreds to evacuate, with a state of emergency declared there. it's hoped rain will help rescue spain from catalonia's worst wildfires in two years. turkey is also wading in as a major disaster area is declared after weeks of flooding and landslides in its north—eastern coastal region. translation: just the damaged j furniture, shops and cars amount to millions, and that's not including broken infrastructure and all the recovery work still needed. elsewhere in europe, that recovery work is already under way. in belgium, after the trauma of historic floods, three quarters of annual household waste dumped in just two days, as the death toll continues to rise. while in germany, where bridges once lay, an impromptu ferry

service after their floods. in london, a major city brought to its knees by the flash flooding. all a prescient warning with just a dozen days to go until the latest science on climate change is published, expected to be a clarion call to world leaders to act, with time no longer on their side as the changing climate closes in on our planet. mark lobel, bbc news. it is almost —— it's almost a year since the devastating blast in beirut and lebanon is in the grips of one of the world's worst economic crises in more than a century. medicine, electricity and fuel

are scarce and it's estimated that more than half the poplualation can no longer afford enough food. jean mackenzie sent us this special report. lebanon is suffering from a collapse of epic portions. food, fuel and medicine are all scarce. as the currency plunges, people have been left with nothing. just imagine moving into a refugee camp in your own country. that is how desperate things have become for some lebanese familes. this man moved here after losing his job as a taxi driver. at petrol stations, people queue for hours, desperate to secure the little fuel

that is left as the country endures power cuts that can last more than 24 hours. this, just another sign of lebanon's economic catastrophe, which has seen the country lose 90% of its value against the dollar. —— the currency lose 90% of its value against the dollar. at the country's main public hospital, they're missing vital life—saving medicines. look how much magnesium i have! this is another one. this is sodium fluoride. i have problems. is this the lowest you have ever had your stocks go? yes. last week, a woman came, she was pregnant and had pre—eclampsia, hypertension in pregnancy and she lost her baby because we do not have magnesium.

a year on from the deadly explosion in beirut, the city is still in tatters and the country is without a government. bickering politicians are unable to agree on a new cabinet, leaving the country to freefall. frustration spills onto the streets. these flare—ups happen every few weeks. we heard there some live ammunition. they show how volatile the situation is. they show how angry people are. they show the instability that people in lebanon are having to live with. they have had no economic and financial strategy for this country for decades. for decades! they have been systemically and structurally leading us to this point.

why are people not out here again in their masses on the streets? the lebanese people are not well, we need to understand this. we do not feel well. for years, lebanon has been on the brink of collapse. no more. its day has come. as it enters another night of darkness, many fear it has far further to fall. jean mackenzie, bbc news, beirut. police officers and staff from across the uk who have died while protecting the public will be commemorated in a permanent memorial to be unveiled at the uk's national memorial arboretum later. the memorial cost £4.5 million, and took seven years to raise.

we can now speak to sir hugh orde, who's chairman of uk police memorial and is at the national memorial arboretum in staffordshire in the uk. why does a memorial like this matter? it why does a memorial like this matter? . , , ., matter? it matters hugely to their families, friends _ matter? it matters hugely to their families, friends and _ matter? it matters hugely to their families, friends and colleagues i matter? it matters hugely to their| families, friends and colleagues of officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting balanced citizens. the main aim has into digest that. we have created a beautiful statue, a beautiful monument that recognises the dangerous places into which police officers tread. it is a slightly open door. it recognises that everyday officers are going into dangerous bases with one intent to protect fellow citizens, and sadly they do not return sometimes. in a they do not return sometimes. in a small detail — they do not return sometimes. in a small detail about _ they do not return sometimes. in a small detail about the design and how it was created. == small detail about the design and how it was created.— small detail about the design and how it was created. -- give us more detail. how it was created. -- give us more detail- we — how it was created. -- give us more detail. we consulted _ how it was created. -- give us more detail. we consulted very _ how it was created. -- give us more detail. we consulted very widely - detail. we consulted very widely within the service and importantly within the service and importantly

with families of those who died on duty. what the architects came up with was the brilliant and simple idea that officers walk towards danger and often go into a space where they do not know what will happen to them, what is behind the door, what is in the dangerous area, that then space. still they walk forward as others walk away. as a result of that and the bravery protecting other people, they die on duty during the duty. the broader concept is to create a gentle, quiet space where families can come and hold ceremonies with fellow officers to commemorate those who had died. it is a tough time for uk policing. policing has always been challenging. i spent many years as a chief officer. police officers are only really as good as their last five minutes work. their actions

will be looked at for days, weeks, months and years going forward. they still take risks and do their best. sometimes things go wrong and we learn from those mistakes. generally the 130,000 men and women in the police service go about their daily job with one sole intent, to keep people safe. job with one sole intent, to keep people safe-— people safe. briefly, if you can what has the _ people safe. briefly, if you can what has the reaction - people safe. briefly, if you can what has the reaction been - people safe. briefly, if you can what has the reaction been to| people safe. briefly, if you can i what has the reaction been to the memorial so far? what have people been saying?— been saying? what is so reassuring and pleasing _ been saying? what is so reassuring and pleasing to _ been saying? what is so reassuring and pleasing to the _ been saying? what is so reassuring and pleasing to the trustees - been saying? what is so reassuring and pleasing to the trustees and i and pleasing to the trustees and those engaged in raising money, the feedback from families has been simply fantastic. many say when they turn up for the first time a full silent and understand the gaps in the door that reflect absence, they understand the shadows sat full on the ground, almost looking like teardrops and they understand the dangerous space where loved ones did not come back. we are delighted with the feedback. everyone has been

really pleased with what has been achieved. ., ~ really pleased with what has been achieved. ., ,, , ., ,., really pleased with what has been achieved. ., ,, , ., . really pleased with what has been achieved. ., ,, . ., achieved. thank you so much for your time. that achieved. thank you so much for your time- that is — achieved. thank you so much for your time. that is it _ achieved. thank you so much for your time. that is it from _ achieved. thank you so much for your time. that is it from me. _ achieved. thank you so much for your time. that is it from me. stay - achieved. thank you so much for your time. that is it from me. stay with i time. that is it from me. stay with us on bbc news. goodbye. good morning. lots of rain around yesterday and understands as well. more rain in the forecast today. in many areas it will the case of sunshine with potentially thundery downpours and a stronger wind as well. no pressure in charge of the weather once again, not needing very far very fast. more persistent rain just stuck across this part of scotland. it is in this area we have an amber weather warning for rain. there could be up to 90 millimetres of rain, leading to flooding and travel disruption. that rain is potentially thundery. showers coming

in from the west which will push their way eastwards through the day. they could be heavy with some thunder. sunshine away from the showers. they are moving on quicker, particularly in the breeze. that will be stronger in southern parts of the uk. because of the breeze it will feel cooler. temperatures will be lower than yesterday. only 18 to 20 degrees. we still have the wetter weather in the north of scotland with the rain mounting up. the rain well is offered at the shows we have further south in england and wales become era. more rain coming into northern ireland and ploughed in scotland. temperature wise double figures, perhaps not as warm as it was first thing. let's have a look at the picture on thursday. the centre of the low pressure is starting to me the way. not quite as wet on thursday. another sneaky low

pressure system arriving from the south—west later in the day. a lot of cloud for northern ireland and again. and. much drier in the north of scotland. some patchy rain for england and the north of wales. in the south—west we will find rain later on. a drier day on thursday. in the sunshine we will find temperatures up to 21, 22 great new normal for the time of year. the weekend does look drier with sunshine at times. it will not be that one because the breeze is coming down from the north. goodbye. —— that warm.

this is bbc news.

the headlines. there's been more success for australia on day five of the 2020 olympic games in tokyo. at the aquatics centre, ariarne titmus of australia has won her second gold medal, in the women's 200 metres swimming freestyle. senior british cabinet ministers are due to meet, to discuss whether people travelling from the european union and the united states to england, can avoid quarantine, if they're fully vaccinated against covid—i9. us health officials have changed their advice on wearing masks. vaccinated people are now being advised to wear them indoors, in places where infections are high. the announcement reverses the advice issued two months ago. the world health organisation has issued a warning about the addictive dangers of e—cigarettes for young people. they're asking governments to introduce greater restrictions, as they suggest vaping risks undermining the progress achieved by limiting traditional tobacco products. indonesia has become the epicentre

of asia's covid crisis. the country is reporting tens of thousands of new infections daily, and more than a thousand people are dying every day. that's putting a strain on hospitals, and on those who bury the dead. bbc indonesia's valdya baraputri has been following the funeral workers. a joint effort — firefighters and police now called to deal with the bodies of those who are dying at home. many having been turned away from hospitals which were already full. we can't show you the proceeding inside the house, it obviously won't be fair to the victim or the family. currently the team is tending to the body. they covered them in a shroud, and most of the time, they are removing the clothing that's already on the victim's body for their safety. after that, they put the body inside the coffin and even pray for the victim according to their religion.

in this house, the virus claimed two lives within a week and infected the entire family. translation: the grandmother died at the hospital. later that day, the test results showed that the grandfather also had the virus. they didn't go to hospital because the whole house was positive with covid, so they tried to get better in self isolation. the highly infectious delta variant means the number of cases here is soaring. this covid—i9 response team is used to handling two or three bodies a day, now they are getting calls about more than 50, but only managing to help move a dozen or so. a local crowdsourcing site has been gathering data since the start of the pandemic and says that nationwide, there have been more than 2,700 deaths at home since the beginning ofjune. the president has extended the partial lockdown forjava, the most densely populated of indonesia's islands and bali.

but people are being allowed to eat outside restaurants and food stalls for a maximum of 20 minutes. translation: as we know, the trend shows there has been an improvement in getting covid—i9 under control. the case rate, hospital bed occupancy and positivity rate show a decline as shown in several provinces in java. two days before that announcement, indonesia hit a daily record of more than 1,500 dead. the government has designated at least seven covid—i9 cemeteries in jakarta alone. this one quickly filled up. as you can see behind me, the excavator that digs new graves and the excavator that closes the other graves over there are working simultaneously. the ambulances that carry the bodies keep coming one after the other.

the workers here could bury more than 200 bodies in a day. indonesia is reporting the world's highest absolute number of new covid—i9 cases. this, along with low rates of vaccination, limited testing and the surge in cases of the delta variant, means teams like this will continue to work around the clock. police in england have released a shocking video showing the moment a lorry driver crashed into another vehicle whilst using a mobile phone. 59—year—old derek holland has been jailed for more than three years after the crash last year that left three people badly injured. an onboard camera shows that over a period of four hours he repeatedly reached for his mobile phone and even steered with his elbows. this report by matt graveling opens with footage you may find upsetting. the worst case of prolonged

distracted driving they have ever seen. the damning words of sussex police after derek holland drove his lorry straight into the back of the security van. the crash in august that left three people seriously hurt. one suffered a brain injury. two more have been unable to work since. but this devastation could have occurred at a number of points in holland's drive. his on—board camera revealed 41 other incidents of poor driving. camera revealed 41 other incidents of poor driving-— of poor driving. most of those incidents involved _ of poor driving. most of those incidents involved in - of poor driving. most of those incidents involved in utilising| of poor driving. most of those i incidents involved in utilising his mobile phone on his windscreen, his personal phone, nothing to do with work. there were occasions when he used his elbow to guide the steering wheel as he is eating a piece of fruit. and really, the footage is quite shocking. the fruit. and really, the footage is quite shocking.— fruit. and really, the footage is quite shocking. the aa want more olicin: quite shocking. the aa want more policing cars _ quite shocking. the aa want more policing cars and _ quite shocking. the aa want more policing cars and greater - quite shocking. the aa want more| policing cars and greater education in a bid to make texting as socially

unacceptable as drink—driving, with the consequences being just as deadly. in 2016, thomas croker crashed his lorry while changing the music on his phone. he killed a mother and three young children. j mother and three young children. i think it is far too common. unfortunately, every day we are supporting people who have been bereaved or suffered life changing injuries _ bereaved or suffered life changing injuries off the back of dangerous or reckless driving. i think people don't _ or reckless driving. i think people don't realise looking at your phone you are _ don't realise looking at your phone you are just— don't realise looking at your phone you are just as distracted, whether it is hands—free or hand—held, you are just _ it is hands—free or hand—held, you are just as— it is hands—free or hand—held, you are just as distracted as being over the drink—drive limit. the the drink-drive limit. the consequences, _ the drink-drive limit. the consequences, as - the drink-drive limit. the consequences, as have i the drink—drive limit. tue: consequences, as have been seen, the drink—drive limit. tue consequences, as have been seen, are devastating. the impact of driving while you are distracted, including the use of a mobile phone, is dangerous. the use of a mobile phone, is dangerous-— the use of a mobile phone, is dangerous. the use of a mobile phone, is dancerous. , ~ :, :, :,, , dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to _ dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three _ dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three and _ dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three and a _ dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three and a half- dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three and a half years| sentenced to three and a half years in prison and disqualified from driving for 57 months. renewable energy could play a crucial role in the uk's attempt to reach net zero.

wind is providing more and more of our electricity, but what about energy from our waters? experts say that we need to use all forms of electricity generation if that target is to be reached and are calling for government support to help the tidal industry develop commercially. it comes as what's being described as the most powerful tidal turbine device in the world has connected to the grid in orkney. lorna gordon has been to take a look. in the fast flowing waters of orkney, a new title device is being connected to the grid. —— tidal. lying low on the surface of the water. ~ :. lying low on the surface of the water. ~ :, , , . water. we are in spring tide which is when the _ water. we are in spring tide which is when the water _ water. we are in spring tide which is when the water moves - water. we are in spring tide which is when the water moves at i water. we are in spring tide which is when the water moves at its i is when the water moves at its fastest rate. igate is when the water moves at its fastest rate.— is when the water moves at its fastest rate. we were given rare access on _ fastest rate. we were given rare access on board. _ fastest rate. we were given rare access on board. we _ fastest rate. we were given rare access on board. we think i fastest rate. we were given rare access on board. we think this i fastest rate. we were given rare| access on board. we think this is fastest rate. we were given rare i access on board. we think this is a name access on board. we think this is a game changer _ access on board. we think this is a game changer for _ access on board. we think this is a game changer for the _ access on board. we think this is a game changer for the tidal - access on board. we think this is a game changer for the tidal sector. | game changer for the tidal sector. we have these turbines. it is the most powerful turbine in the world.

we can recover that to surface to get access to maintenance. we can raise them, repair them and lower them all within a tide. the raise them, repair them and lower them all within a tide.— them all within a tide. the tides here are among _ them all within a tide. the tides here are among some _ them all within a tide. the tides here are among some of - them all within a tide. the tides here are among some of the i them all within a tide. the tides i here are among some of the most powerful in the world. water flowing so fast around the 02, it gives the illusion the devices moving, cutting through the water, even though it is tethered to anchors on the sea bed. the attraction of tidal power is that it the attraction of tidal power is thatitis the attraction of tidal power is that it is a completely predictable form of renewable energy, and this powerful current is turning the blades on two turbines on this device, generating enough electricity to power up to 2000 homes. th electricity to power up to 2000 homes. , :. electricity to power up to 2000 homes. , :, :, ~ homes. in the year of cop 26, endorsing _ homes. in the year of cop 26, endorsing and _ homes. in the year of cop 26, endorsing and supporting i homes. in the year of cop 26, endorsing and supporting a i endorsing and supporting a pioneering, innovative technology space _ pioneering, innovative technology space like — pioneering, innovative technology space like tidal stream, is kind of standing — space like tidal stream, is kind of standing for what needs to happen. tidal stream is able to complement the uk's _ tidal stream is able to complement the uk's transition to net—zero.

tidal— the uk's transition to net—zero. tidal is — the uk's transition to net—zero. tidal is still expensive compared to other renewables like wind. experts say government support would help to bring costs down and enable the industry to develop commercially. t industry to develop commercially. i think all of these industries in the early phases need government support in one form or another. the industry finance needs to know there are guaranteed prizes as it commercialises. when you look at wind, that is the path that was followed with wind. we need the same path followed with tide to make it work. and yes, we need all of these different energy sources going forward. , :, different energy sources going forward. , forward. the uk government says it has a lona forward. the uk government says it has a long history _ forward. the uk government says it has a long history of _ forward. the uk government says it has a long history of supporting i forward. the uk government says it has a long history of supporting the | has a long history of supporting the development of wave and tidal stream technologies. the tidal industry would like more. driving further change in these islands and beyond. laura gordon, bbc news, orkney. and britney spears has officially asked for her father to be replaced as her conservator — 13 years after he assumed control of her life and finances because of concerns over

the popstar�*s mental health. the star's new lawyer petitioned the court on monday and asked for accountantjason rubin, who has experience managing complex trusts and financial exploitation — to be named conservator of spears' estate. public support for the star has surged after her emotional court testimony last month, in which she described the conservatorship as abusive, said she had been drugged, forced to perform against her will and prevented from having children. stay with us on bbc news. coming up next, world business report. after more than 30 years and 3 million vehicles, the car—maker honda's factory in the english town of swindon is going to be shut down. it once exported to more than 70

countries but is now moving manufacturing to china and america, with 3500 jobs going in the process. honda's huge factory on the edge of swindon, a former raf base. but from next week, honda will also be history here. and for more than 3000 workers, the closure was something they didn't see coming. t workers, the closure was something they didn't see coming.— they didn't see coming. i thought i was auoin they didn't see coming. i thought i was going to _ they didn't see coming. i thought i was going to work _ they didn't see coming. i thought i was going to work year _ they didn't see coming. i thought i was going to work year for - they didn't see coming. i thought i was going to work year for the i they didn't see coming. i thought i | was going to work year for the rest of my life. i liked working in honda. when they announced that we were on apprenticeship. it was like my world had collapsed. we didn't know what was happening. jim my world had collapsed. we didn't know what was happening. jim has now found a newiob — know what was happening. jim has now found a newjob but _ know what was happening. jim has now found a newjob but the _ know what was happening. jim has now found a newjob but the honda - found a newjob but the honda closure is causing huge concern. there is not an awful lot of employment out there it is. marlene's husband made cars, and her daughter's husband too. it is the end of an era for this family. how did you feel when you heard it was going to go?— going to go? terrified, really. it is something —

going to go? terrified, really. it is something that _ going to go? terrified, really. it is something that has _ going to go? terrified, really. it is something that has been i going to go? terrified, really. it| is something that has been there going to go? terrified, really. it i is something that has been there so long _ is something that has been there so long i_ is something that has been there so long i was — is something that has been there so long. i was quite shocked, yeah. one ofthe long. i was quite shocked, yeah. one of the largest — long. i was quite shocked, yeah. que: of the largest employers in a town where everybody knows someone who makes cars. mr; where everybody knows someone who makes cars. g , :, :, where everybody knows someone who makes cars-— makes cars. my brother-in-law works there. he makes cars. my brother-in-law works there- he has— makes cars. my brother-in-law works there. he has been _ makes cars. my brother-in-law works there. he has been made _ makes cars. my brother-in-law works there. he has been made redundant. | makes cars. my brother-in-law works| there. he has been made redundant. i just feel it's a bit is.— just feel it's a bit is. swindon used to be — just feel it's a bit is. swindon used to be a _ just feel it's a bit is. swindon used to be a good _ just feel it's a bit is. swindon used to be a good place. i just feel it's a bit is. swindonj used to be a good place. you just feel it's a bit is. swindon i used to be a good place. you could -et used to be a good place. you could get a _ used to be a good place. you could get a job— used to be a good place. you could get a job in— used to be a good place. you could get a job in swindon anywhere at one time _ get a job in swindon anywhere at one time we _ get a job in swindon anywhere at one time. we have to scraped the bar a little _ time. we have to scraped the bar a little bit _ time. we have to scraped the bar a little bit to— time. we have to scraped the bar a little bit to get jobs.— little bit to get 'obs. there are 'obs in little bit to get 'obs. there are jobs in the — little bit to get jobs. there are jobs in the area _ little bit to get jobs. there are jobs in the area but _ little bit to get jobs. there are jobs in the area but when i little bit to get jobs. there are jobs in the area but when you | little bit to get jobs. there are i jobs in the area but when you have a look at them, even when you look at factory —type work, they are paying half of what the guys would be paid on the production line in honda. industry transformed swindon from a small market town to a manufacturing giant. first railways, then cars. honda's closure leaves a proud industrial town wondering what, if anything, comes next. andrew plant, bbc news.

massive profits for big tech. apple, microsoft and google rake in a combined $5 billion a week, fuelled by the pandemic. profits over people? corporate sponsors of the beijing olympics face backlash from us lawmakers. welcome to world business report. i'm ben boulos. in a minute we will have more on that grilling

that the likes of coca—cola and visa faced on tuesday. but first, the tech giants apple, google and microsoft, have all smashed analyst expectations, in updates they have given after the hell on wall street. apple's profits nearly doubled to $21.7 billion in the three months to 30 june, as customers bought pricier 5g iphones. google's parent company, alphabet, also reported on tuesday that quarterly sales and profits had surged to record highs. its video platform youtube saw advertising revenuejump to $7 billion in the quarter. and microsoft saw a $16.5 billion profit at the same time, due to huge demand for its cloud services and games.

richard hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, joins me now. richard, i suppose expectations were high already for tech companies given how much we have come to rely on technology, the hardware, the devices and so on, during the pandemic. but there even be those expectations, as high as they were? you are absolutely right. what normally happens leading into quarterly results is the company —— company companies manage down their expectations. in terms of this particular quarter, particularly against the corresponding quarter in 2020, expectations were extremely high end companies allow those expectations to stay high. that being said, just about all of the three tech companies reported yesterday did smash expectations. of course, there was a slight concern over whether this was peak earnings this particular quarter, and how

much of our changing technology habits are here to stay given the slow return to normality. richard, s-ueakin slow return to normality. richard, speaking of _ slow return to normality. richard, speaking of technology, _ slow return to normality. richard, speaking of technology, can i slow return to normality. richard, speaking of technology, can you i slow return to normality. richard, | speaking of technology, can you do us a favour? your microphone is rubbing on your shirt. can you move it a little? we keep hearing about the microchip shortage. it must be really frustrating for tech companies that see this increase in demand for their products and yet they can't get the parts that are so vital to make them, or at least it is harder and more expensive? yes. is harder and more expensive? yes, ou are is harder and more expensive? yes, you are right- _ is harder and more expensive? yes, you are right. and _ is harder and more expensive? yes, you are right. and of— is harder and more expensive? ues you are right. and of course that has had an impact on the tech companies in the states such as intel, which are microchip makers. that being said, of course, what we have seen from sales of apple phones in the last quarter, that seems to be less of an impact. from a global point of view in terms of supply and demand, demand is coming back very strongly indeed. just for the moment

supply isn't necessarily able to keep up. we have seen some concerns around supply chains, some concerns around supply chains, some concerns around the prices of raw materials, which has a slight inflationary impact. even so, the likes of apple... impact. even so, the likes of apple- - -_ impact. even so, the likes of ale... : :, , :, apple... and the other side of the businesses _ apple... and the other side of the businesses that _ apple... and the other side of the businesses that seem _ apple... and the other side of the businesses that seem to - apple... and the other side of the businesses that seem to be i apple... and the other side of the businesses that seem to be doing | businesses that seem to be doing well are the ones that rely on the demand for cloud services. a lot of workplaces have really come to not just embrace them, but rely on with people working from home. that really benefited the likes of microsoft?— really benefited the likes of microsoft? , : ~ : microsoft? very much so. microsoft is re microsoft? very much so. microsoft is pretty much _ microsoft? very much so. microsoft is pretty much re-energised - microsoft? very much so. microsoft is pretty much re-energised and i is pretty much re—energised and redefined. it is starting to reap the rewards with the cloud or business. not only because people are working from home, but also, of course, with members of staff being dotted around the country, things

like cyber security and the general robustness of those systems, is extremely important. and the likes of microsoft really are reaping the rewards. : :, ., ~ of microsoft really are reaping the rewards. : :, :, ~' , :, , rewards. ok, richard, thank you very much. rewards. ok, richard, thank you very much- richard _ rewards. ok, richard, thank you very much. richard hunter— rewards. ok, richard, thank you very much. richard hunter from _ much. richard hunter from interactive much. richard hunterfrom interactive investor. to the us now, where lawmakers have been grilling corporate sponsors of the 2022 beijing winter olympics. the likes of coca—cola, visa, intel and airbnb have been accused of putting profits ahead of accusations of genocide in china. corporate giants have been asked if the games should be relocated or postponed due to concerns over human rights violations. our asia business reporter katie silver explains. this was part every congressional hearing that looks at human rights in china. to define this exchange is fiery would be something of an understatement. there were pushing for these big companies to take their sponsorship out of beijing.

one lawmaker, for instance, said staying behind was like helping beijing to reap the rewards in prestige and propaganda. and even said it would be akin to staying and supporting hitler in the 1936 berlin olympics. this is because the us asserts that there is genocide occurring in a region of china. human rights experts say we are seeing 1 million uighur muslims incarcerated in forced labour in the area. beijing denies there is genocide occurring. instead what is happening are vocational training sessions. :, :, , sessions. how have the companies responded? _ sessions. how have the companies responded? well, _ sessions. how have the companies responded? well, when _ sessions. how have the companies responded? well, when asked i sessions. how have the companies responded? well, when asked if. sessions. how have the companies. responded? well, when asked if the limbic, for example, _ responded? well, when asked if the limbic, for example, should - responded? well, when asked if the limbic, for example, should be i responded? well, when asked if the i limbic, for example, should be moved or delayed, there was very little comment. the companies said they had very little influence over this. these are said it doesn't have a specific opinion over whether or not they should occur and it is not a decisive responses to make. airbnb

was criticised for adhering to local laws and practices that lawmakers in the us say simply ban uighur muslims from living in their properties. despite this, it did very little to appease lawmakers. one, for example, was particularly fiery. that was republican tom cotton. he has been a very strong critic of china. he said for instance about this, and i will read you the quote, that it was the most pathetic, disgraceful hearing he had participated in, in his eight years in congress.— we've all heard of family businesses being passed down through the generations. but what about when a child starts a business, then hires their own father? that's exactly what's happened with a digital agency called 3 heads. we've been speaking to father and son to see how they make things work, for our ceo secrets series.

one of the first things we said was, when you are at work you are going to have to call me roy. don't call me dad. it is not professional enough. at home 80s dad. back here is roy. if i am in a sales pitch and i am saying dad, or i have got my staff here, they see it. i have to respect him and see him as roy as well. it was a really peculiar thing to

begin— it was a really peculiar thing to begin with. it has become more human nature _ begin with. it has become more human nature now. _ begin with. it has become more human nature now. i_ begin with. it has become more human nature now, i suppose. just begin with. it has become more human nature now, i suppose.— nature now, i suppose. just because the are nature now, i suppose. just because they are family — nature now, i suppose. just because they are family doesn't _ nature now, i suppose. just because they are family doesn't mean - nature now, i suppose. just because they are family doesn't mean you i nature now, i suppose. just because| they are family doesn't mean you can speak to them in any different way. you spill speak to them at work differently to how you would at home. you have to take this into account. i think i hadn't appreciated quite how much— i think i hadn't appreciated quite how much clients liked working with family— how much clients liked working with family business. some of the other business stories. barbie dolls are about to get more expensive. the toymaker mattel said that it has to raise prices of its toys in the run—up to christmas, as the company faces higher costs. it's due to rising raw materials costs and shipping, as the global economy recovers from the pandemic. the announcement came as mattel announced better than expected sales of more than $1 billion. senior uk cabinet ministers are to discuss allowing fully vaccinated travellers from the eu and us to avoid quarantine when they arrive in england. sources said the isolation exemption was likely to be discussed

at the covid operations meeting on wednesday. starbucks has reported its earnings for the quarter with sales up 73% year—on—year as customers flocked back to stores after staying awake during the height of the pandemic. the coffee chain has also been putting its digital business. it's rewards programme grew by half and it's ready to drink range has done well. however, the company lowered its forecast to china this year, its second—largest market, which saw shares drop in extended trading. the uk economy will grow faster than expected this year as it recovers from the covid pandemic, according to the latest forecast from the international monetary fund. they now predict the uk economy will grow by 7 percent in 2021. however the picture was much bleaker for developing countries, with imf warning of slower growth due to a limited vaccine roll—out.

don't forget you can reach me and the team here on social media. for now, that is world business report. thank you for watching. i will see you very soon. bye—bye. good morning. there was lots of rain around yesterday across many parts of the country. some thunderstorms too. more rain in the forecast for today. for many it will be a case of sunshine but heavy, potentially thundery downpours, and a stronger wind. we have got low pressure in charge of the weather once again. it is not moving very far, very fast. where we have the central and low pressure in scotland, the winds not as strong. more persistent rain stuck across this part of scotland.

it is in this area we have an amber rain warning from the met office. by the end of the day they could be as much as 90 millimetres of rain. that will cause travel disruption. that rain potentially thundery as well. elsewhere, some sunshine. showers coming in from the west. those will push their way east through today. they could be heavy, there could be thunder. some sunshine away from the showers. they are moving away quickly today because of the breeze. the breeze will be strongest across southern part of the uk. they could be gusting up to 40 mph on the english channel. because of the breeze, it will feel cooler, only 18 to 20 degrees. wetter weather in northern parts of scotland. the rain continuing to mount up. it eases overnight. the showers further south in england and wales become fewer. more cloud and rain coming into northern ireland and a lot of cloud in scotland. temperature—wise, double figures. not quite as warm as it was first thing this morning. let's look at the picture for thursday. the low pressure is

starting to move away. it doesn't look quite as wet on thursday. there is another sneaky little low pressure system arriving in the south—west later. some rain to start within northern ireland will push its way south. and again for scotland. but it is a much drier day for northern scotland. some some patchy rain for northern england and wales. sunshine for northern england and wales. to the south. in the south—west, rain later on. for northern england and wales. a drier day on thursday. for northern england and wales. temperatures at 21 or 22 celsius, near normal for this time of the year. a few showers on friday. the weekend looks drier. some sunshine at times. but it's not going to be that one because the breeze is coming down from the north. goodbye.

this is bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the globe. i'm maryam moshiri. our top stories... gymnastics superstar simone biles withdraws from another olympic event — the final individual all—round gymnastics competition, due to concerns over her mental health. and swimming success for team gb, with gold in the pool for britain in the 200 metre freestyle relay. great britain's first gold in the event since 1908. still in lockdown — sydney and the surrounding area, remains under strict covid measures for at least another four weeks, as infection rates surge. here in the uk, british cabinet ministers will meet to discuss whether people travelling from the eu

and the us to england, can avoid quarantine, if they're fully vaccinated against covid—19. us health officials change course on face coverings, advising people to wear masks indoors again, even if they've been vaccinated. and advice for electric car owners in the uk on recharging batteries in order to avoid blackouts. hello and welcome. let's start with the olympics, and in the last half hour it's been announced that the american gymnast, simone biles, has pulled out of another gymnastics event. she's withdrawn from the all—around competition, in which she's the defending champion. on tuesday, she pulled out of the team event, saying she needed to focus on her mental health.

simone has yet to decide whether to compete in other individual events in tokyo. we'll have more on that in a moment with my colleages at the bbc sports centre. but first let's just take a look at what has been happening on day 5 and action is well underway in tokyo. there's been more glory in the swimming pool for team gb. they took gold in the men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay. australia's ariarne titmus picked up a second gold medal and an olympic record. our sports presenter, sarah mulkerrins, is in tokyo with the details. it was a very good wednesday morning for australia on day 5 of the olympics and we will start in the swimming pool because ariarne titmus has got a second gold medal of these games, winning the 200 metres freestyle in an olympic record — a really good performance from the swimmer they call the terminator, such is her energy and enthusiasm and dominance in the pool. that, her second gold of the games.

interestingly, katie ledecky, the us competitor finished fifth in that. then she had 1500 metres final where she is the dominant forces then she had the 1500 metres final where she is the dominant force in that and she swum her way to victory in to claim that her sixth olympic gold medal. also the first time the 1500 metres was at the olympics for the women. there was also gold for the hosts with yui ohashi winning her second gold of the games, winning the 200 metres individual medley, and hungary's kristof milak won gold in the men's 200 metres butterfly. and there was almost a world record for the 4x200 metres freestyle for the men for great britain. they romped home about three seconds clear of the russian olympic committee and australia to win that relay. there was also success for australia in the rowing. if we look the men's and women's boards there.

—— if we look at the men's and women's fours there. they won both of those. the australian women. it was a really tight tussle with the dutch. they won it on the line with ireland claiming bronze in that. in the men's event but australia won that. however great britain has been a dominant forcing that event, they have won gold in every olympics since 2000, but they had a bit of a shocker, they steered the boat into the wrong lane, into the lane next to them with the italians. that was about 500 metres to go. so the australians were able to claim victory on that. so a great day for australia on day 5. let's cross to the bbc sport centre and speak to chethan parthak, who's been following all the overnight olympic action. some breaking news on simone biles. she is pulling out of another event in the olympics. tell us what we know. ,, , , in the olympics. tell us what we know. ,, ,, , :, know. she is stuck this stands from what we saw _ know. she is stuck this stands from what we saw in _ know. she is stuck this stands from what we saw in the _ know. she is stuck this stands from what we saw in the women's - know. she is stuck this stands from what we saw in the women's team | what we saw in the women's team finalist and 24—hour to ago where

simone biles, mid—competition, withdrew from that. she had voted in the final, not to her usual standard. she had bolted in qualification as well. we saw her leaving the gym briefly with her coach. when she came back she put on her tracksuit and chose not to take any further part. she stood by her team—mates with the silver medal for team—mates with the silver medal for team us. afterward she said she wanted to prioritise mental wellness and withdrew from that. when she left the arena she said she was not sure about whether she would compete in the all—around event final on thursday and now we have had confirmation that she will not be taking part in that. we have had a statement from usa gymnastics in the past hour, saying after further medical evaluation simone biles has withdrawn from the all—around individual competition in order to

focus on mental health. they say she will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week's individual event final she is through to all the individual finals. at the moment this will be assessed a to day. there were so much support for simone biles following her decision yesterday. we talk about physical health in sport and that is not a to be. in mental health terms, you do not hear about it as much. she put it front and centre that it had to look on twitter at the arena sports stars coming out in support of her. there is no bigger star at the olympics man simone biles. she was hoping to accomplish yet more history. —— band simone biles but she has added a silver medal to her tally. every time she competes, she is expected to win. she has talked about the

challenges of that pressure in the past. at the moment, mentally, he does not feel in the right place to put her body and how life on the line, which is what you do as a gymnast. it is interesting it 24—hour is ago we were talking about naomi osaka. i know she lost in the tennis. she is one of the faces of the tokyo games. she was very honest in saying the pressure got to her. there is so much expectation these athletes and simone bart is putting her mental health first.— athletes and simone bart is putting her mental health first. some great news for the _ her mental health first. some great news for the uk _ her mental health first. some great news for the uk swimming - her mental health first. some great news for the uk swimming team i her mental health first. some great news for the uk swimming team as | news for the uk swimming team as well. —— simone biles. news for the uk swimming team as well. -- simone biles.— well. -- simone biles. what when this was for— well. -- simone biles. what when this was for team _ well. -- simone biles. what when this was for team gb! _ well. -- simone biles. what when this was for team gb! what i well. -- simone biles. what when this was for team gb! what a i this was for team gb! what a swimming event this has been so far stop breaking more records. the vr in the four by 200 metres relay stop —— dad they are. duncan scott silver

was part of the gold winning team along with matt richards. they were sensational finishing along with matt richards. they were sensationalfinishing over along with matt richards. they were sensational finishing over three seconds ahead of the russian olympic committee with australia in third. dean is the first british swimmer to win as many golds in 113 years. when we think about the us domination we have seen in the pool and australia, a huge win for great britain. 50 pleasing for duncan scott, who narrowly missed out on gold yesterday. here he is now himself an olympic gold winning champion. amazing stuff. thank you very much indeed. in australia, it's been announced that the strictest covid measures will remain in place in sydney and the surrounding area

for another four weeks. they were first imposed a month ago. it has been widely expected but it does not make it less frustrating or disheartening, the further extension by four weeks of the lockdown in sydney and surrounding areas. it started as a two week lockdown at the end ofjune and extended to a five—week lockdown. we know it will be extended until about the end of august. with the trajectory of the cases, the upward trend experts are saying it could go until september. what is really concerning is the number of cases remains persistently high. new south wales has recorded about 177 cases today locally acquired, the highest number since the beginning of the outbreak. 46 of them were infectious while active in them were infectious while active in the community. all in all sydney has recorded more than 2500 infections, the biggest number this year. that

is really what is concerning people. many of the people i have spoken to feel the restrictions here haven't come early enough and they were not strict enough from the beginning and were not clear enough, as opposed to what we have seen in victoria, for example, or south australia, which have gone into lockdown and now out of it while sydney and the surrounding areas continue to look for the stay—at—home restrictions continuing for another four weeks at least. it was interesting, the prime minister was speaking earlier today, celebrating australia's triumphs in the olympics, announcing government aid and funds for those families and people who have lost work because of the lockdown. he was comparing that and saying that, like other olympians going for gold, all australian should go and get vaccinated and get those vaccination numbers where they need to be, which

is really interesting that he made that comparison because he was famous for saying that the vaccination roll—out was not a race. people of course are quite happy about australia's performance in the olympic, the gold medals have definitely lifted spirits. the variant has put a damper on spirits. health officials in the us are urging people to resume wearing masks indoors in areas where the delta variant of coronavirus has sparked a rise in cases. the announcement reverses the advice issued two months ago. the centres for disease control says all teachers and students should wear masks indoors when schools re—open after the summer break, regardless of their vaccination status. president biden has again appealed to all americans to be vaccinated. so why the u—turn? here's the bbc�*s north america correspondent peter bowes. this really reflects the growing

concern of the federal government and the centre for disease control and prevention about the surge in the number of cases of coronavirus around the country, especially in certain state like florida, where there's been a real peaking of new infections in recent days and weeks. so the advice now, it is an advisory body, a government advisory body on health, infectious diseases, and it is saying that all americans, whether vaccinated or not should wear a mask indoors in a public setting. interestingly, i'm in los angeles and that rule was brought in here about ten days ago because this is indeed one of the areas where there has been a surge in the number of cases. as you said, president biden once again urging all americans, if they haven't already, to have the covid—19 vaccine. the president also speaking just a short time ago at the white house said that he is considering requiring all federal workers, government workers, to have the vaccination as well.

some media outlets saying here that he will announce this on thursday, perhaps with the caveat they should either have the vaccination or at least have regular tests. federal workers are about 4 million around the country, they include postal workers, members of the military, immigration agents, people who work in the social security department. that would be a significant move. again reflecting the very serious concern that this isn't beaten, coronavirus is very much here and that surge in numbers is really concerning health officials. let's have a look at some of the main news in the uk: the head of public health england says the pandemic is "farfrom over" — despite the number of coronavirus cases falling for a seventh day in a row. professor yvonne doyle said rates remain high and the uk is still in a third wave. 131 deaths were reported yesterday, which is the highest number since march. british cabinet ministers will meet today to discuss the rules on international travel and,

in particular, on visitors from the us and the european union arriving in the uk. our chief political correspondent adam fleming has more from westminster. this meeting of senior ministers from the british government, they are going to look at this issue of, can you exempt travellers from the eu and us from the quarantine restrictions in the uk if they have been fully vaccinated? ministers seem quite keen on this idea and it is looking quite likely this will go ahead. it is just a question of, when is the decision made and when is it then implemented as long as some of the logistical issues, had he recognise faxing certificates from other countries, particularly the us which does not have a nationwide vaccine certificate system ? officials are also stressing this is notjust a case of throwing the borders open, arrivals from the eu and the united states will still have to have a negative test result 72 hours before

they arrive in the uk and they will still have to carry out a series of tests when they are in the uk. i think this will be very much welcomed by the tourism industry here in the uk, who are crying out for more arrivals from abroad. less clear is whether all these countries will reciprocate and let british people turn up in them because remember when president biden was in the uk for the g7 summit earlier in the summer with great fanfare, he and borisjohnson, the british prime minister, announced they would have a task force to re—establish transatlantic travel. earlier this week, the white house said british people would still be barred from entry to the united states. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we take a look at extreme weather events in europe — as wildfires threaten parts of greece and strong winds fan the flames through the countryside north of athens. the world health organization has called for e—cigarettes to be

regulated, warning they are harmful, and a gateway to tobacco consumption for young people. in its global tobacco report, the who addresses e—cigarettes for the first time, suggesting that their use risks undermining the progress achieved by limiting traditional tobacco products. dr laura crotty alexander has been conducting research into the effects of e—cigarettes. she says the benefits of e—cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco are unclear. the bottom line is, people have only used e—cigarettes for a number of years. even though i have been conducting research in the area for eight years, the answer is still not known. e—cigarettes do cause changes across the body, changes to your immune system — may even increase susceptibility to developing covid—19. so they are not harmless but if you put them side by side with cigarettes, in some situations, it appears that they cause less emphysema.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines... gymnastics superstar simone biles withdraws from another olympic event — the final individual all—round gymnastics competition — due to concerns over her mental health. here in the uk — cabinet ministers will meet to discuss whether people travelling from the eu and the us to england, can avoid quarantine — if they're fully vaccinated against covid—19. dozens of former senior military commanders, including four former chiefs of the defence staff, have written to borisjohnson, calling on the government to allow more afghan interpreters to settle in the uk. they say too many of those who worked with british forces have had their applications rejected and that if any are murdered by the taliban "the dishonour would lie squarely at our nation's feet". the ministry of defence says it's already helped more

than 2,000 afghan staff to come to the uk. this translator, whose identity we're not disclosing, has been turned down for relocation four times and fears retribution from the taliban. the taliban do not care for anything. theyjust know who worked with the british and who not. anybody who worked with the british, they will kill them. now i am worried about my family and my uncertain future about what will happen. i know! uncertain future about what will happen. i know i will see my wife and daughter get shot. south africa's vaccination rate has increased significantly in recent weeks and has been largely driven by younger people who are keen to show others that vaccines work and are safe. but with just under 4% of the population vaccinated, the country still has a long way to go before it reaches

its target of 67% by february of next year. the bbc�*s vumani mkhize has more. right through this door, please. they are coming in their numbers. these are the more than 6 million south africans, who have received at least one shot of a covid—19 vaccine. i'll be vaccinating you today. teams of nurses are stationed at various booths inside this johannesburg vaccination site. people are relieved to finally get their jabs. i just want to live my life and enjoy life, hence i came for vaccination. really much relief to have got my shot. south africa's vaccination roll—out is finally gaining momentum after a slow start. sites like this are administering shots to around 250,000 people a day. the government plans to inoculate 67% of the population by february of next year. the increase in vaccinations has been helped by greater collaboration between the public and private health care sectors and plans are in place to ramp up inoculations.

the uk at its peak was vaccinating at about 400,000 vaccinations a day. so when you compare south africa to the uk, we can get to similar trajectories to what the uk was vaccinating at. south africans between the ages of 18 and 34 will be allowed to get vaccinated for covid—19 from 1st september. the current uptake is largely driven by younger people, who are eager to get inoculated. one of those is this newsreader, who cannot wait to get his jab once his age group is allowed to be vaccinated. all my friends who are in their late 20s, 30s and 40s, want to get vaccinated, they have signed up. when you speak to the older people here at work, one lady said to me, "i am not going to get vaccinated because i do not know anyone who has been vaccinated and lived to tell the tale." hopefully when they see us younger ones coming back from being vaccinated and being healthy, that will encourage more of them to line up. health experts caution although there is momentum, it does come a little too late.

just because vaccination numbers are high right now doesn't mean it will stay like that forever. what we are experiencing right now, hopefully i am wrong, is a honeymoon period in that there is a group in society which is keen to be vaccinated and those are the onese rushing forward to be vaccinated. there is a large percentage of other people that should be vaccinated that are not coming forward. for many young people, they are just relieved there is a honeymoon stage at all. the government hopes the current uptake will continue to gain momentum and for people to spread the word about the benefits of being inoculated. vumani mkhize, bbc news, johannesburg. let's get some of the day's other news. an armed robber has stolen jewellery worth more than $2 million from one of the oldest jewellery houses in paris. the man entered the chaumet store — close to the champs—elysees —

late on tuesday, brandishing a handgun. no shots were fired. he then escaped on a scooter. joeyjordison, the founding drummer of the american heavy metal band slipknot, has died at the age of 46. he left the group in 20—13, later revealing he had a nerve disease that had affected his ability to play. his family said he died peacefully in his sleep apple, microsoft and google's parent company, alphabet, have reported sharp increases in sales and profits. the three tech giants have thrived during the pandemic, as lockdowns pushed people to use their services. a series of fires are threatening parts of greece, with strong winds making matters worse. north of athens, flames swept through a pine forest. it's unclear what caused it, but reports of arson are being investigated — with concerns climate change is worsening similar fires and other extreme weather events across europe, as mark lobel reports.

a familiar sight at this time of year in europe, but is it getting worse? tackling forest fires from the skies around athens, the question being asked on the ground is what climate change may be doing to exacerbate the problem. as homes are destroyed and residents evacuated, temperatures are set to rise even further this week after an already tough start. translation: this was a very difficult fire which moved i from area to area with the wind and, as a result, spread extremely quickly with multiple fronts erupting. in northern italy, hailstorms causing extensive damage, with flash flooding and landslides damaging homes. sardinia is still reeling from forest fires, forcing hundreds to evacuate, with a state of emergency

declared there. it's hoped rain will help rescue spain from catalonia's worst wildfires in two years. turkey is also wading in as a major disaster area is declared after weeks of flooding and landslides in its north—eastern coastal region. translation: just the damaged furniture, shops and cars - amount to millions, and that's not including broken infrastructure and all the recovery work still needed. elsewhere in europe, that recovery work is already under way. in belgium, after the trauma of historic floods, three quarters of annual household waste dumped in just two days, as the death toll continues to rise. while in germany, where bridges once lay, an impromptu ferry service after their floods.

in london, a major city brought to its knees by the flash flooding. all a prescient warning with just a dozen days to go until the latest science on climate change is published, expected to be a clarion call to world leaders to act, with time no longer on their side as the changing climate closes in on our planet. mark lobel, bbc news. plenty more on that all the stories he had been watching on bbc news on the website, as always. in a few minutes we will have all the news and latest board, including the breaking news on gymnastics superstar simone biles not participating in another olympic event.

you can reach me on twitter — i'm @ bbcmaryam. do stay with us on bbc news. goodbye. hello. good morning. lots of rain around yesterday across many parts of the country. thunderstorms as well. more rain in the forecast. for many areas it will be the case of sunshine with heavy and thundery downpours and a strong wind as well. low pressure in charge of the weather once again, it is not moving far and fast. the winds will not be as strong in scotland. more persistent rain stuck across this part of scotland. in this area we have an amber rain warning from the met office. by the end of the data could be as much as 90 millimetres of rain, leading to flooding and travel disruption. fora of rain, leading to flooding and travel disruption. for a while the rain will not be heavy but

potentially and re—as well. elsewhere there will be sunshine and wish coming in from the west already. the thunderstorms and heavy showers could follow. the breeze will be strongest across southern parts of the uk, gas up to a0 miles an hour in the english channel coastal areas. an hour in the english channel coastalareas. because an hour in the english channel coastal areas. because of the breeze, it will feel cooler, only around 18 to 20 this afternoon. still better weather in northern parts of scotland. the rain continuing to mount up, which will ease off overnight. the showers will become fewer with more rain coming in across northern ireland and a lot of cloud in scotland. temperatures into double figures, not as warm as first thing this morning. let's have a look at the picture on thursday. the centre of the low pressure is starting to move away. not as wet on

thursday. some rain to start with in northern ireland which will push its way south. cloud in northern ireland and scotland. a much drier day for the north of scotland with patchy rain in the north of england and the north of wales. we will find when later on. the drier day on thursday. in the sunshine we will find temperatures up to 21, 22, near normalfor temperatures up to 21, 22, near normal for the temperatures up to 21, 22, near normalfor the time of temperatures up to 21, 22, near normal for the time of year. a few showers around on friday. the can do is look try sunshine at times, not that one because the breeze is coming down from the north.

this is bbc news.

the headlines. gymnastics superstar simone biles has withdrawn from another olympic event — the individual all—round gymnastics competition — saying she needs to focus on her mental health. it's a day after she pulled out of the team event. and swimming success for team gb too, with gold in the pool for britain in the 200 metre freestyle relay. it's great britain's first gold in the event since 1908. senior british cabinet ministers are due to meet to discuss whether people travelling from the european union and the united states to england can avoid quarantine, if they're fully vaccinated against covid—19. us health officials have changed their advice on wearing masks. vaccinated people are now being advised to wear them indoors, in places where infections are high. the announcement reverses the advice issued two months ago. let's get more on day five

of the tokyo olympics, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan pathak. good morning. we'll bring you the news of another historic gold for team gb in just a moment, but first to the breaking news in the last hour that american gymnast simone biles has withdrawn from the final individual all—round competition. she has said in a statement that she wants to focus on her mental health. usa gymnastics have put out a statement saying they wholeheartedly support her decision and applaud her bravery in prioritising her well—being. her courage shows yet again why she is a role model for so many. she says after medical evaluation she has withdrawn to focus on her mental health. a decision will be made going forwards about whether she competes the individual finals that she has also

qualified for. this is one they will be keeping their eye on, on a day—to—day basis. for now, simone biles focusing on her mental health. earlier today we had success for team gb in the swimming pool. tom dean isa team gb in the swimming pool. tom dean is a double olympic champion after success in the freestyle relay. joe lynskey reports. to see how much it meant, just look atjames guy, who to see how much it meant, just look at james guy, who watched in tears as the race went on. great britain were so far ahead, olympic champions by more than three seconds. this freestyle relay is there a third swimming gold, the most gb have won since 1908. ., ., , ., since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain _ since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain had _ since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain had of— since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain had of the _ since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain had of the one - since 1908. here we go, team great britain. britain had of the one and i britain. britain had of the one and two from the _ britain. britain had of the one and two from the individual _ britain. britain had of the one and two from the individual race. - britain. britain had of the one and two from the individual race. tom | two from the individual race. tom dean, the champion, setting off from the start. but it was an 18—year—old who got them in front. arlen; who got them in front. very impressive _ who got them in front. very impressive for _ who got them in front. very impressive for a _ who got them in front. very impressive for a matt - who got them in front. very - impressive for a matt richards, starting to swim away. look at his

feet. a starting to swim away. look at his feet. ~ . . . , starting to swim away. look at his feet. . ., , ., ., feet. matt richards trained through lockdown in a _ feet. matt richards trained through lockdown in a paddling _ feet. matt richards trained through lockdown in a paddling pool - feet. matt richards trained through lockdown in a paddling pool with i feet. matt richards trained through lockdown in a paddling pool with al lockdown in a paddling pool with a bungee rope. he handed to duncan scott with the teeming control. scott with the teeming control. scott came second in the individual race, but now finally good touch for gold. race, but now finally good touch for old. , , ., ,., race, but now finally good touch for old. , , ., ., gold. this is wonderful. gold to great britain. _ gold. this is wonderful. gold to great britain. it's _ gold. this is wonderful. gold to great britain. it's really - gold. this is wonderful. gold to great britain. it's really special| great britain. it's really special with those _ great britain. it's really special with those boys. _ great britain. it's really special with those boys. martin - great britain. it's really special with those boys. martin third l great britain. it's really special. with those boys. martin third was great britain. it's really special- with those boys. martin third was so composee — with those boys. martin third was so composed. the boys up front did their_ composed. the boys up front did their race — composed. the boys up front did their race plan really well. the way their race plan really well. the way the last year— their race plan really well. the way the last year has _ their race plan really well. the way the last year has been, _ their race plan really well. the way the last year has been, and - their race plan really well. the way the last year has been, and as - their race plan really well. the way the last year has been, and as a i the last year has been, and as a kid, two olympic gold medals is my absolute dream. to do it finally after 25 years is pretty emotional. but with these four lads here we have the best freestylers in the world. it's amazing to be olympic champions. a dream come true. you are the best- — champions. a dream come true. you are the best. there _ champions. a dream come true. you are the best. there were _ champions. a dream come true. you are the best. there were 300 - are the best. there were 300 hundredths — are the best. there were 300 hundredths of _ are the best. there were 300 hundredths of a _ are the best. there were 300 hundredths of a second - are the best. there were 300 hundredths of a second off i are the best. there were 300| hundredths of a second off the are the best. there were 300 - hundredths of a second off the world record. forjames guy, it didn't matter. his two medals in rio or were silver. he has spent a lifetime

in the pool for moments like this. for british swimming it means so much. three golds make tokyo their greatest modern games. joe lynskey, bbc news. so another night to rememberfor great britain's men in the pool — and there's been success in the rowing as well. the team have won their first men's quadruple sculls medal after winning silver. harry leask, angus groom, tom barras and jack beaumont held off a late charge from australia and poland to secure second place behind the netherlands. good news too for helen glover in her attempt for a third olympic medal. she, and partner polly swann, finished second in their coxless pair semi final — to qualify for the final tomorrow morning. but it wasn't all good news for great britain today. the men's four were in second before veering off course and nearly crashing in their final dropping back to fourth place. they couldn't recover, and so for the first time since 1996, gb fail to win gold in this event.

and there will be no third gold medal for andy murray at the olympics — he and joe salisbury are out of the men's doubles after losing their quarter—finals match against croatia. they won the first set fairly confortably, taking it 6—a. but lost the second, and then lost the third set tie break 10—7 against marin cilic and ivan dodig. one british player left — that's liam broady and he's on court right now in the men's singles. you can continue to follow all of that on the bbc sports website. that is all from me. thank you. police in england have released a shocking video, showing the moment a lorry driver crashed into another vehicle whilst using a mobile phone. 59—year—old derek holland has been jailed for more than three years after the crash last year that left three people badly injured.

an onboard camera shows that over a period of four hours he repeatedly reached for his mobile phone, and even steered with his elbows. this report by matt graveling opens with footage you may find upsetting. the worst case of prolonged distracted driving they had ever seen. the damning words of sussex police after derek holland drove his lorry straight into the back of the security van. the crash in august that left three people seriously hurt. one suffered a brain injury. two more have been unable to work since. but this devastation could have occurred at a number of points in holland's drive. his on—board camera revealed a1 other incidents of poor driving. most of those incidents involved in utilising his mobile phone on his windscreen, his personal phone, nothing to do with work. there were occasions when he put his seat

belt on while driving, and used his elbow to guide the steering wheel as he is eating a piece of fruit. and really, the footage is quite shocking. the aa want more police in cars and greater education in a bid to make texting as socially unacceptable as drink—driving, with the consequences being just as deadly. in 2016, thomas croker crashed his lorry while changing the music on his phone. he killed a mother and three young children. i think it is far too common. unfortunately, every day at roadpeace we are supporting people who have been bereaved or suffered life changing injuries off the back of dangerous or reckless driving. i think people don't realise looking at your phone you are just as distracted, whether it is hands—free or hand—held, you are just as distracted as being over the drink—drive limit. the consequences, as have been seen, are devastating. the impact of driving while you are distracted,

including the use of a mobile phone, is dangerous. derek holland has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison and disqualified from driving for 57 months. matt graveling, bbc news. police officers and staff from across the uk who have died while protecting the public, will be commemorated in a permanent memorial to be unveiled at the uk's national memorial arboretum later. the memorial cost £a.5 million, which took seven years to raise. we can now speak to phil mackie, who's at the national memorial arboretum. this took a long time to build, to raise money for. it must be very important to police officers around the country? filth. important to police officers around the country?— the country? oh, absolutely. and 'ust, the country? oh, absolutely. and just. even — the country? oh, absolutely. and just. even this — the country? oh, absolutely. and just, even this early, _ the country? oh, absolutely. and just, even this early, i _ the country? oh, absolutely. and just, even this early, i rememberj just, even this early, i remember the dedication ceremony is not until lunchtime, i have seen hundreds of police officers and former police officers here, because it is about

officers here, because it is about of the police family. there is the memorial itself. it is supposed to represent a giant doorway slightly ajar. it represents crossing the threshold into the danger, which ultimately can cost police officers their lives. the readings today will be by members... a serving police officer, a pcso, a retired officer. we will also have spouses, parents and children of police personnel who have lost their lives. it is not just those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, but any serving officer who died whilst still a member of the force. in the 200 years or so since the first recognisable uk police force was founded, more than a000 people have lost their lives. about 1500, roughly a third of those in the line of duty, as a victim of some kind of violence. �* ., _, , . violence. and of course policing in the uk very _ violence. and of course policing in the uk very much _ violence. and of course policing in the uk very much in _ violence. and of course policing in

the uk very much in focus - violence. and of course policing in the uk very much in focus now - violence. and of course policing in the uk very much in focus now as| the uk very much in focus now as well? , , �* ~ the uk very much in focus now as well? , , ~ ~ 1, , well? yes, it is. and i think boris johnson, well? yes, it is. and i think boris johnson. the _ well? yes, it is. and i think boris johnson, the prime _ well? yes, it is. and i think boris johnson, the prime minister, - well? yes, it is. and i think boris johnson, the prime minister, has said this morning that he thinks this is a very good thing. prince charles will lead the dignitaries today. also, we will have police cadets all the way up to chief constables. it represents the whole of the force. there is a lot of talk about the future and how things will go with policing. today they are focusing on the people who have lost their lives. it is a moment to come together. the police family, not just officers, but those people who have lost relatives who are police personnel are at the time. they will commemorate them today. you may be aware there is already a police memorial dedicated in 2005. the money for that was raised by sir michael winner in central london. but this is a place of national remembrance. it is the national memorial arboretum. remembrance. it is the national memorialarboretum. it was remembrance. it is the national memorial arboretum. it was felt they needed to build a police memorial here too. i have spoken to relatives

who lost loved ones, who have come here already to have a look around. they say the difference between that and this is that it is a place where they can have a little bit more peaceful reflection away from the hustle and bustle of central london. also, it is more centrally located, so people travelling from all over the country, there is a central location they can come to to remember those people who have lost their lives. . ~' , ., , remember those people who have lost their lives. ., ~ , ., , . their lives. thank you very much. phil mikev- _ sir hugh orde, who's chairman of uk police memorial, told me about the significance of the unveiling. i think it matters hugely to the families and the friends and the colleagues of officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting fellow citizens. that is the main thrust of this memorial. the main aim has been to dojust that. this memorial. the main aim has been to do just that. we have created a beautiful statue, a beautiful monument, that recognises the dangerous places into which police officers tried. it is a slightly

open door. it recognises that every day officers are going into those dangerous spaces with one intent, to protect fellow citizens. sadly sometimes they don't return. tell us in more detail— sometimes they don't return. tell us in more detail about _ sometimes they don't return. tell us in more detail about the _ sometimes they don't return. tell us in more detail about the design - sometimes they don't return. tell us in more detail about the design and l in more detail about the design and how it was created?— in more detail about the design and how it was created? well, we took a lona time how it was created? well, we took a longtime and _ how it was created? well, we took a long time and thought _ how it was created? well, we took a long time and thought very - how it was created? well, we took a long time and thought very carefullyj long time and thought very carefully and we consulted very widely within the service and importantly, with the service and importantly, with the families of those who have died on duty. and what the architects came up with was this brilliant and simple idea that officers walk towards danger, often into a space where they don't know what is going to happen, what is behind that door, what is in that dangerous area, what we call these —— thin space. yet still they walk forward while others walk away. as a result of that and often, sadly, their bravery protecting other people, they die on duty doing their duty. the broader concept is to create a space, a

gentle, quiet space, where families can come and reflect, where they can hold ceremonies with colleagues to remember those officers who died as they did their duty. bud remember those officers who died as they did their duty.— they did their duty. and of course this comes _ they did their duty. and of course this comes during _ they did their duty. and of course this comes during what _ they did their duty. and of course this comes during what is - they did their duty. and of course this comes during what is a - they did their duty. and of course this comes during what is a tough time for uk policing?— this comes during what is a tough time for uk policing? yes, it does. police has -- _ time for uk policing? yes, it does. police has -- policing _ time for uk policing? yes, it does. police has -- policing as _ time for uk policing? yes, it does. police has -- policing as i - time for uk policing? yes, it does. police has -- policing as i was - time for uk policing? yes, it does. | police has -- policing as i was been police has —— policing as i was been challenging. i spent many years as a police officer. police officers are only as good as their last five minutes work. the actions they take will be looked at for days, weeks, months and years, yet still they go forward. they still take risks, they still do their best. sometimes things do go wrong. we understand that we learn from those mistakes. but generally, the 130,000 men and women of this police service go about their dailyjob with one sole intent, to keep people safe. sir hugh orde. renewable energy could play a crucial role in the uk's attempt to reach net zero. wind is providing more and more of our electricity, but what about energy from our waters? experts say that we need to use all forms of electricity generation

if that target is to be reached and are calling for government support to help the tidal industry develop commercially. it comes as what's being described as the most powerful tidal turbine device in the world has connected to the grid in orkney. lorna gordon has been to take a look. in the fast flowing waters of orkney, a new tidal device is being connected to the grid. lying low on the surface of the water. we are in spring tide which is when the water moves at its fastest rate. we were given rare access on board. we think this is a game changer for the tidal sector. we have these two turbines. it is the most powerful tidal turbine in the world. we can recover that to surface to get access to maintenance. we can raise them, repair them and lower them all within a tide. the tides here are among some

of the most powerful in the world. water flowing so fast around the 02, it gives the illusion the devices moving, cutting through the water, even though it is tethered to anchors on the sea bed. the attraction of tidal power is that it is a completely predictable form of renewable energy, and this powerful current is turning the blades on two turbines on this device, generating enough electricity to power up to 2000 homes. in the year of cop 26, endorsing and supporting a pioneering, innovative technology space like tidal stream, is kind of standing for what needs to happen. tidal stream is able to complement the uk's transition to net—zero. tidal is still expensive compared to other renewables like wind. experts say government support would help to bring costs down and enable the industry to develop commercially. i think all of these industries in the early phases need government

support in one form or another. the industry finance needs to know there are guaranteed prizes as it commercialises. when you look at wind, that is the path that was followed with wind. we need the same path followed with tide to make it work. and yes, we need all of these different energy sources going forward. the uk government says it has a long history of supporting the development of wave and tidal stream technologies. the tidal industry would like more. driving further change in these islands and beyond. lorna gordon, bbc news, orkney. people must be protected from excessive pricing for public electric car charging. that's according to a group of mps here in uk. the transport select committee says to pay more for using public charging points could put pressure on people who are less able to afford it. it also said the government needs to make sure people in rural areas have equal access. the uk plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars

by 2030, and hybrids by 2035. jack cousens is the head of roads policy for the uk motoring organisation the aa. he joins us from basingstoke. thank you forjoining us. what do you think needs to happen to get britain ready for what is going to be a big upsurge in the use of electric cars in the next ten to 15 years? i electric cars in the next ten to 15 ears? ~ ., ., , years? i think what we need to see, eseciall years? i think what we need to see, especially to — years? i think what we need to see, especially to really _ years? i think what we need to see, especially to really spark _ years? i think what we need to see, especially to really spark the - especially to really spark the electric revolution, is better incentives to encourage the uptake. at the moment of the top barrier to ownership is the initial purchase price of the car. while there is a £2500 grant at the moment and it is making some difference, we feel it could do more. so what we believe is the most influential thing that could be done, is to scrap vat off an electric vehicle. not only will people be able to buy now, but in three to four years time when they enter the used car market, there will be more opportunities for

people to buy. we need to get the charging infrastructure right as well. especially on the public network. people who've got a garage or a driveway at home, they will be able to have that luxury of charging their vehicle on their property. but if you don't have a dedicated off stream parking, you are somewhat at the mercy of the public sector and the mercy of the public sector and the prices that they will charge in order to keep your vehicle on the road. .,, order to keep your vehicle on the road. , . ,., order to keep your vehicle on the road. , . , ., ., road. those prices are more exnensive — road. those prices are more exnensive if _ road. those prices are more expensive if you _ road. those prices are more expensive if you charge - road. those prices are morej expensive if you charge your road. those prices are more - expensive if you charge your car at a charging point somewhere like a petrol forecourt, compared to charging it at home? why is there such a big difference in cost? that such a big difference in cost? git home the rates are essentially tied to your energy provider, whereas on the public eye where there are different power outages going into that charge point. again, it is down to location as well. now what we think should happen is that there should be some independent oversight to make sure the public charging sector doesn't run away with itself and we get prices —— were my key

prices that are low level. there are 30% of houses in england that do not have dedicated off street parking. we need to keep them in our eye when we are looking at electrical vehicle uptake and managing the expectation, delivery and cost of the public charging network. it is delivery and cost of the public charging network. it is difficult for a lot of— charging network. it is difficult for a lot of people _ charging network. it is difficult for a lot of people are - charging network. it is difficult for a lot of people are living i charging network. it is difficult for a lot of people are living in | for a lot of people are living in cities and towns, where you are packed in a tin of sardines, to get electrical charging points near where you park your car? indeed. this is where _ where you park your car? indeed. this is where it _ where you park your car? indeed. this is where it is _ where you park your car? indeed. this is where it is going _ where you park your car? indeed. this is where it is going to - where you park your car? indeed. this is where it is going to take i this is where it is going to take some ingenuity to solve that. there will be some respite with changes to planning laws were electric vehicle planning laws were electric vehicle planning will have to be fundamental as part of that planning application. it is what do we do with our estates that exist as they are? that is where a little bit of creativity is going to have to come in. localauthorities creativity is going to have to come in. local authorities will have to step up to the plate, as some already are with off—street parking.

it will take a lot of a day at —— of ideas to get it in a good position for 2030 and beyond.— ideas to get it in a good position for 2030 and beyond. thank you for our time. for 2030 and beyond. thank you for your time. good _ for 2030 and beyond. thank you for your time. good to _ for 2030 and beyond. thank you for your time. good to talk— for 2030 and beyond. thank you for your time. good to talk to - for 2030 and beyond. thank you for your time. good to talk to you. i the island nation of samoa now has its first female prime minister. fiame naomi mata'afa took office on tuesday, three months after winning the election. samoa lies about halfway between new zealand and hawaii. news of its new leader drew congratulations from new zealand's prime minsterjacinda ardern and australia's scott morrison. the bbc�*s gender and identity reporter megha mohan has more. it is a new day. a momentous day in a country that had gone almost three months without a clear leader. fiame naomi mata'afa has taken office as samoa's first female prime minister. her party won the country's election in april, defeating her predecessor who had been prime minister for 22 years.

a constitutional crisis followed when the hrpp party refused to hand over power. in unusual scenes, fiame was sworn in in a tent outside samoa's parliament in may, after the doors to the legislature were locked. the caretaker government argued that the ceremony was illegal. the political impasse came to an end last week when samoa's court of appeal ruled that the swearing in ceremony was lawful. how is a female leadership going to be different? i would like my leadership to be one where i work with a team, very mindful that, you know, going forward, we need to enable upcoming leadership. another priority will be navigating a post covid world. samoa is covid free after locking its borders soon after the pandemic was declared but its economy has struggled without tourism.

the british government has set out what it calls "transformative plans" to improve the lives of disabled people. the national disability strategy has cross department involvement and aims to tackle issues such as a lack of accessible housing, access to education and the disability employment gap. but disability campaigners have criticised it for not going far enough. nikki fox reports. for disabled children like florence, getting the right support and funding from government and local authority is crucial, especially when it comes to specialist education. this family had to spend £15,000 fighting to get the right school for their daughter. it felt so unfair. it felt so inappropriate to have to fight for something that should be a provision for all kids with special educational needs. 11—year—old florence is autistic, epileptic and has global development delay.

we looked at what would be best for florence and we came to the conclusion that a school with a specialist provision would be better suited for her. the family weren't happy with the council's first choice of school because they didn't believe it catered for people with more complex needs, like their daughter. so we decided to take the council to tribunal to argue our case, and we had to fund all of our own reports. and employ a solicitor to do that. that is a hugely expensive process. there are hundreds of families that are locked in battles with councils because it seems the first port of call for a council is to say no and make parents fight for it. as part of the strategy, the government admitted that special educational needs are failing some disabled children, and it is spending £300 million to improve it. there are plans across all departments, like housing. there is a commitment to increase the number of accessible homes. employment is mentioned.

disabled people are far less likely to have a job, so the government is consulting on ways to make companies more transparent when it comes to declaring how many disabled people they employee. access to health care, learning disabilities and autism training will be offered to all staff. but there are plans for more consultations and audits, including one around public transport. campaigners are frustrated by the promise of more reports and less action. i'm very disappointed. this is a missed opportunity. the prime minister promised it would be the most ambitious and transformative disability plan in a generation. unfortunately, i think an awful lot of disabled people, ia million of them, are going to see it as a broken promise. the government says their plan will be updated every year and their progress will be scrutinised. florence's family were eventually successful in their battle,

and she is now at a school which will enable her to be the best she can be. any plan to improve the lives of disabled people will of course be welcomed. but charities believe the strategy falls short, as it doesn't deliver immediate drastic action so millions of people can finally start to see an end to being disabled by the many barriers in society. nikki fox, bbc news. britney spears has officially asked for herfather to be replaced as her conservator — 13 years after he assumed control of her life and finances because of concerns over the popstar�*s mental health. the star's new lawyer petitioned the court on monday, and asked for accountantjason rubin — who has experience managing complex trusts and financial exploitation — to be named conservator of spears' estate. public support for the star has surged after her emotional court testimony last month, in which she described the conservatorship as abusive, said she had been drugged, forced to perform against her will and prevented from having children.

now the weather with darret brett. good morning. there was lots of rain around yesterday across many parts of the country. some thunderstorms too. more rain in the forecast for today. for many it will be a case of sunshine but heavy, potentially thundery downpours, and a stronger wind. we have got low pressure in charge of the weather once again. it is not moving very far, very fast. where we have the central and low pressure in scotland, the winds not as strong. more persistent rain stuck across this part of scotland. it is in this area we have an amber rain warning from the met office. by the end of the day they could be as much as 90 millimetres of rain. that will cause travel disruption. that rain potentially thundery as well. elsewhere, some sunshine. showers coming in from the west. those will push their way east through today.

they could be heavy, there could be thunder. some sunshine away from the showers. they are moving away quickly today because of the breeze. the breeze will be strongest across southern parts of the uk. they could be gusting up to a0 mph on the english channel. because of the breeze, it will feel cooler, only 18 to 20 degrees. wetter weather in northern parts of scotland. the rain continuing to mount up. it eases overnight. the showers further south in england and wales become fewer. more cloud and rain coming into northern ireland and a lot of cloud in scotland. temperature—wise, double figures. not quite as warm as it was first thing this morning. let's look at the picture for thursday. the low pressure is starting to move away. it doesn't look quite as wet on thursday. there is another sneaky little low pressure system arriving in the south—west later. some rain to start within northern ireland will push its way south. and again for scotland.

but it is a much drier day for northern scotland. some some patchy rain for northern england and wales. sunshine to the south. in the south—west, rain later on. a drier day on thursday. temperatures at 21 or 22 celsius, near normal for this time of the year. a few showers on friday. the weekend looks drier. some sunshine at times. but it's not going to be that one because the breeze is coming down from the north. goodbye.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines this is wonderful. more olympic gold for team gb — in the 200 metre freestyle relay. it's great britain's first gold in the event since 1908. gb rowers win olympic silver in the men's quadruple sculls. gymnastics superstar simone biles withdraws from another olympic event — the final individual all—round gymnastics competition — due to concerns over her mental health. has been really stressful, the cylinder games. just as a whole, not having an audience. there are a lot of different variables going in. it has been a long weekend along olympic process. long year.