this is bbc news for viewers in the uk and around the globe. i'm victoria fritz. our top stories — a wildfire menace. the greek prime minister urges people to unite, as emergency services tackle over 150 blazes threatening towns and villages across greece. protests across italy, as covid vaccine—passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. translation: i come to the venue in erson, translation: i come to the venue in person. present _ translation: i come to the venue in person. present my — translation: i come to the venue in person, present my pass. _ translation: i come to the venue in person, present my pass. i— translation: i come to the venue in person, present my pass. i present i person, present my pass. i present my id card, and i'm allowed to enter. a fifth of all the uk's covid hospital patients are aged between 18 and 34. doctors warn of the dangers facing the young and unvaccinated — we have a special report.

one of the world's greatest footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona after more than 20 years. the international olympic committee says it's ordered two belarusian coaches to leave the athletes' village to protect the rest of their team. greece has been plunged into an unprecedented environmental crisis, according to the country's prime minister. days of heatwaves have turned the country into a powder keg — and he predicts the worst is yet to come with strong westerly winds expected to fan the flames. as mark lobel reports, villagers are coming under pressure to abandon their homes, as villages like these burn,

the greek prime minister is urging extreme caution. houses can be rebuilt, he says, trees can regrow, however human life cannot be replaced. but abandoning your home is never easy in your 70s. translation: leave and go where, and let my house burn? _ if we had left, this place would have burned. we told the women and elderly and kids to go, and whoever was able stay to help, however they could. crops are at risk, too. so far, 6,000 hectares of land have burned in three days of wildfires. over half of last year's total. decimated. nothing is left. olive trees, sheep, goats, stables, everything.

westward winds have blown a new life into these fires north of athens. with temperatures well over a0 celsius, the past week has been greece's worst heatwave since the late �*80s. with fires continuing to spread, local politicians have denounced a lack of resources. the army is doubling its efforts, but is our changing environment to blame? climate change is producing hotter temperatures, and making droughts more frequent, conditions that can fuel wildfires. translation: we have a debt. to shield the country against the reality of climate change. i'm not looking for excuses. we have made important strides in organising the country, but these are not enough when you're faced with a phenomenon of such magnitude. for those that believe such talk is merely a smokescreen, the pm invites them to visit the fires for themselves.

fires now spreading across southern europe, where many including spaniards, turks, italians, albanians, and north macedonians are also asking, just what is behind the summer heatwave that is causing familiar seasonal fires to act in such extreme ways? mark lobel, bbc news. luke strutt is a brit. he has been visiting the country for 30 years. he has a holiay home just to the east of athens. thank you forjoining me. you have only recently been able to make it back to your home. describe the last 24—hour is. i back to your home. describe the last 24-hour is-— 24-hour is. i went out on tuesday afternoon. _ 24-hour is. i went out on tuesday afternoon, having _ 24-hour is. i went out on tuesday afternoon, having seen _ 24-hour is. i went out on tuesday afternoon, having seen smoke - 24-hour is. i went out on tuesday i afternoon, having seen smoke rising from the hills just behind afternoon, having seen smoke rising from the hillsjust behind me here, went out on my boat to see what the

extent of the smoke was, and further down the coast, huge flames were erupting from the hillside, spreading i suppose like wildfire. very quickly engulfing hotels, houses, and from the boat, it was just apocalyptic scenes. find houses, and from the boat, it was just apocalyptic scenes.— houses, and from the boat, it was just apocalyptic scenes. and i know that ou just apocalyptic scenes. and i know that you have _ just apocalyptic scenes. and i know that you have filmed _ just apocalyptic scenes. and i know that you have filmed some - just apocalyptic scenes. and i know that you have filmed some picturesj that you have filmed some pictures yourself, and we are able to broadcast them now to our viewers. what was it like seeing those scenes for yourself? it what was it like seeing those scenes for yourself?— for yourself? it was a very scary experience. _ for yourself? it was a very scary experience, not _ for yourself? it was a very scary experience, not knowing - for yourself? it was a very scary experience, not knowing where| for yourself? it was a very scary . experience, not knowing where the fire was going to, or when it could be stopped, or if it could be stopped at the time. it was just completely out of control. people were throwing gas canisters into the sea to stop them exploding in the fires. , ., u, ,

sea to stop them exploding in the fires. , ., , , ., fires. this of course is a real danger. _ fires. this of course is a real danger. isn't _ fires. this of course is a real danger, isn't it? _ fires. this of course is a real danger, isn't it? you - fires. this of course is a real| danger, isn't it? you yourself fires. this of course is a real- danger, isn't it? you yourself have been spending some of this crisis on the boat because you felt safer there, but of course being at sea comes with its own risks. absolutely, yeah. smoke was spreading across the water, so actually it was raining hot ash onto the boats, so you were really questioning where was the safest space to be. it was just awful scenes. space to be. it was 'ust awful scenes. �* ., space to be. it was 'ust awful scenes. ~ . ., , ., ., space to be. it was 'ust awful scenes. ~ . ., ., ., scenes. and what have you found on our scenes. and what have you found on your return — scenes. and what have you found on your return to _ scenes. and what have you found on your return to your _ scenes. and what have you found on your return to your home? _ scenes. and what have you found on your return to your home? in - scenes. and what have you found on your return to your home? in the - your return to your home? in the actual town _ your return to your home? in the actual town itself, _ your return to your home? in the actual town itself, last _ your return to your home? in the actual town itself, last night, - actual town itself, last night, the guy behind me was glowing red as the fires continued to burn —— the sky behind me. there was a general sense in the town that these fires have been burning for nearly four days, and, you know, why haven't they been brought under control? i think that

despite the heroic efforts of the locals, their general sense is that they did not get enough support from they did not get enough support from the fire services in the rest of the country, and the air support is what people were really worried about, that planes were being taken to athens but not coming to hear to help douse the flames here. so is it a sense that — help douse the flames here. so is it a sense that these _ help douse the flames here. so is it a sense that these city _ help douse the flames here. so is it a sense that these city is _ help douse the flames here. so is it a sense that these city is being - a sense that these city is being prioritised here? i do a sense that these city is being prioritised here?— prioritised here? i do feelthat that is the _ prioritised here? i do feelthat that is the general _ prioritised here? i do feelthat that is the general sense, - prioritised here? i do feel that - that is the general sense, speaking to the locals last night, they were thinking that the cities were getting the priority, put us the forests were effectively left to burn. ., ~ forests were effectively left to burn. . ,, ,, forests were effectively left to burn. ., ~' ,, , forests were effectively left to burn. . ,, , . forests were effectively left to burn. ., ~ , . ., forests were effectively left to burn. ., , . ., burn. thank you very much for your time, burn. thank you very much for your time. luke — burn. thank you very much for your time, luke strutt _ burn. thank you very much for your time, luke strutt in _ burn. thank you very much for your time, luke strutt in the _ burn. thank you very much for your time, luke strutt in the port - burn. thank you very much for your time, luke strutt in the port of- time, luke strutt in the port of evia, thank you very much. thank ou.

barcelona have announced their all—time top—scorer, lionel messi, will be leaving this summer, after failing to agree the terms of a new contract. messi has been at the club since he was 13. during that time, he helped the team win more than 30 trophies and forged a reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. tanya dendrinos reports. in the eyes of many, he's the greatest footballer of all time, a god amongst men, for those who view the beautiful game as somewhat of a religion. in barcelona, this is their temple. it didn't take long for despondent fans to gather outside camp nou as news of lionel messi's departure hit home. translation: it's a soap opera from last summer. to this summer, and it has finished in a harsh way for the fans and the barca club members. it should've finished in a year without a pandemic, with people filling in the stadium, and the whole of spain applauding his presence. the 34—year—old has been a free agent since the 1st ofjuly,

when his contract expired. two weeks later, he agreed a new deal with reduced wages, but it was still dependent on barca selling players to afford his salary. the shocking blow came on thursday, when barcelona announced messi's 21—year association with the club would be ending, putting the blame on financial and structural obstacles imposed by la liga. translation: it's a big loss, and football will generate - less money and we have less important players. we will notice that. so where might messi be heading? who does have the money? the best candidates i think our paris st germain, who are the most likely club to sign him. the other club who might have the finances to sign him, manchester city, do not appear to want to. that is, of course, if this is the end of the road. not everyone's so sure. i think barcelona can make a pretty convincing case that it is in the interests not only

of barcelona but of spanish football as a whole to bend the rules a little bit and retain the services of the man who could well be the greatest player, some would argue the greatest player in the history of the world. nothing is certain until this messiah signs on the dotted line. for now, barca fans are left hoping their dreams will be resurrected. let's get some of the day's other news. the dixie fire has torn through the historic mining town of greenville in california, engulfing everything in its path. the massive fire started last month, but exploded this week. it's been fueled by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. it now covers more than 300,000 acres. president biden has announced that hong kong residents who are currently in america will be granted temporary safe haven. they will be allowed to stay for 18 months in the us, and could also work there. mr biden said the move

was a response to china's continuing assault on hong kong's autonomy and the repression of political and press freedoms. apple has revealed new safety tools will be introduced in the united states, which can scan photos and messages on people's phones to check for material showing child sex abuse. the company insists the measures will protect users' privacy, but some security experts are concerned. venues across italy are introducing an obligatory covid "green pass" from today, meaning access will only be allowed with either a vaccination certificate, a negative test, or proof of recovery from the virus. the measure will be extended to universities and transport next month. 0ur correspondent, mark lowen reports from verona. a night at the opera — tickets, temperature check, and, from today, the mandatory green pass — a covid vaccination certificate, negative test, or proof of recovery,

as italy tightens its rules from theatres to restaurants, gyms to cafes. this is how it will work in practice. i come up to the venue in question. i present my green pass, which, in my case, is a vaccination certificate. it's verified. this device doesn't save the data. i present my id card, and i am allowed to enter. it is a big change and a big challenge for those involved. nobody told us how to face covid, you know, so at the beginning we were afraid, we were nervous, we were anxious. then, month by month, we solved new problems giving new solutions, and after 18 months we built a little bit of self—confidence, so let's say now that the situation is — it is not a problem. this is another problem regarding covid. tonight's treat — aida. ajewel of verdi. this ancient amphitheatre

in a new pandemic era. verona's arena has already adapted to covid. fewer performers, masks, and half capacity. but, with the green pass, the drama has moved offstage, too. parliament had to be suspended after protests from far—right mps. and while polls show most italians in favour, vocal demonstrations have broken out across the country. much of the opposition is from restaurateurs, their patience already worn by lockdowns. translation: we shouldn't have to police this, - it's not ourjob, and we shouldn't deal with sensitive data. the government will make us argue with customers who want to sit inside without the pass. we will have to comply, but we have already had cancellations. are you no—vax?

absolutely not, i am neither for nor against, i am a restauranteur. it has gotten nasty for medics supporting the green pass. this woman received a death threat through whatsapp, evoking the nazi trials at nuremberg. other messages were on facebook and they came from her colleagues. translation: i really felt in danger. - what upset me most was that the threats were from health workers. they, like us, were heroes of the pandemic and now some of them are no—vax. i felt broken and thought about giving up everything, but then i realised i must go on and show them that they are the ones at fault. at the arena, too, the show will go on, though with new checks for the opera lovers. italy is beginning another act in its covid story, but the unity felt last year is fading. mark lowen, bbc news, verona.

stay with us on bbc news, still to come — the international olympic committee has ordered two belarusian coaches to leave the athletes' village.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines — the greek prime minister urges people to unite against a wildfire menace, as emergency services tackle over 150 blazes threatening towns and villages across greece. there have been protests across italy, as covid vaccine—passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. 0lympic officials say two coaches from belarus have been stripped of their accreditation and asked to leave the olympic village in tokyo, over their alleged attempt

to force an athlete, krystsina simannovskaya, out of competition. the bbc�*s sarah mulkerrins in tokyo has more. it in tokyo has more. started with the athlete from belarus it started with the athlete from belarus who alleges that she was forced to board a plane back home. she had previously competed in the 100 metres, it was due to compete in the 200 metres on monday. she asked her to compete in the four by 400 metres relay, she criticised that any public post on instagram, and then said subsequently to this she had two belarusian officials tell her to pack her bags, go to the airport, and board a flight home. when she was at the airport, she requested help. we soon found out she did that through translation services when she was at the airport, asking the police for protection, saying she did not want

to board the plane back home to belarus, she was in fear for her safety. subsequently, she had police protection, and we now know that she has arrived in warsaw on a humanitarian visa. the irc have been investigating this, the latest update we got this morning was the removal of accreditation from two belarusian delegates and also removal of them from the olympic village. —— the ioc. there are still belarusian athletes staying there, and of course the games finish on sunday. the ioc so there will be a chance for the delegates to have their say, chance for the delegates to have theirsay, but chance for the delegates to have their say, but they wanted to remove them from the pit village in order to protect the welfare of the belarusian athletes still at the games. .. . belarusian athletes still at the games, ., , , belarusian athletes still at the games. ., ,, belarusian athletes still at the games. ., , , , ., ., belarusian athletes still at the games. . ,, ., , games. sarah, unless you have been livin: games. sarah, unless you have been living under— games. sarah, unless you have been living under a — games. sarah, unless you have been living under a rock _ games. sarah, unless you have been living under a rock rather _ games. sarah, unless you have been living under a rock rather than - living under a rock rather than climbing up it, you will know that climbing up it, you will know that climbing is the new branch. everyone is doing it, and people have been absolutely hooked on these new sports, the climbing, surfing,

skateboarding, karate, it goes on, it has been fantastic to watch these new spots, and they found real fans right across the world, haven't they? it right across the world, haven't the ? . , , right across the world, haven't the ? , , ., they? it has been brilliant, capturing _ they? it has been brilliant, capturing so _ they? it has been brilliant, capturing so many - they? it has been brilliant, capturing so many new - they? it has been brilliant, i capturing so many new fans. they? it has been brilliant, - capturing so many new fans. it has been hugely entertaining to watch. and the atmosphere at all of them with the competitors cheering each other on and supporting each other. the ioc brought in a lot of sports like this in order to bring the younger generations with them for the future of the olympic games, and it is certainly looking like it has been a very successful and shrewd move on from them. let's speak to somebody who has been covering them for bbc sport here in tokyo, tim, you must be living the olympics so far, because i have seen you at the surfing, the skateboarding, the bmx, it's been good. it surfing, the skateboarding, the bmx, it's been good-— it's been good. it looks like i am on holiday. _ it's been good. it looks like i am on holiday, essentially. - it's been good. it looks like i am on holiday, essentially. i- it's been good. it looks like i am on holiday, essentially. i have . it's been good. it looks like i am| on holiday, essentially. i have to be at _ on holiday, essentially. i have to be at all— on holiday, essentially. i have to be at all of— on holiday, essentially. i have to be at all of what i consider the best_ be at all of what i consider the best spots, have to be careful howl

say that, _ best spots, have to be careful howl say that, it — best spots, have to be careful howl saythal. it is— best spots, have to be careful howl say that, it is brilliant and to have — say that, it is brilliant and to have these spots on the world stage, i have these spots on the world stage, i have _ have these spots on the world stage, i have been_ have these spots on the world stage, i have been a fan since i was ten years— i have been a fan since i was ten years old — i have been a fan since i was ten years old when i got my first skateboard, so to be here, not as a competitor. — skateboard, so to be here, not as a competitor, nowhere near that, skateboard, so to be here, not as a competitor, nowhere nearthat, but to here _ competitor, nowhere nearthat, but to here is _ competitor, nowhere nearthat, but to here is a — competitor, nowhere nearthat, but to here is a fan to see these sports. _ to here is a fan to see these sports. is _ to here is a fan to see these sports, is brilliant. i to here is a fan to see these sports, is brilliant.— to here is a fan to see these sports, is brilliant. i do think they have — sports, is brilliant. i do think they have resonated - sports, is brilliant. i do think they have resonated so - sports, is brilliant. i do think| they have resonated so much sports, is brilliant. i do think i they have resonated so much of people? i they have resonated so much of --eole? ~ �* , they have resonated so much of neale? ~' �*, ., ., ., people? i think it's the drama. you aet people? i think it's the drama. you get everything _ people? i think it's the drama. you get everything on _ people? i think it's the drama. you get everything on screen, - people? i think it's the drama. you get everything on screen, you - people? i think it's the drama. you get everything on screen, you get. get everything on screen, you get the action— get everything on screen, you get the action comedy tricks, the magnitude, the speed, it all comes across, _ magnitude, the speed, it all comes across, but— magnitude, the speed, it all comes across, but also the colourful characters that these sports bring to the _ characters that these sports bring to the games. the brazilian skateboarder who sounds like he is telling _ skateboarder who sounds like he is telling into godzilla after his run. -- turning — telling into godzilla after his run. —— turning into. so many stories and angles _ —— turning into. so many stories and angles to— —— turning into. so many stories and angles to it. — —— turning into. so many stories and angles to it, and i think it comes alive _ angles to it, and i think it comes alive on— angles to it, and i think it comes alive on screen for the viewer. and the culture — alive on screen for the viewer. and the culture around _ alive on screen for the viewer. fiflc the culture around the sport alive on screen for the viewer. fific the culture around the sport is a bit different from the real

competitive nature we're used to seeing in elite sport, and it has transferred into the olympics. bier? transferred into the olympics. very much so, transferred into the olympics. very much so. and _ transferred into the olympics. very much so, and this _ transferred into the olympics. very much so, and this is _ transferred into the olympics. very much so, and this is not _ transferred into the olympics. very much so, and this is not a - transferred into the olympics. very much so, and this is not a case of square _ much so, and this is not a case of square sports fitting into a round olympic— square sports fitting into a round olympic hole, this is a case of we are at— olympic hole, this is a case of we are at the — olympic hole, this is a case of we are at the olympics, but here's skateboarding in its absolute daily guys, _ skateboarding in its absolute daily guys, this— skateboarding in its absolute daily guys, this is what skateboarding is, and here _ guys, this is what skateboarding is, and here it — guys, this is what skateboarding is, and here it is at the olympics, it is no _ and here it is at the olympics, it is no different, and we spoke earlier— is no different, and we spoke earlier about it that in between the runs: _ earlier about it that in between the runs. but— earlier about it that in between the runs, but between the gold—medal temps, _ runs, but between the gold—medal temps, you have an extra practice, and the _ temps, you have an extra practice, and the guy— temps, you have an extra practice, and the guy who hasjust put down the best— and the guy who hasjust put down the best run, he is not moaning or complaining because this skateboarding is. conversely, we have seen guys knocked off the top spot. _ have seen guys knocked off the top spot. and _ have seen guys knocked off the top spot, and they are the first person to congratulate the person that has knocked _ to congratulate the person that has knocked them off. so it is completely different, a weird culture, _ completely different, a weird culture, but i am part of it. it is completely— culture, but i am part of it. it is completely different.— culture, but i am part of it. it is completely different. thank you, tim, i appreciate _ completely different. thank you, tim, i appreciate your— completely different. thank you, tim, i appreciate your time - completely different. thank you, tim, i appreciate your time and i tim, i appreciate your time and enthusiasm for those new sports that have been so successful. i know when

we're talking about these new sports, victoria, in the streaming and downloading and watching of these new sports, they were out of these new sports, they were out of the top ten watched and most viewed for the international olympic committee of these games so far, so they have certainly gone down a treat with viewers the world. doctors in leeds in west yorkshire in the north of england say they are treating greater numbers of coronvirus patients in hospital who are younger and unvaccinated. it comes as the head of nhs england has said that one in five patients on wards in the country is aged between 18 and 34. leeds teaching hospital has taken the unusual step of allowing us to film on one of their covid—19 wards to highlight the risks younger people face by not having the jab. our health correspondent jamie coulson has this exclusive report. coughing. can you imagine yourself being stabbed in the back? that's what it feels like. you breathe, and you're getting stabbed at the same time. every time you take a breath, someone stabs you. three days ago, this man was admitted to

stjames' hospital in leeds in excruciating pain. the 25—year—old international student is like many patients hospitals are now seeing in greater numbers. he is younger and unvaccinated. i am really worried, because all the pain is going on inside my lungs, and it's moving around. i heard some people after they recover from covid, their lungs don't work 100%. were you vaccinated? i haven't. i was booking for a vaccination, but i got the covid twice. violent coughing. hello. sorry to interrupt your dinner.

this is one of the respiratory consultants on the covid wards. he says it is concerning they are seeing a greater proportion of younger patients. what he has got is a complication of covid, it's a blood clot on his lungs. secondary to the covid inflammation. now, we now know that covid increases the chance of getting blood clots significantly, and there has been a big surge in the number of patients we are seeing with blood clots following covid. hopefully he will get better in the next day or so. these people are young and fit, most of them, and they are still getting serious covid, and we have to provide them with a lot of support. they are staying in hospital, some of them, for quite long periods, and there is also a cost in terms of their recovery, and because they are in their working life, it has got complications long term. this is one of three dedicated covid wards at the trust, and here, like elsewhere, they have seen an increase in the number of patients needing help in recent weeks. and a significant proportion of them are either unvaccinated or only single jabbed.

after weeks of rising cases, the number of covid patients at the trust has remained at about 100 for the last seven days. without the vaccine, doctors say the situation could be much worse. if you think about the total number of patients testing positive in the country, compared to the number of hospital admissions, there is no comparison compared to the first and second wave. so the overall numbers of admissions have significantly gone down, and the only thing that is different is the vaccine. and when they end up in hospital, what i am seeing, the patients who have had a vaccine tend to do better. coughing. take the vaccine. i don't think any other people want to experience what i am experiencing right now, like feeling in pain every day, not to mention even the painkillers couldn't help you. jamie coulson, bbc news.

business news coming up in about five minutes' time. hello, lots of talk about heavy showers on this forecast, but important to point out it will not rain all the time. some drier, sunnier moments, too. some areas on friday will be dealing with heavy but intense thundery downpours, particularly across northern parts of the uk, whereas further south, there will still be some heavy showers to contend with. it will tend to move through more quickly, more an of sunshine, dry to the north, because to the southern flank of this area of low pressure which is coming, the winds are stronger, so the showers move through more quickly, but if you're close to the centre of this area, across scotland, northern ireland, northern england, north wales, too, the showersjust england, north wales, too, the showers just hang around for longer,

the rain totals mount command is intense downpours could well flooding and some disruption in some spots. eastern scotland is with more persistent rain, again rain totals mount and with the risk of flooding. still some sunny spells in between the heavy showers, but with the stronger winds across south wales and southern england, whose average speeds of 40, 40 five miles per hour, the showers will tend to move through more quickly. and i might be some places avoiding them altogether. more on the web content into the day here as well. up to around 22 in east anglia, most bliss is not getting that high. circulation of showers around this area of low pressure continuing on through friday night, and of saturday morning, temperatures holding up into the mid to low teens. nothing really changes on saturday for the bulk of the uk, there will be some sunshine around at times, there will be heavy thundery showers. it looks like a greater chance of picking up some heavy thundery showers across southern areas compared with friday.

and as the temperatures, some spots creeping into the low 20s, although many will not. and then on sunday, the area of the pressure still here, looks to be centred close to scotland. could be the most prolonged thundery downpours. but they are flaring up elsewhere across they are flaring up elsewhere across the uk, but it might well be towards south wales and southern england, back to a picture of fewer showers and more in the way of sunny spells. this area of the pressure looks to finally get out of the way by tuesday, to allow us a couple of fine days before another area of low pressure comes in later next week.

this is bbc news broadcasting to the uk and around the globe. our top stories. on a charge — president biden says half of all cars sold in the us must be electric by 2030. we have a play book and it's going to work. today, i'm announcing steps we're taking to set a new pace for electric vehicles. no pass, no entry — italy and france to start enforcing covid vaccine certificates for restaurants, cinemas and public transport — but will it hit tourism? blasting the bro—culture — does the video game business need a reset? plus, leaving a sour taste — how a $10 billion corporation sued a family—run farm, and lost.

welcome. we start in the us, where president biden has taken a step towards his goal of slashing us greenhouse emissions. how? he's signed an executive order requiring half of all vehicles sold in the united states to be electric by 2030 — a move backed by the top auto companies. he signed off and fired up an electricjeep. the biden administration is also proposing new, tougher emissions rules over the next few years. these would reverse former president trump's lowering of fuel economy standards. we have a playbook and it is going to work. today i'm announcing steps to work. today i'm announcing steps

to set a new pace for electric vehicles. i am following through on the campaign commitment to reverse the campaign commitment to reverse the previous administration's short sighted of vehicle emissions and efficiency standards. i'm doing so with the support of the auto industry. the automobile industry. today the environmental protection agency and the department of transportation are unveiling proposals to do just that. these agencies are beginning to work on the next round of standards for a broad class of vehicles, for cars, suvs, pick—up trucks, medium and heavy duty vehicles. importantly, we have announcements today from auto—makers representing nearly the entire order market, who are positioned around the ambition of 40 to 50% of all vehicles are sold by 2030 america, being electric. note the word there — �*ambition'. the executive order is not legally binding. so will it work? swetha ramachandran is investment manager at gam investments, i asked her if there's public

support for the move. that's a really interesting question. and i think the one part of not address is the consumer uptake side, where the industry has been lobbying the government for some time to put in place tax credit that would encourage consumers to increase their adoption of electric vehicles, even though this year we are seeing an increase from 2% last year to roughly about 3% in terms of total electric vehicle adoption, that pales in comparison to led say norway, which has 75% of its auto sales electric. the uk and the eu are at ten to 11% each. the us has a long way to go in terms of convincing consumers to actually increase their adoption of electric vehicles. . , increase their adoption of electric vehicles. . . ., increase their adoption of electric vehicles. . . . , vehicles. that is the demand side. what about _ vehicles. that is the demand side. what about the _ vehicles. that is the demand side. what about the supply _ vehicles. that is the demand side. what about the supply side? - vehicles. that is the demand side. | what about the supply side? biden said, were used to leading this technology and we can lead again. but given the enormous headstart china has in this market, is he's a

realistic ambition to even have? it is true that china has stolen the mantra of the us, but we can't forget that tesla is a us company, although notably left out of the summit. and increasingly, the other us companies are making important strides in electrification, with ambitious goals of their own. gm has said it would stop selling non—electric vehicles by 2030. other companies are proposing similar measures on a voluntary basis so far. so the critical technology does exist on the supply side. it needs to be given this further impetus to the government is trying to do in terms of providing backing infrastructure. charging points in the us are still a pinch point. there are estimated to be about 50,000 charging points. the plan would require the establishment of 500,000. that is an area the government needs to get more heavily involved in. but government needs to get more heavily involved in. �* . . ., involved in. but that particular asect of involved in. but that particular aspect of it — involved in. but that particular aspect of it will _ involved in. but that particular aspect of it will see _ involved in. but that particular aspect of it will see a - involved in. but that particular aspect of it will see a major. aspect of it will see a major upgrade, wanted, in this

infrastructure bill?- infrastructure bill? yes, absolutely. _ infrastructure bill? yes, absolutely. the - infrastructure bill? yes, | absolutely. the proposal infrastructure bill? yes, - absolutely. the proposal looks for $7.5 billion to be earmarked towards the establishment of infrastructure for the electric vehicle industry, which would be very welcome by the auto—makers. jfi< which would be very welcome by the auto-makers— auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to net auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to get halfway _ auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to get halfway to _ auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to get halfway to the _ auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to get halfway to the moon, - auto-makers. jfk didn't set a goal to get halfway to the moon, and i to get halfway to the moon, and franklin roosevelt didn't set out to half win world war ii. can biden go down as a great climate change president by setting what is a modest goalfor president by setting what is a modest goal for electric vehicles, half by 2030? pat modest goal for electric vehicles, half by 2030?— modest goal for electric vehicles, half by 2030? at this point in time it seems like _ half by 2030? at this point in time it seems like a _ half by 2030? at this point in time it seems like a work— half by 2030? at this point in time it seems like a work in _ half by 2030? at this point in time it seems like a work in progress. l it seems like a work in progress. the direction of travel is probably more relevant than the ultimate goal, which i suspect will be tweaked and made more ambitious as the industry makes further strikes in this area. for now it seems very much a shot and beyond to reverse some of the rollbacks the trump administration had made in its concessions to the auto industry. and in that i think we need to look at it as a step in the right direction rather than an end point.

let's turn to the travel industry now, because as you've been hearing, european countries are beginning to demand proof of covid immunity for access to a wide range of venues and services. as of monday, in france, to visit a cafe or board a train you'll need to show a health pass, proving two vaccine doses or recent negative covid test. it's part of an eu—wide scheme. but what about tourists from outside the bloc? could it deal another huge blow to the tourism business, just when travel restrictions are beginning to lift? elodie bertah is a paris tour guide. i asked her what the impact on paris would be. u nfortu nately, unfortunately, i think it will be limited because already we have very few tourists from outside the eu. so it will not be as devastating as you expected be, sadly. ii

it will not be as devastating as you expected be, sadly.— expected be, sadly. if you don't have a double _ expected be, sadly. if you don't have a double vaccine _ expected be, sadly. if you don't have a double vaccine in - expected be, sadly. if you don't| have a double vaccine in france, expected be, sadly. if you don't - have a double vaccine in france, you have a double vaccine in france, you have to have a pcr test. how much of thatis have to have a pcr test. how much of that is a restriction on trade and on economic activity in the country? that will be harder, i think. it has to be either the vaccine, the pcr or another test. to be either the vaccine, the pcr or anothertest. but to be either the vaccine, the pcr or another test. but a number of people still do not have the full vaccine scheme. and it means that even if you want to go for a beer on a terrace in a barfrom one day, you will need to have a test certificate. i was hearing yesterday in a number of bar owners saying they will return to the previous takeaway for their beers and coffees and so on. they will ask for the qr code so as not to lose too many

clients. , , code so as not to lose too many clients. . . , ., , , clients. this is the problem. these tests only last _ clients. this is the problem. these tests only last a _ clients. this is the problem. these tests only last a couple _ clients. this is the problem. these tests only last a couple of- clients. this is the problem. these tests only last a couple of days. i tests only last a couple of days. therefore, if you don't have a double vaccine, you're going to have to keep doing these tests to go out for a beer with your friends. to keep doing these tests to go out for a beer with yourfriends. do to keep doing these tests to go out for a beer with your friends. do you feel this health pass is going to have an impact on the vaccination status of french nationals? are more people going to take up the jab? it has started, actually. when the president announced the upcoming measures, the ones that arrive on monday, there was a huge boost on the vaccination activity around the country. even people on holiday were rushing to get the vaccination because it also includes some people for the job, because it also includes some people forthejob, people because it also includes some people for thejob, people are because it also includes some people for the job, people are work in hospitals etc. so these people, if they want to go back to work after their holidays, they need to have their holidays, they need to have the full vaccination. so they were rushing to get their first dose, to

have the time to get the second dose before september. it already has a big impact on vaccination activity in the country. but still, a few people remain very hostile to this vaccination. people remain very hostile to this vaccination-— vaccination. paris, of course, normally _ vaccination. paris, of course, normally such _ vaccination. paris, of course, normally such an _ vaccination. paris, of course,| normally such an international destination. perhaps a little bit of relief this week that france has come off the amber plus watch list for the uk. do you foresee a boost in trade over the next few weeks, or do you think this will be a barrier to trade? �* . �* . . , to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have — to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have very — to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have very many _ to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have very many visitors, - to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have very many visitors, so i to trade? again, i'm afraid we still| don't have very many visitors, so it won't have a big effect on the numbers. at least not in paris, because paris is not a very big destination in the summer. generally people like to go elsewhere in france in the summer. again, the numbers are not very high right now. it was very satisfactory that the

ban was lifted for france, of course. but it will not translate into a huge amount of people coming into a huge amount of people coming in and out of paris right now. now, to a classic david and goliath battle, over oat milk. on the one side a multinational business valued at $10 billion on the nasdaq stock market. on the other, a small family run—farm in the uk. on thursday, farmers philip and rebecca rayner won their high court battle against swedish oat milk giant oatly, which accused them of trademark infringement. michelle fleury has more. the swedish company oatly is a pioneer in dairy alternatives found in plants. it produces milk substitutes made from oats. it is growing quickly. in fact, it has a deal with a beverage company to bring its products to asia. it has already helped to popularise the new

old milk in the uk, where it began selling shares to the public later this year. but with success comes imitators. at least that is the argument oatly sought to make in a british court. the brand, endorsed by celebrities including oprah winfrey, took britain's ro glebe farm to court in a bid to stop it selling the pure oti drink, accusing it of trademark infringement. however, a high courtjudge has ruled in favour of the uk firm, saying that while there were similarities between the initial pure out milk and packaging, it would be hard to see how this would lead to confusion among consumers. the swedish firm is caught up in another legal dispute in america, with an activist investor accusing the company of overstating revenue. this week, one of the world's top video games companies, activision blizzard, unveiled a management shake—up,

following employee protests over sexism and harassment, and a discrimination lawsuit by the state of california. it describes a toxic workplace environment, with male staffjoking about rape and allegedly groping female colleagues. the company has promised to review its workplace conditions, and the depiction of women in some of its games. there have been similar allegations at other games developers. so does the industry have a broader problem? anisa sanusi is game designer and the founder of limit break, a mentorship program for under—represented people working in the uk games industry. i asked her earlier if any progress had been made. u nfortu nately, unfortunately, it is not an isolated case. it is quite rampant, no matter where you are in the world. most of the games are quite similar, unfortunately. i5 the games are quite similar, unfortunately.— the games are quite similar, unfortunatel . . . ., . , , unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture _ unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture is _ unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture is the _ unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture is the direct _ unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture is the direct result - unfortunately. is it fair to assume this culture is the direct result of| this culture is the direct result of a lack of diversity in the industry, or is it more than that?—

or is it more than that? yes, i would say _ or is it more than that? yes, i would say that _ or is it more than that? yes, i would say that is _ or is it more than that? yes, i would say that is one - or is it more than that? yes, i would say that is one of - or is it more than that? yes, i would say that is one of the l would say that is one of the reasons. in the uk at least the most recent census that we had, 70% of the industry is male and only 28% is female. �* .. the industry is male and only 28% is female. �* ., ., , . female. but how does increasing the ro ortion female. but how does increasing the proportion of— female. but how does increasing the proportion of female _ female. but how does increasing the proportion of female representation | proportion of female representation within the industry change anything? representation definitely matters. we do want more women and people of colour to be in leadership roles, in senior roles as well, because that's where change happens, when those people up top who care about these things. i would say more people in higher positions need to listen to people. stay with us on bbc news. still to come... back on stage, and on the streets and online — the edinburgh festival returns after its covid—enforced absence.

an increase in gas and electricity bills for 11 million homes in england, wales and scotland will be announced today. the energy regulator, ofgem, will reveal its maximum price cap in about an hour. experts predict a rise of £150 per customer, meaning the average annual bill could be almost £1,300. there's been a call for people with needle phobia to be exempt from any covid vaccine passport scheme. an oxford university study suggests the phobia — which causes an extreme fear of injections and often anxiety around just seeing a needle — accounts for around 10% of vaccine hesitancy in the uk. music festivals and other live events are to be protected by government—backed insurance if they have to cancel because of covid.

the £750 million scheme, which begins next month, comes after organisers appealed for more support. more than half of all festivals have been cancelled this summer. nightclubs in wales can re—open tomorrow, in the biggest easing of restrictions since the pandemic began. social distancing rules and limits on indoor meetings will no longer apply, but face masks will still be required in shops and on public transport. the welsh government has warned the lifting of restrictions shouldn't be seen as a "free—for—all". this is bbc news. the latest headlines. the greek prime minister urges people to unite against a wildfire menace, as emergency services tackle over 150 blazes threatening towns and villages across greece. there have been protests across italy, as covid vaccine passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events and live performances.

career changes can be daunting — but they've become increasingly popular. the pandemic has led millions to be furloughed, or accept a change in their pay and conditions — and that's prompted lots of us to reassess our working lives. the business site linkedin says that in the us the number of people changing jobs is up 36% since before the pandemic. here's the story of one man who swapped fashion's big business for a bar. i'mjohn. i i'm john. i used i'mjohn. i used to be a senior figure in the fashion world and now i run my own wine bar. if there was no pandemic i

absolutely would still be working for the same company that i was working for. i had a wonderful career. i travelled all over the world. i was probably travelling a little bit too much. last year, with the pandemic, i had to make some decisions about whether i wanted to continue my career. i am at the age now where i am looking at the next squad of ten to 15 years. and i wanted to create something that is my own and something that i would enjoy day today. i think it is a mix of financial and alsojob of financial and also job satisfaction. being of financial and alsojob satisfaction. being on my own personal environment. i was wholesale director and franchise director. there are a lot of transferable skills that i had developed in my past career that are benefiting me now. i think it is a chance for me to sort of really gather everything that i have learned over the years. and to apply it to my own business. i'm very excited at the prospect of seeing the results from that. going into

this i visualised exactly what i wanted it to look like. and we've managed to accomplish it. so every morning when i open the doors, i get that sense of achievement where i think, wow, we achieved this. and viewers on bbc world news can get more on talking business with aaron heslehurst this weekend. the times are on your screen now. finally, the world's biggest arts festival returns to edinburgh this weekend, after a pandemic—induced year off in 2020. the 2019 summer season was the biggest in the edinburgh festival's history, with more than 4.4 million people attending. this year's scaled down event combines everything from opera to literary criticism, to impromptu street performances, in a hybrid mix of live audience

and digital distribution. organisers say online—only events in 2020 proved they could engage wider audiences around the world. marshall dallas is ceo of the edinburgh international conference centre, which will host 14 shows part of the edinburgh fringe, as well as the international tv festival. i asked him earlier what it's like to be back. it's no understatement to say the past 16 months have been extremely tough for all of us. particularly those that are working and living in edinburgh. but now, as we are heading into august, we are definitely turning a corner. and of course edinburgh has hosted the fringe festival since 1947. and it was designed then to boost the economy, to bring newjobs to people just after the war. and probably most importantly, bring some joy into people's lives. so for me this

festival is hugely symbolic to edinburgh. as we come out of this global pandemic. and this is also a big week for the residents of edinburgh, for small businesses. and perhaps they will be a bit emotional this week as the fringe gets under way. edinburgh has taken its first tentative steps back to delivering great hospitality and events, which is so important to the city.- is so important to the city. heaven knows we are _ is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all— is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all in _ is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all in need _ is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all in need of- is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all in need of a - is so important to the city. heaven knows we are all in need of a goodj knows we are all in need of a good laugh after the last year. if sort of touchstone on it there. i wonder if you could sort of explain to viewers how important these festivals are to the city? well, clearly this _ festivals are to the city? well, clearly this year _ festivals are to the city? well, clearly this year because - festivals are to the city? well, clearly this year because of. festivals are to the city? well, i clearly this year because of covid restrictions, and an obviously greatly reduced international travel comedy festivals will be on a bit of a smaller scale. so this year we

won't be hosting the biggest festival in the world. like we normally do. but i know it will be the greatest. marshall dallas. let's check in with the markets. the asian markets failing to catch a break from a asian markets failing to catch a breakfrom a bumper asian markets failing to catch a break from a bumper session on wall street. the spread of the delta variant heightening concerns about the economic recovery in the region. this is where i say goodbye to the international viewers. thank you very much for your company. have a lovely weekend. here in the uk, there's a call for people with needle phobia to be exempt from any possible coronavirus vaccine passport scheme. having a phobia of needles can cause an extreme fear of injections, and in many cases raises anxiety levels when just catching a glimpse of a needle. a recent study suggests the phobia accounts for around a tenth of vaccine hesitancy in britain, as luxmy gopal reports.

adam is getting his first covid jab, or desperately trying to. the 23—year—old suffers from needle phobia and anxiety. it’s 23-year-old suffers from needle phobia and anxiety.— 23-year-old suffers from needle phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised. _ phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, ok? _ phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, ok? a _ phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, ok? a lot— phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, ok? a lot of- phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, ok? a lot of people l phobia and anxiety. it's not widely i recognised, ok? a lot of people just recognised, 0k? a lot of people just say shut your eyes, forget about it, focus on something else. it doesn't work that way. it is far more severe than just a fair and an aversion to needles. if you love the world is ending type of thing at that moment. you can't focus on anything. it's not so much the pain of the injection, it's the thought of it piercing the skin.— injection, it's the thought of it piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in _ piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in for— piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in for his _ piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in for his first _ piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in for his first attempt. l piercing the skin. three days ago, i he came in for his first attempt. we sent he came in for his first attempt. - spent five hours. we went from being in a state of severe panic to being able to sit with a needle a few inches away. i didn't get the jab. i rebooked for today. then we had three hours. rebooked for today. then we had three hours-— three hours. vaccine clinics have resources _ three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on _ three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on hand _ three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on hand for— three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on hand for those - three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on hand for those who three hours. vaccine clinics have - resources on hand for those who need more time or one—to—one support. the

more time or one-to-one support. the ma'ori more time or one—to—one support. the majority and especially the younger generation, we have a lot of people worried _ generation, we have a lot of people worried and — generation, we have a lot of people worried and scared about needles. my advice _ worried and scared about needles. my advice to— worried and scared about needles. my advice to me —— them as they can bring _ advice to me —— them as they can bring friends, family members, they can ask— bring friends, family members, they can ask for— bring friends, family members, they can ask for a — bring friends, family members, they can ask for a side room, they can call the _ can ask for a side room, they can call the vaccine cites beforehand to -et call the vaccine cites beforehand to get an _ call the vaccine cites beforehand to get an idea — call the vaccine cites beforehand to get an idea of what precautions, what _ get an idea of what precautions, what steps are being put in place to help them — what steps are being put in place to hel them. . . ~ , , .,, . help them. tackling this phobia could make _ help them. tackling this phobia could make a _ help them. tackling this phobia could make a real— help them. tackling this phobia could make a real dent - help them. tackling this phobia could make a real dent in - help them. tackling this phobia i could make a real dent in vaccine hesitancy rates. a study by researchers from oxford university indicates that of those who are vaccine hesitant in the uk, for around one in ten the significant factor is a fear of needles. the charity, anxiety uk, hopes any plans for covid passports would have exemptions for people with the condition. we exemptions for people with the condition. ~ . .. �* exemptions for people with the condition. ~ , ., �* , condition. we shouldn't be discriminating _ condition. we shouldn't be discriminating against - condition. we shouldn't be. discriminating against those condition. we shouldn't be - discriminating against those with needle _ discriminating against those with needle phobia or needle anxiety. it must _ needle phobia or needle anxiety. it must be _ needle phobia or needle anxiety. it must be recognised that there is a genuine _ must be recognised that there is a genuine and real fear in some people — genuine and real fear in some people. they need help and support. it people. they need help and support. it would _ people. they need help and support. it would be _ people. they need help and support. it would be unfair to not allow them

to be _ it would be unfair to not allow them to be considered to be included in some _ to be considered to be included in some form — to be considered to be included in some form of exemption scheme if that was— some form of exemption scheme if that was allowed, if that was taken forward _ that was allowed, if that was taken forward. , . . that was allowed, if that was taken forward. , , . ., that was allowed, if that was taken forward. , ,. ., . forward. the department of health sa s it forward. the department of health says it encourages _ forward. the department of health says it encourages people - forward. the department of health says it encourages people to - forward. the department of health says it encourages people to have l says it encourages people to have the vaccine as it can save lives. it says it is working to ensure those who can't have it for medical reasons and disadvantage. but this group —— for this group of unvaccinated, it is not about being anti—vaxxer. after hours of trying again, adam doesn't quite manage the jab but has rebooked and is determined to give it another shot. looks me go pal, bbc news. as we've been hearing, nightclubs in wales can re—open tomorrow, in the biggest easing of restrictions since the pandemic began. social distancing rules and limits on indoor meetings will no longer apply, but face masks will still be required in shops and on public transport. the welsh government has warned that the lifting of restrictions shouldn't be seen as a "free—for—all". what we hope is that people will continue to treat others with

respect and to think about those simple things we can all do that continue to keep ourselves and other people say. so that does include being a respectful distance when you can. hand washing. wearing masks when you are in crowded public places. those simple things that we've all learned to do and which cumulatively continue to make a real difference. we all know that keeping a routine during lockdown can be tricky, particularly if you're used to the limelight. despite the absence of admiring crowds, the march of the penguins has continued at this zoo in thailand. their keepers say it is important for them to get out and about, to help prevent them getting sick. so, despite the pandemic, they've been enjoying a little sunshine and the chance for a swim, before before returning to an air—conditioned enclosure. not a bad life, while they wait for their adoring public to return. and away from the olympics, there's another aquatic sports events that's really got people in a flap. the annual rubber duck derby got underway when the competitors

plunged from the columbus bridge in chicago. and no less than 65,000 the bath toys are taking part. and there's no need to worry about pollution. they're reused in different cities around the country. some of these stories we do, honestly, i don't know what our viewers must think.— honestly, i don't know what our viewers must think. matt taylor loves a good — viewers must think. matt taylor loves a good rubber _ viewers must think. matt taylor loves a good rubber duck. - viewers must think. matt taylor loves a good rubber duck. he i viewers must think. matt taylor i loves a good rubber duck. he has viewers must think. matt taylor - loves a good rubber duck. he has got the weather. good morning. we are about to get through the weather equivalent of the rinse and spin cycle. plenty of showers in the next few days, some heavy and thundery. they are all revolving around an area of low pressure which is stubborn to shift. here it is today, here it is through the weekend, and only slowly moving its way eastwards. plenty of showers around it. not until tuesday will be get a break from those sherry

conditions. low pressure is centred across parts of southern scotland and northern england today. this is where the downpours, if they come your way, will be longer lasting. torrential places. could cause some flooding. more persistent rain in parts of northern scotland, quite a breeze. the showers in the south will through quicker. a bit more sunshine in between. blustery conditions, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph. it does make for a cool day. nice enough if you get in the sunshine between those downpours. but when the downpours come your way it will feel disappointing for the stage in august. even as you go into the night quite often you expect showers to fade. the showers continue to fading throughout the night. most persistent in some parts of northern ireland, north wales and into northern ireland. temperatures still holding up, even though the days are cool and the night is not particularly cold. as you go into saturday, low pressure centred across parts of scotland. a slightly

drier day for northern scotland. more downpours. the showers pushing through across parts of england and wales. a dry spell through east anglia and the south east during the middle part of the day. temperatures down on today. there you go, confirmation as we go through saturday night into sunday, the area of low pressure is with us. the strongest winds wrapped around the outside flank. another blustery day in the south. fewer showers here compared to elsewhere. the showers longest lasting across parts of scotland and northern ireland. i can, they could be heavy, thundery, even torrential. temperatures sitting in the teens for most. as we look into next week, there will be respite, particularly on tuesday. southern areas only seeing a few showers. more rain will arrive in the north and west at times.

this is bbc world news. our top stories — a wildfire menace. the greek prime minister urges people to unite, as emergency services tackle over 150 blazes threatening towns and villages across greece. protests across italy as covid vaccine—passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. i come up to the venue in question. i present my green pass, which, in my case, is a vaccination certificate. it's verified. this device doesn't save the data. i present my id card, and i am allowed to enter. one of the world's greatest footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona after more than 20 years. a fifth of all the uk's covid hospital patients are aged between 18 and 34. doctors warn of the dangers facing the young and unvaccinated.

we have a special report. hello, and welcome to bbc world news. greece has been plunged into an unprecedented environmental crisis, according to the country's prime minister. days of heatwaves have turned the country into a powder keg, and he predicts the worst is yet to come with strong westerly winds expected to fan the flames. as mark lobel reports, villagers are coming under pressure to abandon their homes, as villages like these in the peloponnese burn, the greek prime minister is urging extreme caution. houses can be rebuilt, he says, trees can regrow, however human life cannot be replaced. but abandoning your home

is never easy in your 70s. translation: leave and go where, and let my house burn? _ if we had left, this place would have burned. we told the women and elderly and kids to go, and whoever was able stay to help, however they could. crops are at risk, too. so far, 6,000 hectares of land have burned in three days of wildfires, over half of last yea r�*s total. translation: the agricultural wealth of the village has been decimated. - nothing is left. olive trees, sheep, goats, stables, everything. westward winds have blown a new life into these fires with temperatures well over 40 celsius, the past week has been greece's worst heatwave since the late �*80s.

with fires continuing to spread, local politicians have denounced a lack of resources. the army is doubling its efforts, but is our changing environment to blame? climate change is producing hotter temperatures, and making droughts more frequent, conditions that can fuel wildfires. translation: we have a debt. to shield the country against the reality of climate change. i'm not looking for excuses. we have made important strides in organising the country, but these are not enough when you're faced with a phenomenon of such magnitude. for those that believe such talk is merely a smokescreen, the pm invites them to visit the fires for themselves. fires now spreading across southern europe, where many including spaniards, turks, italians, albanians, and

north macedonians are also asking, just what is behind this summer heatwave that's causing familiar seasonal fires to act in such extreme ways? mark lobel, bbc news. nikolia apostolou is a freelance journalist, and she travels between athens and kalamata, greece, which is where she joins us from now. thank you forjoining us. please bring us up to date on the latest picture. bring us up to date on the latest icture. , , bring us up to date on the latest icture. . , ., picture. this is the fourth day greece is _ picture. this is the fourth day greece is battling _ picture. this is the fourth day greece is battling the - picture. this is the fourth day i greece is battling the wildfires, saw thousands of greeks have fled their homes, and fios even reached an archaeological site. right now, the biggest fire is in athens, on the biggest fire is in athens, on the outskirts, and in evia. the government is saying that the fire in athens could have been contained quickly on tuesday, something that

did not happen, and has resulted in so many houses being destroyed. finally, not enough is being done for climate change, for example fire protection zones, so the economic crisis in 2008, the austerity policy has left the fire department understaffed and without enough equipment. understaffed and without enough ea-uiment. . , ~ , equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has— equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has set _ equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has set the _ equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has set the time - equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has set the time for- minister has set the time for criticism will come but it is not stopping those criticising the government, and there's a fear that there just is not the staff within there just is not the staff within the fire service to deal with catastrophic fires.— the fire service to deal with catastrophic fires. exactly. there is a european — catastrophic fires. exactly. there is a european help _ catastrophic fires. exactly. there is a european help on _ catastrophic fires. exactly. there is a european help on the - catastrophic fires. exactly. there is a european help on the way, i catastrophic fires. exactly. there i is a european help on the way, 100 french and cypriot firefighters are coming, but the winds we are expecting this afternoon, that might not be enough. stand expecting this afternoon, that might not be enough-— expecting this afternoon, that might not be enough. and what are people sa in: not be enough. and what are people saying about — not be enough. and what are people saying about the _ not be enough. and what are people saying about the urgency _ not be enough. and what are people saying about the urgency with - not be enough. and what are people saying about the urgency with which | saying about the urgency with which

they are being told to leave their homes? because as we saw in that report, many are determined to stay, aren't they?— aren't they? yes, they are staying eseciall aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in _ aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in cases _ aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in cases where - aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in cases where they - aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in cases where they do | especially in cases where they do not see any help, any firefighters there, any helicopters and planes. i think that is when people are staying to save their homes. stand think that is when people are staying to save their homes. and the fear is that the _ staying to save their homes. and the fear is that the fires _ staying to save their homes. and the fear is that the fires will _ fear is that the fires will get worse? . . , fear is that the fires will get worse?- thank - fear is that the fires will get worse?- thank you | fear is that the fires will get - worse?- thank you very much worse? exactly. thank you very much for the worse? exactly. thank you very much forthe update- _ barcelona have announced their all—time top—scorer, lionel messi, will be leaving this summer, after failing to agree the terms of a new contract. messi has been at the club since he was 13. during that time, he helped the team

win more than 30 trophies and forged a reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. tanya dendrinos reports. in the eyes of many, he's the greatest footballer of all time, a god amongst men, for those who view the beautiful game as somewhat of a religion. in barcelona, this is their temple. it didn't take long for despondent fans to gather outside camp nou as news of lionel messi's departure hit home. translation: it's a soap opera from last summer. to this summer, and it has finished in a harsh way for the fans and the barca club members. it should've finished in a year without a pandemic, with people filling in the stadium, and the whole of spain applauding his presence. the 34—year—old has been a free agent since the 1st ofjuly, when his contract expired. two weeks later, he agreed a new deal with reduced wages,

but it was still dependent on barca selling players to afford his salary. the shocking blow came on thursday, when barcelona announced messi's 21—year association with the club would be ending, putting the blame on financial and structural obstacles imposed by la liga. translation: it's a big loss, and football will generate - less money and we have less important players. we will notice that. so where might messi be heading? who does have the money? the best candidates i think are paris st germain, who are the most likely club to sign him. the other club who might have the finances to sign him, manchester city, do not appear to want to. that is, of course, if this is the end of the road, but not everyone's so sure. i think barcelona can make a pretty convincing case that it is in the interests not only of barcelona but of spanish football as a whole to bend the rules a little bit and retain the services of the man who could well be the greatest player, some would argue the greatest player

in the history of the world. nothing is certain until this messiah signs on the dotted line. for now, barca fans are left hoping their dreams will be resurrected. manchester city has smashed the british transfer—fee record — after signing midfielder jack grealish from aston villa for £100 million. the move makes him the ninth most expensive footballer in history — and it comes one year after the 25—year—old signed a five—year contract with villa. music festivals and other live events are to be protected by government—backed insurance if they have to cancel because of covid in the uk. the £750 million scheme —

which begins next month — comes after organisers appealed for more support. more than half of all festivals have been cancelled this summer. venues across italy are introducing an obligatory covid "green pass" from today, meaning access will only be allowed with either a vaccination certificate, a negative test, or proof of recovery from the virus. the measure will be extended to universities and transport next month. mark lowen reports. a night at the opera — tickets, temperature check, and, from today, the mandatory green pass — a covid vaccination certificate, negative test, or proof of recovery, as italy tightens its rules from theatres to restaurants, gyms to cafes. this is how it will work in practice. i come up to the venue in question. i present my green pass, which, in my case, is a vaccination certificate. it's verified. this device doesn't save the data. i present my id card, and i am allowed to enter. it is a big change and a big challenge for those involved. nobody told us how to face covid, you know, so at the beginning we were afraid, we were nervous, we were anxious.

then, month by month, we solved new problems giving new solutions, and after 18 months we built a little bit of self—confidence, so let's say now that the situation is — it is not a problem. this is another problem regarding covid. tonight's treat — aida. ajewel of verdi. this ancient amphitheatre in a new pandemic era. verona's arena has already adapted to covid. fewer performers, masks, and half capacity. but, with the green pass, the drama has moved offstage, too. parliament had to be suspended after protests from far—right mps. and while polls show 70% of italians in favour, vocal demonstrations have broken out across the country.

much of the opposition is from restaurateurs, their patience already worn by lockdowns. translation: we shouldn't have to police this, - it's not ourjob, and we shouldn't deal with sensitive data. the government will make us argue with customers who want to sit inside without the pass. we will have to comply, but we have already had cancellations. are you no—vax? absolutely not, i am neither for nor against, i am a restaurateur. it has gotten nasty for medics supporting the green pass. this woman received a death threat through whatsapp, evoking the nazi trials at nuremberg. other messages were on facebook, and they came from her colleagues. translation: i really felt in danger. - what upset me most was that the threats were from health workers.

they, like us, were heroes of the pandemic and now some of them are no—vax. i felt broken and thought about giving up everything, but then i realised i must go on and show that they are the ones at fault. at the arena, too, the show will go on, though with new checks for the opera lovers. italy is beginning another act in its covid story, but the unity felt last year is fading. mark lowen, bbc news, verona. a beautiful morning here in verona, and a big day as well as businesses begin to introduce this change, among them cathy is with indoor seating areas. and as you can see here, they have already put up the green pass signs for customers telling them they will have to show their qr code before they go in to take a table. let's go in and see how this is all shaping up. still the mask obligation to come inside

places like this. you can see how difficult life is in italy these days, with these fantastic cakes and the italian espresso there as well. and marco, my first question, how do you ensure you do not eat everything before you serve it? it is so beautiful.— before you serve it? it is so i beautiful._ are before you serve it? it is so - beautiful._ are you beautiful. thank you. i try. are you read for beautiful. thank you. i try. are you ready for the _ beautiful. thank you. i try. are you ready for the green _ beautiful. thank you. i try. are you ready for the green pass _ beautiful. thank you. i try. are you ready for the green pass change? i ready for the green pass change? yes, i try to be. ready for the green pass change? yes. i try to be— yes, i try to be. how difficult is it, do you _ yes, i try to be. how difficult is it, do you have _ yes, i try to be. how difficult is it, do you have the _ yes, i try to be. how difficult is it, do you have the app - yes, i try to be. how difficult is it, do you have the app alreadyj it, do you have the app already on your phone?— your phone? yes. press here, and then the person — your phone? yes. press here, and then the person shows _ your phone? yes. press here, and then the person shows the - your phone? yes. press here, and then the person shows the green. then the person shows the green pass, and i see if it is right or not. . , .. pass, and i see if it is right or not. . . . ., , not. have you already have to use it for customers _ not. have you already have to use it for customers this _ not. have you already have to use it for customers this morning? - not. have you already have to use it for customers this morning? yes, i for customers this morning? yes, onl once for customers this morning? yes, only once this _ for customers this morning? yes, only once this morning. _ for customers this morning? yes, only once this morning. and - for customers this morning? ia: only once this morning. and she had the green pass. so we do not have any problems. the green pass. so we do not have any problems-— any problems. what was her attitude? what do you — any problems. what was her attitude? what do you feel _ any problems. what was her attitude? what do you feel about _ any problems. what was her attitude? what do you feel about the _ what do you feel about the behaviour, the response of the customers you will have. are you worried you will have argumentative

customers or people will reject it? i think some customers will be trouble, will complain. buti i think some customers will be trouble, will complain. but i hope we find people with the green pass. are you supportive of this, do you believe it is the right idea? yes. believe it is the right idea? yes, i su ort. believe it is the right idea? yes, i support- thank— believe it is the right idea? yes, i support. thank you _ believe it is the right idea? yes, i support. thank you very - believe it is the right idea? yes, i support. thank you very much, i believe it is the right idea? yes, i- support. thank you very much, marco. so i think support. thank you very much, marco. so i thinkthis — support. thank you very much, marco. so i thinkthis is _ support. thank you very much, marco. so i think this is an _ support. thank you very much, marco. so i think this is an attempt _ support. thank you very much, marco. so i think this is an attempt really - so i think this is an attempt really by the government to ensure that italians vaccinate. about 60% of italians vaccinate. about 60% of italians are now fully vaccinated. the green pass measure is now going to be extended to transport, schools, and universities also by next month, is the first country in the west to have been crushed by the pandemic takes no chances. mark, thank you very much. those pastries do look delicious, do enjoy one now if you can. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come — a stark warning for the uk's18—34—year—olds about the dangers of being young and unvaccinated against covid.

fuel poverty campaigners are warning of a "harsh winter" for low income families as gas and electricity bills are expected to rise by around £150 per year. the energy regulator, ofgem, is to reveal its maximum price cap which will affect around 11 million homes in england, scotland and wales. the new limit could mean the average annual bill may be almost £1,300. justina miltonite is from the comparison website uswitch. the price gap primarily affects customers who are on a default tariffs, so these are customers that have not switched their energy supplier for a have not switched their energy supplierfor a really have not switched their energy supplier for a really long time, have not switched their energy supplierfor a really long time, or have moved homes and have not yet fixed their deals. the other group of people will be prepayment customers, who are usually in a more precarious financial situation already, so it will really affect

people who could do with a bit of relief. this is bbc news, the latest headlines — the greek prime minister urges people to unite against a wildfire menace, as emergency services tackle over 150 blazes threatening towns and villages across greece. there have been protests across italy as covid vaccine—passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. nightclubs in wales can re—open tomorrow in the biggest easing of restrictions since the pandemic began. social distancing rules and limits on indoor meetings will no longer apply, but face masks will still be required in shops and on public transport. the welsh government has warned that the lifting of restrictions shouldn't be seen as a "free—for—all." doctors in leeds in west yorkshire in the north of england say they are treating

greater numbers of coronavirus patients in hospital who are younger and unvaccinated. it comes as the head of nhs england has said that one in five patients on wards in the country is aged between 18 and 34. leeds teaching hospital has taken the unusual step of allowing us to film on one of their covid—19 wards to highlight the risks younger people face by not having the jab. our health correspondentjamie coulson has this exclusive report. coughing. can you imagine yourself being stabbed in the back? that's what it feels like. you breathe, and you're getting stabbed at the same time. every time you take a breath, someone stabs you. three days ago, this man was admitted to stjames' hospital in leeds in excruciating pain. the 25—year—old international student is like many patients hospitals are now seeing in greater numbers. he is younger and unvaccinated. i am really worried, because all the pain

is going on inside my lungs, and it's moving around. i heard some people after they recover from covid, their lungs don't work 100%. were you vaccinated? i haven't. i was booking for a vaccination, but i got the covid first. violent coughing. hello. sorry to interrupt your dinner. this is one of the respiratory consultants on the covid wards. he says it is concerning they are seeing a greater proportion of younger patients. what he has got is a complication of covid, it's a blood clot on his lungs. secondary to the covid inflammation. now, we now know that covid increases the chance of getting blood clots significantly,

and there has been a big surge in the number of patients we are seeing with blood clots following covid. hopefully the pain will get better in the next day or so. these people are young and fit, most of them, and they are still getting serious covid, and we have to provide them with a lot of support. they are staying in hospital, some of them, for quite long periods, and there is also a cost in terms of their recovery, and because they are in their working life, it has got complications long term. this is one of three dedicated covid wards at the trust, and here, like elsewhere, they have seen an increase in the number of patients needing help in recent weeks. and a significant proportion of them are either unvaccinated or only single jabbed. after weeks of rising cases, the number of covid patients at the trust has remained at about 100 for the last seven days. without the vaccine, doctors say the situation could be much worse. if you think about the total number of patients testing positive in the country,

compared to the number of hospital admissions, there is no comparison compared to the first and second wave. so the overall numbers of admissions have significantly gone down, and the only thing that is different is the vaccine. and when they end up in hospital, what i am seeing, the patients who have had a vaccine tend to do better. coughing. take the vaccine. i don't think any other people want to experience what i am experiencing right now, like feeling in pain every day, not to mention even the painkillers couldn't help you. jamie coulson, bbc news. here in the uk, there's a call for people with needle phobia to be exempt from any possible coronavirus vaccine passport scheme. having a phobia of needles can cause an extreme fear of injections and in many cases raises anxiety levels when just catching a glimpse of a needle. a recent study suggests the phobia accounts for around a tenth of vaccine hesitancy in britain,

as luxmy gopal reports. adam is trying to get his first covid jab. adam is trying to get his first covidjab. he adam is trying to get his first covid jab. he suffers with needle phobia and anxiety. it is covid jab. he suffers with needle phobia and anxiety.— covid jab. he suffers with needle phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised- _ phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised- a _ phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised. a lot _ phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised. a lot of _ phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised. a lot of people - phobia and anxiety. it is not widely recognised. a lot of people say - phobia and anxiety. it is not widelyl recognised. a lot of people say shut your eyes, forget about it, focus on something else. it doesn't work that way. it is far more severe than just aversion to needles, it is a full on the world is ending type thing in that moment. you cannot focus on anything. it is not so much the pain of the injection, it is the thought of the injection, it is the thought of it piercing my skin.— of the injection, it is the thought of it piercing my skin. three days aao, he of it piercing my skin. three days ago. he came _ of it piercing my skin. three days ago. he came in _ of it piercing my skin. three days ago, he came in for— of it piercing my skin. three days ago, he came in for his _ of it piercing my skin. three days ago, he came in for his first - ago, he came in for his first attempt. ago, he came in for his first attempt-— ago, he came in for his first attemt. ~ ,, ., , ago, he came in for his first attemt. ~ .. ., , . attempt. we spent five hours. when fundin: attempt. we spent five hours. when funding being _ attempt. we spent five hours. when funding being in _ attempt. we spent five hours. when funding being in a _ attempt. we spent five hours. when funding being in a state _ attempt. we spent five hours. when funding being in a state of _ funding being in a state of severe panic to being able to sit with a needlejust a few panic to being able to sit with a needle just a few inches away, but i didn't get the job, i wasn't ready. but i rebooked the other day for today. —— i didn't get the jab. and we have had three hours.

today. -- i didn't get the 'ab. and we have had three hours._ today. -- i didn't get the 'ab. and we have had three hours. which and ou want, we have had three hours. which and you want. this _ we have had three hours. which and you want, this one? _ we have had three hours. which and you want, this one? vaccine - we have had three hours. which and you want, this one? vaccine clinicsi you want, this one? vaccine clinics have more — you want, this one? vaccine clinics have more time _ you want, this one? vaccine clinics have more time available - you want, this one? vaccine clinics have more time available for- you want, this one? vaccine clinicsi have more time available for people who are worried about needles. mr; who are worried about needles. ill advice is who are worried about needles. my advice is that who are worried about needles. mn advice is that they can bring friends and with them, family members, they can ask for a side room. they can call up the vaccine sites beforehand just to get an idea about what precautions can be put in place to help them just so that the vaccine programme is accessible to all. �* . . ., vaccine programme is accessible to all. 1. . «n ., vaccine programme is accessible to all. 2, . ~' ., , vaccine programme is accessible to all. ,, all. back on this phobia could make all. back on this phobia could make a real dent — all. back on this phobia could make a real dent in _ all. back on this phobia could make a real dent in vaccine _ all. back on this phobia could make a real dent in vaccine hesitancy - a real dent in vaccine hesitancy rates. a study by researchers from oxford university indicates that of those who are vaccine hesitant in the uk, for around one in ten, the significant factor is a fear of needles. the charity anxiety uk hopes any plans for covid vaccine passports would have exemptions for people with the condition. we shouldn't people with the condition. - shouldn't be discriminating against those with a needle phobia or anxiety, we must recognise that there is a genuine and realfear and

some people. they need help and support, and it would be unfair to not allow them to be considered to be included in some form of exemption scheme if that was allowed, that was taken forward. the department of health says it encourages people to have the vaccine, as it can save lives. it's as it is working to ensure those who cannot have it for medical reasons are not disadvantaged. for this group of unvaccinated, it is not about being anti—vaccine. after hours of trying again, adam doesn't quite manage the jab, but has rebooked and is determined to give it another shot. extra flights have been scheduled from mexico to help hundreds of britons return to the uk ahead of new quarantine rules which come into force on sunday morning. anyone arriving after 4am will need to pay for the hotel where they self—isolate. the country is being added to the red list as part of changes to the uk's traffic light system.

meanwhile, some of the uk's biggest nightclubs arejoining the drive to encourage young people to get vaccinated. ministry of sound and heaven are among the clubs promoting the benefits of getting shots, while heaven is also hosting a pop—up vaccination site. from next month, anyone entering a club in england will need to have had two doses of the vaccine. in scotland, the fringe festival gets under way from today, featuring hundreds of shows taking place online and in venues throughout edinburgh. the biggest arts festival in the world is returning after the pandemic forced it online last year. for the first time in the fringe's history, the event will be a mix of live audience and digital shows. the fringe usually attracts more than four million people to the city every summer. plenty more on all the stories were covering online on the bbc website, i will be back shortly with more of

the day's top stories. in the meantime, you can reach me on twitter. plenty of showers of the next few days, some of them heavy and thundery at times, all revolving around an area of low pressure which is stubborn to shift. here it is today and through the weekend, only slowly moving its way eastwards. 20 of showers around it, not until we get to tuesday will we get a break from those shower conditions. out there today, low pressure centred across parts of southern scotland and northern edward thomas of waiters centred, the winds are light us. if the downpours come your way, there will be longer lasting, torrential in places, could cause some flooding. more persistent rain across parts of northern scotland with quite a breeze, the showers in

the south pushing through much quicker, so a small portion of the day here wet with something in between. winds up to 50 mph at times. making very fairly cold day, nice enough of you get in the sunshine between those downpours, but when the rain comes your way, it will feel a bit disappointing for the time of year. into the night, you often expect showers to fade, but because of the area of low pressure right over us, the showers continue to fade into the net. most persistent parts of northern england, north wales and then to northern ireland. but temperatures still holding up, even though the days are a cool know it's not particularly cold, temperatures in the teens for most. saturday, low pressure across parts of scotland, a slightly drier day for northern scotland, warning new way of downpours, longer lasting ones, southern scotland and northern ireland and northern england. showers pushing through across parts of england and wales, a dry spell through east anglia, and the south—east, during the middle part of the day. temperatures of anything a little bit down on today at�*s

values. into saturday night into sunday, the area of low pressure with us, the strongest winds wrapped around the outside like, so another blustery day across the south. fewer showers here compared to what we will see elsewhere. showers longest lasting across parts of scotland and northern ireland, and again, could be heavy, thundery, even torrential in places. temperatures for most sitting in the teens. as we take into next week, there will be respite as i said, particularly on tuesday, southern areas are missing two showers around, some of them will stay dry for much of the week, but more rain arriving at times in the north and west.

this is bbc news.

the headlines. wildfires are threatening large parts of greece, as strengthening winds fuel more than 150 blazes. dozens of towns and villages have been evacuated. the greek prime minister has said many people are facing what he called a menacing stage. there have been protests across italy after the introduction of obligatory covid green passes to gain access to restaurants, sporting events and live performances. the measure will be extended to universities and transport from next month. in the uk, music festivals and other live events are to be protected by government—backed insurance worth £750 million if they have to cancel because of covid—19. one of the world's greatest footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona, where he's spent his entire career. the spanish club said financial and structural obstacles had prevented a new contract deal with the argentine striker. nightclubs in wales can re—open

tomorrow, in the biggest easing of restrictions since the pandemic began. social distancing rules and limits on indoor meetings will no longer apply, but face masks will still be required in shops and on public transport. the welsh government has warned that the lifting of restrictions shouldn't be seen as a "free—for—all". let's speak to stephanie egeler, who owns the horse and jockey inn in in knighton in wales, near the border with england. thank you for being with us. how are you feeling about these easing of restrictions after all this time? we are restrictions after all this time? - are excited. i think it's really good, especially for staff, that they don't have to adhere to the rules any more. making sure that everybody keeps their restrictions. so, excitement, but also a little bit cautious. not sure how to —— what to expect, how people behave. it will be good for us, i think. we have early _ it will be good for us, i think. we have early warning that this is not

a free for all. there is a warning that people... had plans have you got in place? for that people. .. had plans have you got in place?— that people... had plans have you otin lace? .. ., ., ., , , got in place? for tomorrow, because it is a saturday. _ got in place? for tomorrow, because it is a saturday, and _ got in place? for tomorrow, because it is a saturday, and also _ got in place? for tomorrow, because it is a saturday, and also because i it is a saturday, and also because it is a saturday, and also because it is a very busy day for us, we will list all of the restrictions. but, for example, for the bar especially, because our drinking trade has been affected most. we have a bouncer on in case it gets too busy or staff can't cope. but apart from that i'm just hoping that everybody will still keep their distance a little bit. and just be sensible about things. haifa distance a little bit. and 'ust be sensible about thingsh distance a little bit. and 'ust be sensible about things. how has the andemic sensible about things. how has the pandemic impacted _ sensible about things. how has the pandemic impacted on _ sensible about things. how has the pandemic impacted on you - sensible about things. how has the pandemic impacted on you and - sensible about things. how has the | pandemic impacted on you and your restaurant and bar? brute pandemic impacted on you and your restaurant and bar?— restaurant and bar? we have a se arate restaurant and bar? we have a separate bar. _ restaurant and bar? we have a separate bar, restaurant - restaurant and bar? we have a separate bar, restaurant and i restaurant and bar? we have a i separate bar, restaurant and we restaurant and bar? we have a - separate bar, restaurant and we have got eight rooms as well. we have been lucky that we have been busy. so when we reopened we were busy from the get go. we have been very

lucky in that respect. but it has been really hard mentally and physically, especially on staff, by just not knowing what to expect, not knowing what to do, conflicting roles, especially because we are so close to the border it has been hard to have certain rules in england, and having to explain the rules in england —— where wales are different. england -- where wales are different-— england -- where wales are different. ., . , different. how have people reacted to that? not _ different. how have people reacted to that? not very _ different. how have people reacted to that? not very well. _ different. how have people reacted to that? not very well. we - different. how have people reacted to that? not very well. we have i different. how have people reacted| to that? not very well. we have had to that? not very well. we have had to ar ue to that? not very well. we have had to argue with _ to that? not very well. we have had to argue with people _ to that? not very well. we have had to argue with people saying, - to that? not very well. we have had to argue with people saying, look, i to argue with people saying, look, these are the roads in wales. yes, but anything then it's different. yes, but we are in wales, we are not in england. we were made responsible to make sure that when england was unlocked and that we kept on these people out of the pub, which shouldn't be ourjob really. shouldn't be our 'ob really. we're most looking — shouldn't be ourjob really. we're most looking forward _ shouldn't be ourjob really. we're most looking forward to - shouldn't be ourjob really. we're most looking forward to welcoming back? you have got people coming from over the border with england but lots of tourists?— from over the border with england but lots of tourists? yes, we get a lot of tourists. _ but lots of tourists? yes, we get a lot of tourists. at _ but lots of tourists? yes, we get a lot of tourists. at the _ but lots of tourists? yes, we get a lot of tourists. at the moment - but lots of tourists? yes, we get a

lot of tourists. at the moment it i but lots of tourists? yes, we get a| lot of tourists. at the moment it is many people from the uk. i think it willjust be good to get the feeling of the pub back to normal and not as a bare minimum, making sure that we can put flowers on tables, just a simple things that we haven't been able to do. and provide a level of service that we think is better than what we are offering now. ok. service that we think is better than what we are offering now. ok, en'oy our full what we are offering now. ok, en'oy your full reopening. d what we are offering now. ok, en'oy your full reopening. we d what we are offering now. ok, en'oy your full reopening. we hope it h what we are offering now. ok, enjoy your full reopening. we hope it is i yourfull reopening. we hope it is not too crazy weekend for you. thank you. not too crazy weekend for you. thank ou. . ~' not too crazy weekend for you. thank ou. . ~ , .. y not too crazy weekend for you. thank ou. . ~' , .. , . the fa says it's committed to getting more british asian women into football. its figures show on average only one in ten of those playing at grassroots level is asian, and under—representation is even more of a problem when it comes to the professional game. it comes as government research suggests asian women are the least physically active group. now clubs — like the newly set—up southall athletic fc — are trying to change that. anisa kadri caught up with them at training ? she shoots, she scores. southall

athletic fc women's side welcomes women from all backgrounds. because of its location within a very asian area, it provides opportunities for lots british asian women to play. you just need a release with a group of girls that understand you. you just want to have fun but play at a competitive level.— competitive level. there is a big taboo. indian _ competitive level. there is a big taboo. indian girls _ competitive level. there is a big taboo. indian girls shouldn't - competitive level. there is a big | taboo. indian girls shouldn't play football, — taboo. indian girls shouldn't play football, they should get married, they shouldn't be doing certain things — they shouldn't be doing certain things. for us, as a team we are trying _ things. for us, as a team we are trying to— things. for us, as a team we are trying to beg —— break the taboo. the team — trying to beg —— break the taboo. the team has already won a tournament, but they have faced racism along the way. thenr tournament, but they have faced racism along the way. they would say a few words — racism along the way. they would say a few words like _ racism along the way. they would say a few words like curry, _ racism along the way. they would say a few words like curry, the _ racism along the way. they would say a few words like curry, the p - racism along the way. they would say a few words like curry, the p word. i a few words like curry, the p word. she said something underneath her breath, i got agitated, i went into herface and the breath, i got agitated, i went into her face and the referee goes to me, are you trying to get sent off? he didn't hear what he said. the club wants people _ didn't hear what he said. the club wants people to _ didn't hear what he said. the club wants people to let _ didn't hear what he said. the club wants people to let them - didn't hear what he said. the club wants people to let them know i didn't hear what he said. the club wants people to let them know if| wants people to let them know if they are racially abused so it can be dealt with.— they are racially abused so it can be dealt with. everybody should be

concerned with _ be dealt with. everybody should be concerned with racism _ be dealt with. everybody should be concerned with racism in _ be dealt with. everybody should be concerned with racism in the - be dealt with. everybody should be| concerned with racism in the game. it is something that has, myself, when _ it is something that has, myself, when i _ it is something that has, myself, when i was — it is something that has, myself, when i was playing as a younger kid, until i_ when i was playing as a younger kid, until i was— when i was playing as a younger kid, until i was about 20, i encountered racism _ until i was about 20, i encountered racism the — until i was about 20, i encountered racism the whole way. the until i was about 20, i encountered racism the whole way.— racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic _ racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic fc _ racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic fc try _ racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic fc try to - racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic fc try to make i racism the whole way. the goal of. southall athletic fc try to make the sport more accessible, more diverse and more exciting. it comes at a time of the fa is trying to encourage more asian girls and women in play football. this video of rising star laila has been released by the fa to encourage more asian girls and women to get involved in football. iarate girls and women to get involved in football. ~ . ., girls and women to get involved in football. . ., , . . football. we are doing research with ouni football. we are doing research with own iirls football. we are doing research with young girls around _ football. we are doing research with young girls around what _ football. we are doing research with young girls around what they - football. we are doing research with young girls around what they want. i young girls around what they want. we are also working with various people from the muslim faith on the sport hijab and how important that is to help them on the pitch. we are doing some work in masks as well. we are trying to do as much as we can to listen to what our asian women's

football group says to us. 50. to listen to what our asian women's football group says to us.— football group says to us. so, is women's football _ football group says to us. so, is women's football frowned - football group says to us. so, is women's football frowned upon | football group says to us. so, is - women's football frowned upon and asian communities? mn; women's football frowned upon and asian communities?— asian communities? my family is iuite asian communities? my family is quite open. _ asian communities? my family is quite open. but _ asian communities? my family is quite open, but not _ asian communities? my family is quite open, but not every - asian communities? my family is quite open, but not every family| asian communities? my family is i quite open, but not every family is like that — quite open, but not every family is like that i— quite open, but not every family is like that. i still get a few people in public— like that. i still get a few people in public saying, you are a girl, you should _ in public saying, you are a girl, you should be at home, you shouldn't be playing _ you should be at home, you shouldn't be playing in— you should be at home, you shouldn't be playing in a football short —— for certain— be playing in a football short —— for certain choice because you are asian _ for certain choice because you are asian. |t— for certain choice because you are asian. , for certain choice because you are asian. . .. . for certain choice because you are asian. , .,, . ,, for certain choice because you are asian. , . ,, ,, , asian. it is hoped clubs like this will hel- asian. it is hoped clubs like this will help to _ asian. it is hoped clubs like this will help to tackle _ asian. it is hoped clubs like this will help to tackle asian - will help to tackle asian underrepresentation in parts of the game. let's get some of the day's other news. the dixie fire has torn through the historic mining town of greenville in california, engulfing everything in its path. the massive fire started last month but exploded this week. it's been fueled by high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds. it now covers more than 300,000 acres. apple has revealed new safety tools will be introduced in the united states, which can scan photos and messages on people's phones to check for material showing child sex abuse. the company insists the measures will protect users' privacy, but some security experts

are concerned. president biden has announced that hong kong residents who are currently in america will be granted temporary safe haven. they will be allowed to stay for eighteen months in the us and could also work there. mr biden said the move was a response to china's continuing assault on hong kong's autonomy and the repression of political and press freedoms. state media in north korea save thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes after days of heavy rain led to widespread flooding. large areas of farmland are underwater. there is concern over the damage to crops and the effect on food supplies. a new kind of content creator is emerging on youtube. so—called virtual youtubers are people who use 3d character models to engage with their audience

anonymously on the video—sharing site. these v—tubers — as they're called — are becoming more and more popular with some reportedly earning millions. our reporter miles emmanuel spoke to two of them using their online personas. hello. you are watching the bbc. meet veepaii and apricot — two british women, aged 22 and 23, who work as online content creators and use animated avatars to replace their identity. some virtual youtubers, �*vtubers', use body tracking technology, like this, to animate the characters, while others have a much simpler set up. but the industry only started in 2016 and some need convincing it is a viable career choice. she didn't understand what i was doing at first and she was definitely not happy about me leaving university to pursue my career online. i took a year off of university and that is when my career blew up. with a host of colourful characters, accessibility and anonymity can play

key parts in streamers deciding to take the digital plunge. for vee, it was after she contracted a viral infection which ruptured her spleen and left her bedridden for six months that she decided to stream online. any disability you may have, it definitely works around it. you don't need to deal with harassment from people. you would probably deal with it if you had your camera up. they assume that everybody who chooses this career, having their face as a cartoon character, they just instantly assume that everyone is overweight orjust some guy, and it's really not the case. vtubers are now amongst the highest—earning content creators, with some receiving up to around £2 million in the last 1.5 years. now, major companies are looking

into using 3d mascots for customer—facing roles. if you are asking if this is the future of things, i see us moving towards it as these art styles are being seen as engaging and more attractive to them, right? you do not have to hire make up artists or crazy video to have someone talking about your wares. you canjust run a game engine and have it fully rendered. and although vtubers, like many content creators, can be subject to abusive and sexist comments, veepaii and apricot say their careers have allowed them to learn important life skills. i grew out of my social anxiety through being a vtuber. i used to be really shy. i would be afraid to speak in english classes. ifa kid has a dream of their own or a goal in mind, i think everyone should try to pursue that. miles emmanuel, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, coming up next world business report.

on a charge — president biden says half of all cars sold in the us must be electric by 2030. no pass, no entry — italy and france to start enforcing covid vaccine certificates for restaurants, cinemas and public transport. but will it hit tourism?

welcome to world business report. i'm victoria fritz. we start in the us, where president biden has taken a step towards his goal of slashing us greenhouse emissions. how? he's signed an executive order, requiring half of all vehicles sold in the united states to be electric by 2030 — a move backed by the top auto companies. he signed off and fired up an electricjeep. the biden administration is also proposing new, tougher emissions rules over the next few years. these would reverse former president trump's lowering of fuel economy standards. we have a play book and it is going to work. today i'm announcing steps to set a new pace for electric vehicles. first, i am following through on the campaign commitment to reverse the previous administration's short—sighted

roll—back of vehicle emissions and efficiency standards. i'm doing so with the support of the auto industry, the automobile industry. today, the environmental protection agency and the department of transportation are unveiling proposals to do just that. these agencies are beginning to work on the next round of standards for a broad class of vehicles, for cars, suvs, pick—up trucks, medium and heavy duty vehicles. importantly, we have announcements today from auto—makers representing nearly the entire auto market, who are positioned around the ambition of 40 to 50% of all vehicles are sold by 2030 america, being electric. of all vehicles are sold by 2030 note the word there — �*ambition'. of all vehicles are sold by 2030 the executive order is not legally binding. swetha ramachandran is investment manager at gam investments. thank you forjoining me. if it is not legally binding, is it going to work? . , . ., ,

not legally binding, is it going to work? ., , . ., , ., work? that is certainly the million dollar question, _ work? that is certainly the million dollar question, given _ work? that is certainly the million dollar question, given that - work? that is certainly the million dollar question, given that it - work? that is certainly the million dollar question, given that it is i dollar question, given that it is voluntary at this moment. the individual auto—makers in the us have been making their own pledges. general motors, for instance, wants to phase out non—electric vehicles entirely by 2035. ford are saying they want to sell non—electric vehicles up to more than 40% of the total portfolio by the same period. that said, it requires a lot of work behind the scenes to go right for this voluntary target to even be met, which is mainly in the form of infrastructure and charging points, which is the domain of the government.— which is the domain of the government. . . . , which is the domain of the government. . ., government. tesla has arguably done more than any — government. tesla has arguably done more than any other— government. tesla has arguably done more than any other company - government. tesla has arguably done more than any other company to - more than any other company to progress the agenda of electric vehicles. they do make up about 70% of all the electric vehicles in the united states. but crucially, they were sort of frozen out at this summit wherejoe biden up was swanning around in that cheap. what is going on there? it is swanning around in that cheap. what is going on there?— is going on there? it is surprising that such a _ is going on there? it is surprising that such a home-grown - is going on there? it is surprising that such a home-grown success|

is going on there? it is surprising i that such a home-grown success as that such a home—grown success as tesla would have been left out. the information from the press secretary was that the auto—makers invited to the summit world basically unionised, which tesla isn't. there is a particular sensitivity in that the auto industry, which contributes to about 3% of gdp, is also among the us, directly and indirectly through the supply chain the auto industry is said to employ about 8 million people. the components are fewer and the production process is simpler, which may lead to a loss of jobs, and that is the balance the administration is trying to tread. do you think president biden will go down as the great climate president? it seems to be what he is gunning for. , ., . it seems to be what he is gunning for. . ,, . ., .. for. this time i think a lot of the measures _ for. this time i think a lot of the measures are _ for. this time i think a lot of the measures are really _ for. this time i think a lot of the measures are really dialling - for. this time i think a lot of the | measures are really dialling back for. this time i think a lot of the i measures are really dialling back of the measures that were reversed during the prior administration. so president obama is really the one who set out very stringent targets

for emissions reduction, which were then rolled back by the trump administration, which offered more concessions to the auto industry. now we are seeing these measures being dialled back again in favour of what president obama had previously announced. this is a step in the right direction. i don't think it is necessarily as a basis as they planned for the uk or the eu, to ban all non—electric vehicles by the 20 30s, but it is a step in the right direction.— by the 20 30s, but it is a step in the right direction. thank you for our time the right direction. thank you for your time and — the right direction. thank you for your time and your _ the right direction. thank you for your time and your insights. - let's turn to the travel industry now. european countries are beginning to demand proof of covid immunity for access to a wide range of venues and services. as of monday, in france, to visit a cafe or board a train you'll need to show a health pass, proving two vaccine doses or recent negative covid test. it's part of an eu—wide scheme. elodie bertah is a paris tour guide. i asked her what the impact on paris would be. unfortunately, i think it will be limited because already we have very few tourists from outside the eu.

so it will not be as devastating as you expect it to be, sadly. if you don't have a double vaccine in france, you have to have a pcr test. how much of that is a restriction on trade and on economic activity in the country? that will be harder, i think. it has to be either the vaccine, the pcr or another test. that is slightly less bothering than the pc or under the results are faster to get. but a number of people still do not have the full vaccine scheme. and it means that even if you want to go for a beer on a terrace in a bar, as of monday, you will need to have a test certificate. i was hearing yesterday in a number of bar owners saying they will return to the previous

takeaway for their beers and coffees and so on. they will ask for the qr code so as not to lose too many clients. this is the problem. these tests only last a couple of days. therefore, if you don't have a double vaccine, you're going to have to keep doing these tests to go out for a beer with your friends. do you feel this health pass is going to have an impact on the vaccination status of french nationals? are more people going to take up the jab? it has started, actually. when the president announced the upcoming measures, the ones that arrive on monday, there was a huge boost on the vaccination activity around the country. even people on holiday were rushing to get the vaccination because it also includes some people forthejob, people are work in hospitals etc. so these people, if they want to go

back to work after their holidays, they need to have the full vaccination. so they were rushing to get their first dose, to have the time to get the second dose before september. it already has a big impact on vaccination activity in the country. but still, a few people remain very hostile to this vaccination. paris, of course, normally such an international destination. perhaps a little bit of relief this week that france has come off the amber—plus watch list for the uk. do you foresee a boost in trade over the next few weeks, or do you think this will be a barrier to trade? again, i'm afraid we still don't have very many visitors, so it won't have a big effect on the numbers. at least not in paris, because paris is not a very big destination in the summer. generally people like to go elsewhere in france in the summer.

again, the numbers are not very high right now. it was very satisfactory that the ban was lifted for france, of course. but it will not translate into a huge amount of people coming in and out of paris right now. now to a classic david and goliath battle — over oat milk. on the one side a multinational business valued at $10 billion on the nasdaq stock market. on the other, a small family run—farm in the uk. on thursday, farmers philip and rebecca rayner won their high court battle against swedish oat milk giant oatly, which accused them of trademark infringement. michelle fleury has more. the swedish company oatly is a pioneer in dairy alternatives made from plants. it produces milk

substitutes made from oats. it is growing quickly. in fact, it has a deal with a singaporean beverage company to bring its products to asia. it has already helped to popularise the new oat milk in the uk, where it began selling shares to the public later this year. but with success comes imitators. at least that is the argument oatly sought to make in a british court. the brand, endorsed by celebrities including oprah winfrey, took britain's glebe farm to court in a bid to stop it selling the pure oaty drink, accusing it of trademark infringement. however, a high courtjudge has ruled in favour of the uk firm, saying that while there were similarities between the initial pure oat milk and packaging, it would be hard to see how this would lead to confusion among consumers. the swedish firm is caught up in another legal dispute in america, with an activist investor accusing

the company of overstating revenue. that is all your business news. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter. i'm @vfritznews. thank you for your time. good morning. we are about to get put through the weather equivalent of the rinse and spin cycle. plenty of showers in the next few days, some heavy and thundery. they are all revolving around an area of low pressure which is stubborn to shift. here it is today, here it is through the weekend, and only slowly moving its way eastwards. plenty of showers around it. not until tuesday will be get a break from those showery conditions. low pressure is centred across parts of southern scotland and northern england today. this is where the downpours,

if they come your way, will be longer lasting. torrential in places. could cause some flooding. more persistent rain in parts of northern scotland, quite a breeze. the showers in the south will push through quicker. a bit more sunshine in between. blustery conditions, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph. it does make for a cool day. nice enough if you get in the sunshine between those downpours. but when the downpours come your way it will feel disappointing for this stage in august. even as you go into the night quite often you expect showers to fade. the showers continue to feed in throughout the night. most persistent in some parts of northern ireland, north wales and into northern ireland. temperatures still holding up, even though the days are cool and the nights not particularly cold. as you go into saturday, low pressure centred across parts of scotland. a slightly drier day for northern scotland. more downpours. the showers pushing through across parts of england and wales.

a dry spell through east anglia and the south east during the middle part of the day. temperatures down on today. there you go, confirmation as we go through saturday night into sunday, the area of low pressure is with us. the strongest winds wrapped around the outside flank. another blustery day in the south. fewer showers here compared to elsewhere. the showers longest lasting across parts of scotland and northern ireland. they could be heavy, thundery, even torrential. temperatures sitting in the teens for most. as we look into next week, there will be respite, particularly on tuesday. southern areas only seeing a few showers. more rain will arrive in the north and west at times.

this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the globe. i'm samantha simmonds. our top stories — wildfires spread rapidly in greece, with emergency services tackling hundreds of fires across the country. the prime minister warns the worst is yet to come. protests across italy as covid vaccine passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. a fifth of all the uk's covid hospital patients are aged between 18 and 34. doctors warn of the dangers facing the young and unvaccinated — we have a special report. and after making its olympic debut, skateboarding made quite an impression in tokyo. we'll be speaking to the us team before they head back home.

hello, and welcome to bbc news. greece has been plunged into an unprecedented environmental crisis, according to the country's prime minister. days of heatwaves have turned the country into a powder keg, and he predicts the worst is yet to come with strong westerly winds expected to fan the flames. as mark lobel reports, villagers are coming under pressure to abandon their homes, as villages like these in the peloponnese burn, the greek prime minister is urging extreme caution. houses can be rebuilt, he says, trees can regrow, however human life cannot be replaced. but abandoning your home is never easy in your 70s. translation: leave and go where, and let my house burn? _

if we had left, this place would have burned. we told the women and elderly and kids to go, and whoever was able stay to help, however they could. crops are at risk, too. so far, 6,000 hectares of land have burned in three days of wildfires, over half of last yea r�*s total. translation: the agricultural wealth of the village has been decimated. - nothing is left. olive trees, sheep, goats, stables, everything. westward winds have blown new life into these fires north of athens. with temperatures well over 40 celsius, the past week has been greece's worst heatwave since the late �*80s. with fires continuing to spread, local politicians have denounced a lack of resources. the army is doubling its efforts, but is our changing

environment to blame? climate change is producing hotter temperatures, and making droughts more frequent, conditions that can fuel wildfires. translation: we have a debt. to shield the country against the reality of climate change. i'm not looking for excuses. we have made important strides in organising the country, but these are not enough when you're faced with a phenomenon of such magnitude. for those that believe such talk is merely a smokescreen, the pm invites them to visit the fires for themselves. fires now spreading across southern europe, where many including spaniards, turks, italians, albanians, and north macedonians are also asking, just what is behind this summer heatwave that's causing familiar seasonal fires to act in such extreme ways? mark lobel, bbc news.

nikolia apostolou is a freelance journalist. she travels between athens and kalamata in greece, and she gave us an update on developments. this is the fourth day greece is battling the wildfires, so thousands of greeks have fled their homes, and fires even reached an ancient archaeological site. right now, the biggest fire is in athens, on the outskirts, and in evia. critics are saying that the fire in athens could have been contained quickly on tuesday, something that did not happen, and has resulted in so many houses being destroyed. finally, not enough is being done for climate change, for example fire protection zones, so the economic crisis in 2008,

the austerity policy has left the fire department understaffed and without enough equipment. yeah, the greek prime minister has said the time for criticism for criticism will come, but it is not stopping those criticising the government, and there's a fear that there just is not the staff within the fire service to deal with catastrophic fires. exactly. there is european help on the way, 100 french and cypriot firefighters are coming, but the winds we are expecting this afternoon, that might not be enough. and what are people saying about the urgency with which they are being told to leave their homes? because as we saw in that report, many are determined to stay, aren't they? yes, they are staying especially in cases where they do not see any help, any firefighters there, any helicopters and planes.

i think that is when people are staying to save their homes. and the fear is that the winds will continue fires will get worse? exactly. the prime minister said that yesterday, basically.- the prime minister said that yesterday, basically. what are ieo i le yesterday, basically. what are people being _ yesterday, basically. what are people being told _ yesterday, basically. what are people being told today? - yesterday, basically. what are people being told today? how| yesterday, basically. what are - people being told today? how many people being told today? how many people are affected by these fires now? ., , , . ., now? thousands. it is hard to count riiht now now? thousands. it is hard to count right now because _ now? thousands. it is hard to count right now because there _ now? thousands. it is hard to count right now because there are - now? thousands. it is hard to count right now because there are many i right now because there are many different fires around the country. venues across italy are introducing an obligatory covid "green pass" from today, meaning access will only be allowed with either a vaccination certificate, a negative test, or proof of recovery from the virus. the measure will be extended to universities and transport next month. mark lowen reports. a night at the opera — tickets, temperature check, and, from today, the mandatory green pass — a covid vaccination certificate, negative test, or proof of recovery, as italy

tightens its rules from theatres to restaurants, gyms to cafes. this is how it will work in practice. i come up to the venue in question. i present my green pass, which, in my case, is a vaccination certificate. it's verified. this device doesn't save the data. i present my id card, and i am allowed to enter. it is a big change and a big challenge for those involved. nobody told us how to face covid, you know, so at the beginning, we were afraid, we were nervous, we were anxious. then, month by month, we solved new problems giving new solutions, and after 18 months we built a little bit of self—confidence, so let's say now that the situation is — it is not a problem. this is another problem regarding covid. tonight's treat — aida. ajewel of verdi. this ancient amphitheatre in a new pandemic era.

verona's arena has already adapted to covid. fewer performers, masks, and half capacity. but, with the green pass, the drama has moved offstage, too. parliament had to be suspended after protests from far—right mps. and while polls show 70% of italians in favour, vocal demonstrations have broken out across the country. much of the opposition is from restaurateurs, their patience already worn by lockdowns. translation: we shouldn't have to police this, - it's not ourjob, and we shouldn't deal with sensitive data. the government will make us argue with customers who want to sit inside without the pass. we will have to comply, but we have already had cancellations. are you no—vax? absolutely not, i am neither for nor against,

i am a restaurateur. it has gotten nasty for medics supporting the green pass. this woman received a death threat through whatsapp, evoking the nazi trials at nuremberg. other messages were on facebook, and they came from her colleagues. translation: i really felt in danger. - what upset me most was that the threats were from health workers. they, like us, were heroes of the pandemic and now some of them are no—vax. i felt broken and thought about giving up everything, but then i realised i must go on and show that they are the ones at fault. at the arena, too, the show will go on, though with new checks for the opera lovers. italy is beginning another act in its covid story, but the unity felt last year is fading. mark lowen, bbc news, verona.

a beautiful morning here in verona, and a big day as well as businesses begin to introduce this change, among them cafes with indoor seating areas. and as you can see here, they have already put up the green pass signs for customers telling them they will have to show their qr code before they go in to take a table. let's go in and see how this is all shaping up. still the mask obligation to come inside places like this. you can see how difficult life is in italy these days, with these fantastic cakes and the italian espresso there as well. and marco, my first question, how do you ensure you do not eat everything before you serve it? it is so beautiful. thank you. i try. are you ready for the green pass change? yes, i try to be. how difficult is it?

do you have the app already on your phone? yes. press here, and then the person shows the green pass, and we see if it is right or not. have you already have to use it for customers this morning? yes, only once this morning. and she had the green pass. so we did not have any problems. what was her attitude? what do you feel about the behaviour, the response of the customers you will have? are you worried you will have argumentative customers or people who will reject it? i think some customers will be trouble, will complain. but i hope we find people with the green pass. are you supportive of this, do you believe it is the right idea? yes, i support. thank you very much, marco. so i think this is an attempt really by the government to ensure that italians vaccinate. about 60% of italians

are now fully vaccinated. the green pass measure is now going to be extended to transport, schools, and universities also by next month, as the first country in the west to have been crushed by the pandemic takes no chances. let's get some of the day's other news. two coaches from belarus have been stripped of their accreditation and asked to leave the olympic village in tokyo, over their alleged attempt to force an athlete to return home. the president of the international olympic committee, thomas bach, has said the treatment of the sprinter krystina timanovskaya was deplorable. he said the ioc was happy that she was now safe in poland, where she has been granted a humanitarian visa. apple has revealed new safety tools will be introduced in the united states, which can scan photos and messages on people's phones to check for material showing child sex abuse. the company insists the measures will protect users' privacy, but some security experts are concerned. extra flights have been scheduled from mexico to help

hundreds of brits return to the uk ahead of new quarantine rules which come into force on sunday morning. anyone arriving after 4am will need to pay for the hotel where they self—isolate. the country is being added to the red list as part of changes to the uk's traffic light system. and here in the uk, music festivals and other live events are to be protected by government—backed insurance if they have to cancel because of covid. the £750 million scheme, which begins next month, comes after organisers appealed for more support. more than half of all festivals have been cancelled this summer. stay with us on bbc news, still to come — it's not just parts of europe suffering from rapidly spreading wildfires, as thousands of residents are urged to evacuate in california. and we will speak to the us olympic skateboarding team before they head back home. fuel prices for around 15 million homes in england, scotland and wales will rise by £139

in the autumn. the regulator, ofgem, has increased prices for a second time this year, as wholesale gas prices reach a record high. campaigners are warning of a "harsh winter" for families on low incomes. the new limit could mean the average annual bill may be almost £1,300 pounds. justina miltonite is from the comparison website uswitch. the price gap primarily affects customers who are on a default tariff, so these are customers that have not switched their energy supplier for a really long time, or have moved homes and have not yet fixed their deals. the other group of people will be prepayment customers, who are usually in a more precarious financial situation already, so it will really affect people who could do with a bit of relief.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines — wildfires spread rapidly in greece, with emergency services tackling hundreds of fires across the country. the prime minister warns the worst is yet to come. there have been protests across italy, as covid vaccine passes become mandatory for restaurants, sporting events, and live performances. doctors in leeds in west yorkshire in the north of england say they are treating greater numbers of coronavirus patients in hospital who are younger and unvaccinated. it comes as the head of nhs england has said that one in five patients on wards in the country is aged between 18 and 34. leeds teaching hospital has taken the unusual step of allowing us to film on one of their covid—19 wards to highlight the risks younger people face by not having the jab. our health correspondent jamie coulson has this exclusive report. coughing.

can you imagine yourself being stabbed in the back? that's what it feels like. you breathe, and you're getting stabbed at the same time. every time you take a breath, someone stabs you. three days ago, this man was admitted to stjames' hospital in leeds in excruciating pain. the 25—year—old international student is like many patients hospitals are now seeing in greater numbers. he is younger and unvaccinated. i am really worried, because all the pain is going on inside my lungs, and it's moving around. i heard some people after they recover from covid, their lungs don't work 100%. were you vaccinated? i haven't. i was booking for a vaccination, but i got the covid first.

violent coughing. hello. sorry to interrupt your dinner. this is one of the respiratory consultants on the covid wards. he says it is concerning they are seeing a greater proportion of younger patients. what he has got is a complication of covid, it's a blood clot on his lungs, secondary to the covid inflammation. now, we now know that covid increases the chance of getting blood clots significantly, and there has been a big surge in the number of patients we are seeing with blood clots following covid. hopefully the pain will get better in the next day or so. these people are young and fit, most of them, and they are still getting serious covid, and we have to provide them with a lot of support. they are staying in hospital, some of them, for quite long periods, and there is also a cost in terms of their recovery, and because they are in their working life, it has got implications in the long term. this is one of three dedicated

covid wards at the trust, and here, like elsewhere, they have seen an increase in the number of patients needing help in recent weeks. and a significant proportion of them are either unvaccinated or only single jabbed. after weeks of rising cases, the number of covid patients at the trust has remained at about 100 for the last seven days. without the vaccine, doctors say the situation could be much worse. if you think about the total number of patients testing positive in the country, compared to the number of hospital admissions, there is no comparison compared to the first and second wave. so the overall numbers of admissions have significantly gone down, and the only thing that is different is the vaccine. and when they end up in hospital, what i am seeing, the patients who have had a vaccine tend to do better. coughing. take the vaccine. i don't think any other people want to experience what i am experiencing right now, like feeling in pain every day, not to mention even the painkillers

couldn't help you. jamie coulson, bbc news. to the olympics now, and there's been a number of events so far on day 14, with 23 medals up for grabs. the summer heat has been taking its toll, with some events being resheduled to avoid the highest temperatures. the bbc�*s sarah mulkerrins has all the latest from tokyo. the heat has been a big factor today in tokyo. the first medal awarded was on the men's 50 kilometre race walk, that set off in northern japan in order to try and have a cooler climate for those athletes. that set off at 5.30am local time in order for the athletes to try to get through that gruelling endurance event, and the winner was able to stretch clear in the second half of the race to claim the gold medal

there. really good talking point as well from that race was a spanish athlete and his eighth olympics, he has competed in every one since barcelona 1992, he is 51 years old, and that is a record in athletics. elsewhere, bracing themselves for the heatwave was the woman's football final, the gold medal match between canada and sweden. they asked organisers to move it from the morning to the evening, that has happened, so they will now play later in the day here in tokyo in that gold medal match. a couple of other medals awarded, the bronze medal match in women's hockey, that went the way of great britain, a thrilling game between great britain and india, a goal in the final quarter had great britain winning that one for — three. and a gold medalfor the usa and that one for — three. and a gold medal for the usa and the women's beach volleyball —— winning 4—3. they beat australia by two sets to

love. one of the new events debuting at the tokyo games winning fans around the globe has been the skateboarding. many of the competators are young and the comaraderie between the athletes has added to their popularity. bryce wettstein competed in the skateboarding final. she's about to head home with the rest of team usa at tokyo's narita airport, and joins me now. welcome. hello. bryce, you're 16, welcome. hello. bryce, you're16, ou welcome. hello. bryce, you're16, you started _ welcome. hello. bryce, you're16, you started skateboarding - welcome. hello. bryce, you're16, you started skateboarding when i welcome. hello bryce, you're16, you started skateboarding when you were seven. tell us what it is like competing in an olympic games representing your country. it is kind of the _ representing your country. it 3 kind of the biggest dream in the whole world. i thought i was going to go to the olympics last year when

i was 16, and to go to the olympics last year when iwas16, and it to go to the olympics last year when i was 16, and it is probably one of the biggest honours of our lives to be able to represent the place we were born in and that we love at the olympics. bind were born in and that we love at the ol miics. �* .. were born in and that we love at the olmiics. . ., were born in and that we love at the olmiics.�* ., , were born in and that we love at the olmiics. . ., , ., olympics. and how has it been for ou? it olympics. and how has it been for you? it has _ olympics. and how has it been for you? it has been _ olympics. and how has it been for you? it has been good. _ olympics. and how has it been for you? it has been good. such - olympics. and how has it been for you? it has been good. such a - olympics. and how has it been for. you? it has been good. such a great exierience you? it has been good. such a great experience being _ you? it has been good. such a great experience being there, _ you? it has been good. such a great experience being there, we - you? it has been good. such a great experience being there, we skated i experience being there, we skated together— experience being there, we skated together when we were nine years old, together when we were nine years old. so _ together when we were nine years old. sojust— together when we were nine years old, sojust being here and experience in that, we will remember this forever, — experience in that, we will remember this forever, it was really special. how much — this forever, it was really special. how much pressure did you feel competing in the first ever skateboarding at the olympics? definitely a lot of pressure going into this, — definitely a lot of pressure going into this, just _ definitely a lot of pressure going into this, just to _ definitely a lot of pressure going into this, just to be _ definitely a lot of pressure going into this, just to be able - definitely a lot of pressure going into this, just to be able to - into this, just to be able to represent _ into this, just to be able to represent our— into this, just to be able to represent our country- into this, just to be able to represent our country on i into this, just to be able to i represent our country on such into this, just to be able to - represent our country on such a high levet _ represent our country on such a high levet the _ represent our country on such a high levet the first — represent our country on such a high level. the first ever _ represent our country on such a high level. the first ever skateboarders i level. the first ever skateboarders in the _ level. the first ever skateboarders in the olympics _ level. the first ever skateboarders in the olympics. but _ level. the first ever skateboarders in the olympics. but when - level. the first ever skateboarders in the olympics. but when it - level. the first ever skateboardersi in the olympics. but when it comes down _ in the olympics. but when it comes down to— in the olympics. but when it comes down to it. — in the olympics. but when it comes down to it. or— in the olympics. but when it comes down to it, or we _ in the olympics. but when it comes down to it, or we really— in the olympics. but when it comes down to it, or we really had - in the olympics. but when it comes down to it, or we really had to - down to it, or we really had to think— down to it, or we really had to think about _ down to it, or we really had to think about why— down to it, or we really had to think about why we _ down to it, or we really had to think about why we are - down to it, or we really had to think about why we are here i down to it, or we really had to| think about why we are here to down to it, or we really had to - think about why we are here to get all that— think about why we are here to get all that pressure _ think about why we are here to get all that pressure off, _ think about why we are here to get all that pressure off, and - think about why we are here to get all that pressure off, and that- think about why we are here to get all that pressure off, and that is. all that pressure off, and that is because — all that pressure off, and that is

because we _ all that pressure off, and that is because we love _ all that pressure off, and that is because we love skateboarding. all that pressure off, and that is. because we love skateboarding. so all that pressure off, and that is- because we love skateboarding. so we went out, _ because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did — because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did the _ because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did the best— because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did the best we _ because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did the best we could, - because we love skateboarding. so we went out, did the best we could, and i went out, did the best we could, and went out, did the best we could, and we made _ went out, did the best we could, and we made history. _ went out, did the best we could, and we made history, so— went out, did the best we could, and we made history, so it _ went out, did the best we could, and we made history, so it is _ went out, did the best we could, and we made history, so it is a _ we made history, so it is a really awesome — we made history, so it is a really awesome viewing. _ we made history, so it is a really awesome viewing. i— we made history, so it is a really awesome viewing.— we made history, so it is a really awesome viewing. i am interested to read that in — awesome viewing. i am interested to read that in one _ awesome viewing. i am interested to read that in one interview, _ awesome viewing. i am interested to read that in one interview, you - awesome viewing. i am interested to read that in one interview, you said i read that in one interview, you said you were not in it for the gold. what does that mean? because for most olympic athletes, it is all about the medals.— most olympic athletes, it is all about the medals. what i am in it for is because _ about the medals. what i am in it for is because there _ about the medals. what i am in it for is because there is _ about the medals. what i am in it for is because there is so - about the medals. what i am in it for is because there is so much i for is because there is so much love, more and more conversions and more of this beauty that comes out of doing it with the people you love, something you love, rather thanjust love, something you love, rather than just going towards something for a goal. you have to remember to be momentous and grasp everything as it comes to you, rather than always trying to strive towards the medals, because if you do that you miss out often the presence in the sheer love you were brought up with. my team—mates are part of my family, answers skateboarding, so that is why we are here, too, because those are the things we will cherish the most. .. .. are the things we will cherish the most. ., ,. i. . are the things we will cherish the most. ., . , most. you said you have been skateboarding _ most. you said you have been skateboarding from _ most. you said you have been skateboarding from overly - most. you said you have been i skateboarding from overly young most. you said you have been - skateboarding from overly young age.

earlier this year we saw british skateboarder skye brown, whojust 13, and we were covering the story of her passengers, it is a dangerous sport, isn't it? when you go into this, is there a level of fear, do you just have to put that to the back of your mind? —— sky brown. skateboarding has a lot of muscle memory— skateboarding has a lot of muscle memory to it, it is reallyjust fun, but there's— memory to it, it is reallyjust fun, but there's also a lot of discipline as well, _ but there's also a lot of discipline as well, and i think that skateboarders cannot do with think about— skateboarders cannot do with think about that, because if you do, you are not— about that, because if you do, you are not going to skate well, so it isi'ust_ are not going to skate well, so it isi'ust more _ are not going to skate well, so it isjust more fun than are not going to skate well, so it is just more fun than focusing are not going to skate well, so it isjust more fun than focusing on hurting _ isjust more fun than focusing on hurting yourself, i guess. tell isjust more fun than focusing on hurting yourself, i guess.- hurting yourself, i guess. tell us about what _ hurting yourself, i guess. tell us about what it _ hurting yourself, i guess. tell us about what it has _ hurting yourself, i guess. tell us about what it has been _ hurting yourself, i guess. tell us about what it has been like - about what it has been like competing in this olympics, and what it means for the future of skateboarding now, do you think you have got a whole new generation of fans? . . ,.. , ~' have got a whole new generation of fans? . ,,., , ,, . fans? absolutely. i think that havini fans? absolutely. i think that having skateboarding - fans? absolutely. i think that having skateboarding being i fans? absolutely. i think that| having skateboarding being in fans? absolutely. i think that - having skateboarding being in the olympics— having skateboarding being in the olympics has— having skateboarding being in the olympics has really— having skateboarding being in the olympics has really opened - having skateboarding being in the olympics has really opened the i having skateboarding being in the i olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot _ olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot of— olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot of people _ olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot of people who _ olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot of people who don't - olympics has really opened the eyes to a lot of people who don't really i to a lot of people who don't really understand — to a lot of people who don't really understand our— to a lot of people who don't really understand our sport, _ to a lot of people who don't really understand our sport, and - to a lot of people who don't really understand our sport, and kind i to a lot of people who don't really understand our sport, and kind of| understand our sport, and kind of

look down — understand our sport, and kind of look down on _ understand our sport, and kind of look down on skateboarding. - understand our sport, and kind of look down on skateboarding. so i| look down on skateboarding. sol feel like — look down on skateboarding. sol feel like now— look down on skateboarding. sol feel like now after— look down on skateboarding. sol feel like now after seeing - look down on skateboarding. sol feel like now after seeing us - look down on skateboarding. sol feel like now after seeing us and | feel like now after seeing us and seeing _ feel like now after seeing us and seeing that— feel like now after seeing us and seeing that we _ feel like now after seeing us and seeing that we are _ feel like now after seeing us and seeing that we are actually - feel like now after seeing us and seeing that we are actually reali seeing that we are actually real athletes — seeing that we are actually real athletes who _ seeing that we are actually real athletes who are _ seeing that we are actually real athletes who are competing - seeing that we are actually real athletes who are competing inl seeing that we are actually reali athletes who are competing in a seeing that we are actually real- athletes who are competing in a real sport. _ athletes who are competing in a real sport. i_ athletes who are competing in a real sport. ifeel— athletes who are competing in a real sport, i feel like _ athletes who are competing in a real sport, i feel like more _ athletes who are competing in a real sport, ifeel like more parents - athletes who are competing in a real sport, i feel like more parents to- sport, ifeel like more parents to want _ sport, ifeel like more parents to want their— sport, ifeel like more parents to want their kids _ sport, ifeel like more parents to want their kids to _ sport, ifeel like more parents to want their kids to skate, - sport, ifeel like more parents to want their kids to skate, more i want their kids to skate, more people — want their kids to skate, more people are _ want their kids to skate, more people are going _ want their kids to skate, more people are going to _ want their kids to skate, more people are going to want - want their kids to skate, more people are going to want to i people are going to want to skate, so it is— think, the one thing you will hold with you for the rest of your life from these olympics?— with you for the rest of your life from these olympics? that's really hard. obviously _ from these olympics? that's really hard. obviously all— from these olympics? that's really hard. obviously all the _ from these olympics? that's really hard. obviously all the memories i | hard. obviously all the memories i have with these two and the rest of the team, but there was a moment where we all lifted up one of our team—mates, appears so dedicated to what she does, and we lifted her up to just show her that what she holds us so much more than just a podium or a gold medal, she can represent so much more than that. she is probably one of the biggest attributes that i will remember,

being able to lift her out. thanks so much all— being able to lift her out. thanks so much all of _ being able to lift her out. thanks so much all of you _ being able to lift her out. thanks so much all of you for— being able to lift her out. thanks so much all of you for talking - being able to lift her out. thanks so much all of you for talking to l so much all of you for talking to us, safejourney home, and enjoy all the times you have had and the memories you will hold dear. thank you so much. thank you for watching, bye for now. plenty of showers over the next few days, some of them heavy and thundery at times, all revolving around an area of low pressure which is stubborn to shift. here it is today and through the weekend, only slowly moving its way eastwards. plenty of showers around it, not until we get to tuesday will we get a break from those showery conditions. out there today, low pressure centred across parts of southern scotland and northern england, so where it's centred, the winds are light us. if the downpours come your way, there will be longer lasting, torrential in places, could cause some flooding.

more persistent rain across parts of northern scotland with quite a breeze, the showers in the south pushing through much quicker, so a small portion of the day here wet with something in between. winds up to 50 mph at times. making very fairly cold day, nice enough of you get in the sunshine between those downpours, but when the rain comes your way, it will feel a bit disappointing for the time of year. into the night, you often expect showers to fade, but because of the area of low pressure right over us, the showers continue to fade into the net. most persistent parts of northern england, north wales and then to northern ireland. but temperatures still holding up, even though the days are a cool know it's not particularly cold, temperatures in the teens for most. saturday, low pressure across parts of scotland, a slightly drier day for northern scotland, warning new way of downpours, longer lasting ones, southern scotland and northern ireland and northern england. showers pushing through across parts of england and wales, a dry spell through east anglia, and the south—east, during the middle part of the day. temperatures if anything a little bit down on today at�*s values.

saturday night into sunday, the area of low pressure with us, the strongest winds wrapped around the outside like, so another blustery day across the south. fewer showers here compared to what we will see elsewhere. showers longest lasting across parts of scotland and northern ireland, and again, could be heavy, thundery, even torrential in places. temperatures for most sitting in the teens. as we take a look into next week, there will be respite as i said, particularly on tuesday, southern areas seeing a few showers around, some of them will stay dry for much of the week, but more rain arriving at times in the north and west.

this is bbc news. the headlines. wildfires are threatening large parts of greece, as strengthening winds fuel more than 150 fires. dozens of towns and villages have been evacuated. the greek prime minister has said many people are facing what he called a menacing stage. there have been protests across italy, after the introduction of obligatory covid green passes to gain access to restaurants, sporting events and live performances. the measure will be extended to universities and transport from next month. in the uk, music festivals and other live events are to be protected by government—backed insurance worth £750 million if they have to cancel because of covid—19. one of the world's greatest footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona, where he's spent his entire career. the spanish club said financial and structural obstacles had prevented a new contract deal with the argentine striker.

now for all the sport, here is mike bushell. thank you very much indeed. team gb's women's hockey team have kept up their tradition of winning olympic medals, by claiming bronze in a thrilling roller—coaster of a match, against india. the olympic champions from rio may have missed out on the final, which will feature the netherlands and argentina later, but they've still managed to get on the podium in tokyo, as michael redford reports. under the burning sun in tokyo, one final chance to shine. for great britain and india, it was now or never. who could handle the heat? the two teams had already met in the group stage, with great britain winning 4—1. the early stages here suggested a similar scoreline seemed likely. britain's dominance eventually told.— likely. britain's dominance eventually told. likely. britain's dominance eventuall told. . . .

eventually told. came off an indian ila er. eventually told. came off an indian player- and — eventually told. came off an indian player. and great _ eventually told. came off an indian player. and great britain _ eventually told. came off an indian player. and great britain are - eventually told. came off an indian | player. and great britain are ahead. it was a gold that woke india up. what i save from maddie hinch! that save was all — what i save from maddie hinch! that save was all the _ what i save from maddie hinch! that save was all the more important that shortly after sarah robertson picked the perfect time to score her first goal of the tournament. great britain in control. maybe not. gorge it core with a decisive finish. when india had a second penalty corner moments later, great britain didn't learn their lesson. iiidr moments later, great britain didn't learn their lesson.— moments later, great britain didn't learn their lesson._ the i learn their lesson. ndr level! the momentum _ learn their lesson. ndr level! the momentum are _ learn their lesson. ndr level! the momentum are changed. - learn their lesson. ndr level! the momentum are changed. india . learn their lesson. ndr level! the i momentum are changed. india now learn their lesson. ndr level! the - momentum are changed. india now in control and in front at half—time. what had begun as a dream quarter turned into a bit of a nightmare. they needed somebody to awaken them from their slumber. step forward captain hollie pearne—webb. all square, the match now delicately poised. it swung in favour of gb. grace balsdon with the effort. the relief clear for all to see. this time there would be no comeback. it

has been a tough five years. really, really _ has been a tough five years. really, really tough. and i can be proud of them _ really tough. and i can be proud of them all. _ really tough. and i can be proud of them all. we are all here because we still had _ them all. we are all here because we still had that little bit of believe deep _ still had that little bit of believe deep down. they have been lots of times— deep down. they have been lots of times over— deep down. they have been lots of times over the years when we doubted if we could _ times over the years when we doubted if we could achieve this. and i'm 'ust if we could achieve this. and i'm just so— if we could achieve this. and i'm just so pleased and proud of everyone that we have. bronze in 2012, everyone that we have. bronze in 2012. gold _ everyone that we have. bronze in 2012. gold in _ everyone that we have. bronze in 2012, gold in 2016, _ everyone that we have. bronze in 2012, gold in 2016, bronze - everyone that we have. bronze in 2012, gold in 2016, bronze in - everyone that we have. bronze in i 2012, gold in 2016, bronze in 2021. for a third successive olympic games, great britain's hockey team are celebrating once again. michael radford, bbc news. great news for team gb boxer lauren price, who will fight for a gold medal on the final day of tokyo 2020, after winning her middleweight semi—final on friday. it was nip and tuck all the way, and got even tougher for price against her dutch opponent, nouchka fontjin, when she was docked a point for excessive holding in the second round. but against an opponent she has faced in several major finals, price fought back in the last round to edge victory, to book her place in the gold—medal contest on sunday.

the olympic gold medallist diver, tom daley, is going for a second medal at these games, this time in the 10 metre, individual platform. it's qualifying today, with the semi—finals tomorrow. but daley and fellow brit noah williams have work to do if they're to make the cut, after disappointing first dives, daley has improved and is currently in the last of the 18 qualifying places. the usa are on top of the beach volleyball world again, and they really are the a team. the american duo of april ross, and alix klineman only dropped one set in the entire tournament on their way to gold. and after the final win over australia, they had a new fan. mr t, from the a team tweeted his approval.

now, away from the olympics, records have been broken in football. it's a dream come true, joining manchester city, says jack grealish, after his transfer from aston villa for a british record fee of £100 million. the lure of trophies and champions league football was enough for grealish to leave the club he's supported since he was a boy. he's signed a six—year contract at city, and will wear the number 10 shirt, recently vacated by sergio aguero. meanwhile, it's got rather messy for leone messi at barcelona. financial issues and complying with the transfer and wages rules in la liga forced the club to say the 34—year—old star won't be getting a new contract now and his time there was over. he has been a free agent for a month now, but had been set to stay. although pundits in spain, believe it's not the end of the matter. a lot of talking to be done, apparently. the opening test match

between india and england is likely to face more disruption today because of rain. england back in the match afterjames anderson starred with the ball. that is all the sport. see you later. there's a call for people with needle phobia to be exempt from any covid vaccine passport scheme. the condition causes an extreme fear of injections and in many cases anxiety around just seeing a needle. a recent study suggests the phobia accounts for around a tenth of vaccine hesitancy in the uk. luxmy gopal reports. adam is getting his first covid jab, or desperately trying to. the 23—year—old suffers from needle phobia and anxiety. it's not widely recognised, 0k? a lot of people just say shut your eyes, forget about it, focus on something else. it doesn't work that way. it is far more severe than just

a fear and an aversion to needles. it's as if the world is ending type of thing at that moment. you can't focus on anything. it's not so much the pain of the injection, it's the thought of it piercing the skin. three days ago, he came in for his first attempt. we spent five hours. we went from being in a state of severe panic to being able to sit with a needle a few inches away. i didn't get the jab. i rebooked for today. then we had three hours. vaccine clinics have resources on hand for those who need more time or one—to—one support. the majority, especially the younger generation, we have a lot of people worried and scared about needles. my advice to them is they can bring friends, family members, they can ask for a side room, they can call the vaccine cites beforehand to get an idea of what precautions, what steps are being put in place to help them. tackling this phobia

could make a real dent in vaccine hesitancy rates. a study by researchers from oxford university indicates that of those who are vaccine hesitant in the uk, for around one in ten the significant factor is a fear of needles. the charity, anxiety uk, hopes any plans for covid passports would have exemptions for people with the condition. we shouldn't be discriminating against those with needle phobia or needle anxiety. it must be recognised that there is a genuine and real fear in some people. they need help and support. it would be unfair to not allow them to be considered to be included in some form of exemption scheme if that was allowed, if that was taken forward. the department of health says it encourages people to have the vaccine as it can save lives. it says it is working to ensure those who can't have it for medical reasons and disadvantage. but for this group of unvaccinated, it is not about being anti—vax. after hours of trying again,

adam doesn't quite manage the jab but has rebooked and is determined to give it another shot. luxmy gopal, bbc news. ofgem announce their latest price cap today, for those on dualfuel bills — and it's expected that rising wholesale costs for gas and electricity could see consumers face record price rises. with me isjonathan brearley, ceo of ofgem. welcome to you. thank you for being with us. bring us up on what exactly this cap is going to be and why it is so high? the this cap is going to be and why it is so high?— this cap is going to be and why it issohiih? . . ., , is so high? the price cap does limit iieole is so high? the price cap does limit people who — is so high? the price cap does limit people who don't — is so high? the price cap does limit people who don't shop _ is so high? the price cap does limit people who don't shop around - is so high? the price cap does limit people who don't shop around for i is so high? the price cap does limit i people who don't shop around for the best tarot. what we have done today is, because we have seen a record increase impossible fuel prices across the board, also petrol and diesel, we had to think that through

to the calculation that due to the price cap. what the price cap does is it make sure we don't go back to the bad old days when companies charged on fair profits on top of the amount you pay. clearly when input costs change, that limit does need to change. our advice is really clear. we know this is going to put people in very difficult circumstances and we work closely with charities and indeed with customers themselves, so we would encourage every customer who is concerned to get in touch with their supplier and make sure they get access to the help and support available. and if you can, shop around and get the best possible tariff. . . , . . . tariff. this will affect about half of uk households? _ tariff. this will affect about half of uk households? about - tariff. this will affect about half of uk households? about 15 . tariff. this will affect about half - of uk households? about 15 million households- _ of uk households? about 15 million households. for— of uk households? about 15 million households. for each _ of uk households? about 15 million households. for each and - of uk households? about 15 million households. for each and every - of uk households? about 15 million| households. for each and every one of them, get in touch with your supplier, ask them to put you in a better tariff and equally get access to the health and support available. what kind of health and support is there? . . . ., , there? there are a range of things su- iliers there? there are a range of things suppliers can _ there? there are a range of things suppliers can do- _ there? there are a range of things suppliers can do. we _ there? there are a range of things suppliers can do. we have - there? there are a range of things suppliers can do. we have the - there? there are a range of things i suppliers can do. we have the warm home discount scheme. customers can

get about £140 off the energy bill. equally, off gem have put very strict rules in place to make sure companies treat you fairly if you're struggling to pay your bills. we have about 1 struggling to pay your bills. we have about1 million people on affordable repayment plans as a result. there are a range of things they can do. they can put you in touch with debt advisers if it turns out that customers are struggling to pay their energy bills face other financial issues within their family. there are a lot of things you can do to manage this. we accept this is a big change. my message to the industry, and my message to all the industry, and my message to all the charities and others, including government, is we need to redouble our efforts and make sure that we support people through this big change. we have worked well during the covid crisis and we need to continue to do so.— the covid crisis and we need to continue to do so. when the energy ca i continue to do so. when the energy cai was continue to do so. when the energy cap was introduced _ continue to do so. when the energy cap was introduced it _ continue to do so. when the energy cap was introduced it was _ continue to do so. when the energy cap was introduced it was to - continue to do so. when the energyj cap was introduced it was to protect customers from unscrupulous energy companies. is it working when we see a rise like this? if companies. is it working when we see a rise like this?—

a rise like this? if you go back into a time — a rise like this? if you go back into a time before _ a rise like this? if you go back into a time before the - a rise like this? if you go back into a time before the cap, i a rise like this? if you go back- into a time before the cap, energy profits were very high. the price cap takes £1 billion in profit away from the company and put that back into the pockets of customers. unfortunately, we have to adjust it when the going price of gas itself changes, because we can't ask companies to sell you energy at a price that is less than they have to pay to buy it. please do get in touch with your supplier and get access to all the help and support thatis access to all the help and support that is out there. there's a lot that is out there. there's a lot that can be done to support you through this difficult change. thank ou for through this difficult change. thank you for being _ through this difficult change. thank you for being with _ through this difficult change. thank you for being with us. _ uk music festivals and other live events are to be protected by a government—backed insurance scheme if they have to cancel because of covid. it will begin next month with a £750 million budget to cover cancellation costs if events are legally unable to happen due to government covid restrictions. let's speak now to jamie njoku—goodwin, chief executive of uk music. welcome to you. thank you for being

with us. this is something the uk music industry has long been calling for. you must be pretty please? lode for. you must be pretty please? we are for. you must be pretty please? 7 are thrilled with this. we have had issues for the past year where insurers have not wanted to ensure major events because of the risk of calculation. many events have not been able to go ahead without that insurance. you had a market failure. you have seen lots of events this summer been cancelled already. glastonbury, boom town, british summertime. we were very concerned that we would still be seeing cancellations into next year because they would be that lack of insurance. there would still be a huge risk of potentially things been cancelled and the industry would not have the confidence to plan events. we have been calling for action from government on insurance and the government on insurance and the government has delivered that today. we are thrilled.— we are thrilled. labour say it is the bare minimum _ we are thrilled. labour say it is the bare minimum and - we are thrilled. labour say it is the bare minimum and relievel the bare minimum and relieve promoters at risk. do you share those concerns? it

promoters at risk. do you share those concerns?— promoters at risk. do you share those concerns? it is a key point. this scheme _ those concerns? it is a key point. this scheme covers _ those concerns? it is a key point. this scheme covers cancellations| those concerns? it is a key point. i this scheme covers cancellations in the event of a full lockdown. it doesn't cover cancellations because of social distancing or enforced capacity reduction. we would like to see this conversation moved away from thinking that if case rates should up we are going to go back to reduce capacity. that is not viable for the industry and it is not covered by the scheme. none of us want to see more restrictions. we hope we are out of this. if we do start to see a situation emerging choir the government is looking at new restrictions, those conversations should be around things like certification and testing at full capacity, rather than reduced capacity. that would be catastrophic for the industry. iiirui’ith catastrophic for the industry. with this insurance _ catastrophic for the industry. with this insurance now, _ catastrophic for the industry. with this insurance now, do you see concerts returning to the levels they were at, festivals as well? it is going to be a really long road out of this pandemic. but this insurance issue, across the sector people have said this is one of the key things that i stopped us coming back to where we were before. as we

are looking to come out of this pandemic, economic recovery, music festivals, large events are going to be some of the things that help that. glastonbury generates hundreds of millions of pounds for the local area. concerts across the country have to create jobs, growth, growth throughout the supply chains, as we are looking to recover from this pandemic large risk events can be the driver of this post pandemic economic and cultural recovery. this insurance scheme is a good example of that. . .. insurance scheme is a good example of that. . ,, , ., the fa says it's committed to getting more british asian women into football. its figures show on average only one in ten of those playing at grassroots level is asian, and under—representation is even more of a problem when it comes to the professional game. it comes as government research suggests asian women are the least now clubs — like the newly set—up southall athletic fc — are trying to change that. anisa kadri caught up with them at training.

she shoots, she scores. southall athletic fc women's side welcomes women from all backgrounds. but because of its location within a very asian area, it provides opportunities for lots british asian women to play. you just need a release with a group of girls that understand you. you just want to have fun, but play at a competitive level. there is a big taboo. indian girls shouldn't play football, they should get married, they shouldn't be doing certain things. for us, as a team we are trying to break the taboo. the team has already won a tournament, but they have faced racism along the way. they would say a few words like curry, the p word. she said something underneath her breath, i got agitated, i went into her face and the referee goes to me, are you trying to get sent off? he didn't hear what she said. the club wants people to let them know if they are racially abused

so it can be dealt with. referees, coaches, players, they should _ referees, coaches, players, they should all— referees, coaches, players, they should all be concerned with racism in the _ should all be concerned with racism in the game. it is something that i had myself, when i was playing as a younger kid, until i was about 20, i encountered racism the whole way. the goal of southall athletic fc try to make the sport more accessible, more diverse and more exciting. it comes at a time of the fa is trying to encourage more asian girls and women in play football. this video of rising star layla has been released by the fa to encourage more asian girls and women to get involved in football. we are doing research with young girls around what they want. we are also working with various people from the muslim faith on the sport hijab and how important that is to help them on the pitch. we are doing some work in mosques as well. we are trying to do as much

as we can to listen to what our asian women's football group says to us. so, is women's football frowned upon and asian communities? it's become a bit more open, but not every family is like that. i still get a few people in public saying, you are a girl, you should be at home, you shouldn't be playing in a football shirt and shorts because you are asian. it is hoped new women's teams like southall at a cab to tackle asian underrepresentation at various parts of the game. the tokyo olympics opened with a ceremony which featured two mixed race japanese athletes in very high—profile roles. many see it as a watershed moment in the way japan views its growing multi—ethnic population. rupert wingfield—hayes reports. it was the crowning moment of the opening ceremony and a big surprise — two of japan's most famous mixed—race athletes given the honour of leading the team and lighting the cauldron.

but in the two weeks since, naomi osaka in particular has been targeted with online abuse, with some questioning whether she is really japanese. it's something ariana miyamoto knows as well. back in 2016, she also caused shock here, becoming the first mixed—race women to be crowned miss universe japan. watching the olympic opening ceremony, ariana says she was pretty sceptical. translation: i don't know why they were chosen. it seems like it was to get good publicity. japan has a lot of mixed—race celebrities and sports stars. biracial people are often held up as being more beautiful, even more intelligent. but ariana says within that, there is still a hierarchy. translation: half—white people are greatly celebrated injapan,

but when it comes to half—black people, it's different. when i was working as a model, i was told that a lot of japanese wouldn't want the clothes that i wear since my skin colour is very different. so they wouldn't allow me to model their outfits. i kind of look at japan as a... mr mcneil is a writer who has lived injapan for 17 years. he says naomi osaka lighting the olympic cauldron will not change the fact that most japanese still think this is a mono—ethnic society. so, first thing japan would need to do is disperse with that rumour, with that fallacy that they're a homogeneous country. it's a misconception, and the fact that they haven't been correcting it is feeding this negativity, the response to naomi osaka and rui hachimura and all these people, because most japanese people don't understand this basic fact, that their country is not homogeneous. biracial people are not the only ones who face exclusion

and discrimination in japan. in the southern okinawan islands, there are nearly 1.5 million people who are not even recognised as an official minority despite having their own culture and language. in the far north, there are more people, and then injapan's big cities like here, there is the group that perhaps faces the greatest hostility, and those are ethnic koreans. they never mentioned the ethnic koreans in the opening ceremony, so where we are... where are we, i mean? his korean grandparents were brought here over 80 years ago. he has never known another home. but that fact means little to japan's many right—wing nationalists. mostly, they say, ok, you are utilising japan, so you guys are taking all the resources from japanese people, so you should go home. it doesn't matter, like, which passport you are, for them, the origin is very important. those who yearn for a more inclusive

japan look at the opening ceremony and wonder whether it really was a sign this country is changing or a pretence, an attempt to make japan look more open than it really is. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in tokyo. a new kind of content creator is emerging on youtube. so—called virtual youtubers are people who use 3d character models to engage with their audience anonymously on the video—sharing site. these v—tubers — as they're called — are becoming more and more popular with some reportedly earning millions. our reporter miles emmanuel spoke to two of them using their online personas. hello. you are watching the bbc. meet veepaii and apricot — two british women, aged 22 and 23, who work as online content creators and use animated avatars to replace their identity. some virtual youtubers, �*vtubers', use body tracking technology, like this, to animate the characters, while others

have a much simpler set up. but the industry only started in 2016 and some need convincing it is a viable career choice. she didn't understand what i was doing at first and she was definitely not happy about me leaving university to pursue my career online. i took a year off of university and that is when my career blew up. with a host of colourful characters, accessibility and anonymity can play key parts in streamers deciding to take the digital plunge. for vee, it was after she contracted a viral infection which ruptured her spleen and left her bedridden for six months that she decided to stream online. any disability you may have, it definitely works around it. you don't need to deal with harassment from people. you would probably deal with it if you had your camera up. they assume that everybody who chooses this career,

having their face as a cartoon character, theyjust instantly assume that everyone is overweight orjust some guy, and it's really not the case. vtubers are now amongst the highest—earning content creators, with some receiving up to around £2 million in the last 1.5 years. now, major companies are looking into using 3d mascots for customer—facing roles. if you are asking if this is the future of things, i see us moving towards it as these art styles are being seen as engaging and more attractive to them, right? you do not have to hire make up artists or crazy video to have someone talking about your wares. you canjust run a game engine and have it fully rendered. and although vtubers, like many content creators, can be subject to abusive and sexist comments, veepaii and apricot say their careers have allowed them to learn important life skills.

i grew out of my social anxiety through being a vtuber. i used to be really shy. i would be afraid to speak in english classes. ifa kid has a dream of their own or a goal in mind, i think everyone should try to pursue that. miles emmanuel, bbc news. let's just show you the live picture coming into us from grace. this is a scene north of athens. those devastating wildfires. really showing the scale of the smoke hanging over the city of athens. the greek prime minister has said that many people face what he called a menacing night. he said firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires, notjust in athens but across the country. the prime minister said the worst was sadly yet to come, with strong westerly winds are expected to fan the flames

today. we will continue to keep an eye on the situation in greece. and update you as it changes. that's it from me. you can reach me on twitter. now the weather with matt taylor. hello. whilst a few of you will get away with decent dry weather in the next few days, the emphasis will be on the few. plenty of downpours to come, some pretty torrential and thundery. the weather equivalent of the rinse and spin cycle. low pressure necrosis. those showers revolving around that area of low pressure as it moves eastwards, bringing respite eventually, hopefully, for most of us by tuesday. the area of low pressure are centred across parts of southern scotland. strongest winds around the edges of that. winds gusting at 44 —— 40 edges of that. winds gusting at 44 -- 40 to 50 edges of that. winds gusting at 44 —— 40 to 50 mph. any showers you see will be fleeting. more persistent rain on the far north of scotland.

for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern ireland, where the winds latest, torrential thunderstorms could bring quite a lot of rain. the risk of flooding. that said, if you managed to avoid the showers, it should feel pleasant in the sunshine. overall fairly cool for this stage of august. low pressure still with us overnight. you can see those showers revolving around it. most frequent up across parts of scotland, northern ireland, parts of scotland, northern ireland, parts of scotland, northern ireland, parts of north—west england, north and west wales. some pushing towards the south—east corner. the night is not particularly chilly. in temperatures holding in double figures. on saturday it is as you are. showers brewing again. probably are. showers brewing again. probably a few more towards wales and south—west lincoln. a few to begin within east anglia and the south—east. turning dry for a time. showers and thunderstorms across scotland, northern ireland and northern england would be slow moving in the afternoon. brighter for scotland. forall of moving in the afternoon. brighter for scotland. for all of us temperatures down. the area of low

pressure still around the uk. as centred through scotland, the heaviest of the downpours will be. brewing through the afternoon as temperatures rise. fewer showers towards the south coast of england and south wales. some of you will get by largely dry. temperatures still in the high teens for the vast majority. as we go into next week we are not settling down into a long speu are not settling down into a long spell of summery weather by any means. tuesday probably the widest ride across the country. still some sunshine at times.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines: energy bills for millions of households across the uk are to go up this winter. the energy watchdog says the increase is needed because of rising wholesale prices. because we have seen because we have seen a because we have seen a record increase in fossil fuel prices, not just gas and electricity but also petrol and diesel we have fed that through to the calculation. the bronze medal at tokyo 2020. a third successive medal at the olympics for britain's women hockey team — thanks to a 4—3 win over india.

team gb are also guaranteed at least another silver in the boxing.