good afternoon. the government is holding urgent talks with the energy industry about a sharp increase in wholesale gas prices, which have risen to record levels. there are warnings that the increase will raise consumer energy costs and other prices. it's already affecting food production and agriculture. the rising cost of wholesale gas prices is being driven by several factors, including strong global demand. our business correspondent katy austin has more.

gas is a key source of the energy that helps to heat our homes and power our industries. but reasons including high demand and lower solar and wind output have seen wholesale prices soar, almost doubling since the start of this year. it is an unprecedented situation according to energy market analysts. {3&5 situation according to energy market anal sts. , . , situation according to energy market anal sts. , . ., analysts. gas prices around the world in asia _ analysts. gas prices around the world in asia and _ analysts. gas prices around the world in asia and europe - analysts. gas prices around the world in asia and europe are i analysts. gas prices around the world in asia and europe are ati world in asia and europe are at record highs. in europe, there is a big supply squeeze. what is happening here in great britain is not unique. the happening here in great britain is not unique-— not unique. the high prices have already led _ not unique. the high prices have already led two _ not unique. the high prices have already led two large _ not unique. the high prices have already led two large uk - not unique. the high prices have | already led two large uk fertiliser plants to close. one consequence of thatis plants to close. one consequence of that is a nationwide shortage of carbon dioxide. that is the gas used to stun some animals before slaughtering and in the meat packaging process. one trade body said this would cause huge problems because it is so widely used. it is used to extend _ because it is so widely used. it is used to extend the shelf life of packaging notjust in meat, but all foods _ packaging notjust in meat, but all foods and — packaging notjust in meat, but all foods. and at a time when we are

struggling — foods. and at a time when we are struggling because of the haulage shortages in this country to keep the supply chain running, to have a shortage _ the supply chain running, to have a shortage of— the supply chain running, to have a shortage of shelf life on the products going onto shelves is going to cause _ products going onto shelves is going to cause even more disruption so this is— to cause even more disruption so this is a _ to cause even more disruption so this is a really serious problem for us. this is a really serious problem for us. ., ., this is a really serious problem for us. ., ., , this is a really serious problem for us. online food delivery company ocado has _ us. online food delivery company ocado has confirmed _ us. online food delivery company ocado has confirmed it _ us. online food delivery company ocado has confirmed it has - us. online food delivery company. ocado has confirmed it has limited stock of some frozen foods because the squeeze on co2 means it can't get enough dry ice. the trade body which represents major supermarkets said the disruption couldn't have come at a worse time, following the pressure caused by the lorry driver shortage. there is also concern in the steel industry that things will only get worse. if the steel industry that things will only get worse-— the steel industry that things will only get worse. if they are at this rice only get worse. if they are at this price now. _ only get worse. if they are at this price now, what _ only get worse. if they are at this price now, what is _ only get worse. if they are at this price now, what is it _ only get worse. if they are at this price now, what is it going - only get worse. if they are at this price now, what is it going to - only get worse. if they are at this price now, what is it going to be. price now, what is it going to be like in the winter? and if it carried on like this, i am really fearful of notjust carried on like this, i am really fearful of not just the carried on like this, i am really fearful of notjust the steel sector, but all energy intensive sectors. and then downstream operations. because that is what we do, we are at the start of that supply chain, we sell to manufacturers.- supply chain, we sell to manufacturers. , . , , manufacturers. the gas price rises hittin: manufacturers. the gas price rises hitting businesses _ manufacturers. the gas price rises hitting businesses at _ manufacturers. the gas price rises hitting businesses at the _ manufacturers. the gas price risesj hitting businesses at the moment, but it is likely to feed through to

higher bills for consumers. katy austin, bbc news. our political correspondent peter sauljoins me now. theese urgent governemnt talks are going on over this weekend. how serious is this? the fact the business secretary has lined up 20 meetings over this weekend does suggest there are pretty serious concerns. in whitehall. kwasi kwarteng tweeted earlier to try to address some of its concerns about supply issues. he said, quote, he would expect there would be no supply emergency is over the winter. there is perhaps little ministers can do about the global volatility in gas prices. in fact, government sources today are keen to put across the point this highlights the fact that we need to rely a bit more on renewable energy, at home, reduce our reliability on fossil fuels. in the short term, they're looking at helping out some of the smaller energy firms who might be more exposed to that volatility in the global market. but arguably, the more pressing issue, as we saw, is

this prospect of food shortages caused the sudden drop in availability of carbon dioxide. there are also meetings going on between officials from the department of food, environment, food and rural affairs and food industry bosses and they say a number of options are being considered, including the possibility of importing co2 from overseas. possibility of importing c02 from overseas. . ~' possibility of importing c02 from overseas. ., ~ , ., , . overseas. thank you very much, peter. a relative of ten afghan civilians killed in an american drone strike in kabul last month says he's glad that the us has accepted its mistake. the brother of the aid worker says he wants compensation and resettlement for the family in a safe country. seven of the dead were children. he's been talking with our middle east editorjeremy bowen — and a warning, his report does contain details some viewers may find distressing. this is all that remains of the toyota corolla that the americans tracked

for hours, as they convinced themselves — entirely incorrectly — that it was packed with explosives. five of the seven dead children were playing in the car when it was hit. its owner, zemari ahmadi, who they believed, wrongly, was an islamic state bomber, had just driven it home from his work with an american aid organisation. the survivors have moved out. after their terrible loss, they want compensation and resettlement in a safe country. it was america's last act of war before they pulled out of afghanistan and the decision to fire the missile

smacks of panic. and what a legacy. it isn't necessarily the parting shot of the americans because they still have the capacity to hit targets from the air. the us relies increasingly on drones. across the road, the neighbours are still traumatised by what they heard and saw. america's latest deadly blunder shows how dangerous its drone strategy can be for civilians. jeremy bowen, bbc news, kabul. travel companies say that holiday bookings have surged since yesterday's announcement that foreign travel rules are being relaxed in england. the travel traffic—light system is being replaced with a single red list. fully—vaccinated people will no longer need a pre—departure test before returning from non—red list areas. france is recalling its ambassadors to australia and the united states for talks,

in an escalating diplomatic row over a new defence agreement and nuclear submarine deal. on thursday, the leaders of australia, the us and the uk announced details of the new security pact — know as aukus — scuppering a multi—million—pound agreement france had already made with australia to supply submarines. as he left his residence earlier, the french ambassador to australia described the decision as a huge mistake. our corresponent hugh schofield joins us now from paris. what is the latest? well, the latest is the recalling of the ambassadors, we already knew the france reaction will be one of fury and the prime minister on thursday said it was like a stab in the back. but my reading is president of macron feels the message isn't getting through. he fears that in america, australia, britain, they take the french reaction to be one of anger over the loss of the contract. the contract

from the french point of view is the least of it. yes, there is money at stake, but far more important in franchise is a loss of face, the humiliation and the sense that things have been cooked up behind their back. this was a deal arranged between the americans, the australians and the british were three english—speaking nations, without any consultation with france, who they insist are after all a nation with a stake in the pacific region because they have territory out there in polynesia and new caledonia. there is a huge degree of anger and the recall of the ambassadors, that is meant to reinforce this feeling that france is very unhappy, fears there is a new world order being sorted out behind its back in which it has no part. behind its back in which it has no art. . ~ behind its back in which it has no art, ., ~' , behind its back in which it has no art. ., ~' , . part. thank you very much, hugh schofield in _ part. thank you very much, hugh schofield in paris. _ the bbc has refused to comment on reports that two of this year's strictly come dancing professional dancers have not been vaccinated against covid, and that celebrity contestants are reluctant to be paired with them.

the broadcaster says the production of the latest series — which starts tonight on bbc one — has followed strict government guidelines, to ensure the safety of everyone on the show. students in the uk who are not yet vaccinated are being urged to get their covid jab during freshers' week. dozens of universities have set up pop—up clinics and walk—in centres, as the new academic year begins. megan paterson has more. have you registered with a gp? a new addition to the usual freshers' week festivities at oxford brookes university. 0.3. pop—up clinics and grab—a—jab drop—ins — all aimed at encouraging as many students as possible to get vaccinated, amid some concern about covid spread in young people. we are aware just before the summer there was quite a high increase in covid infection rates amongst the 18—24 year—olds, so we're really keen to try and sort of capture them just as they're coming back to university, to make sure in the environment they live in — maybe in shared houses — that we minimise the spread

and the transmission of covid as much as possible. obviously, we want people to really enjoy their university terms, and so it's to really make it possible for them to do that. in england, 72% of young people aged between 18 and 2a have already had theirfirstjab. among them is holly — now waiting for her second, it's as much about her own freedom as protecting others. we're socialising with other people and we'd like to be vaccinated. and eventually, i'd like to be able to go on holiday. i'm worried about family members getting it as well, because they've got to go to work and all of those things. so financially, they need to be able to go off to work, so it's important for me to get it as well. thank you for coming. with so much disruption to college and university terms last year, it's hoped increased vaccination will keep students well and return face—to—face teaching as the norm. we do want to have students back on campus, we want them to feel safe, we want everyone in the university community to feel safe. i think the first thing that we're really focusing

on with all students is, do take the opportunity to get vaccinated. we know that vaccinations are the best protection that individuals can take. it's the best protection for the university community as a whole. many universities will still ask students to wear masks and will manage timetables to avoid overcrowding — nhs teams hopeful that, coupled with increased vaccination, will not only maximise student enjoyment, but also reduce pressure on services, as we approach the winter months. megan patterson, bbc news. that's all for now. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. the next news on bbc one is at ten past five. bye for now. have a lovely afternoon. sport and for a full round—up from the bbc

sport centre, here's our reporter. good afternoon. pep guardiola says he won't apologise for calling on more manchester city fans to attend their home game against southampton this afternoon. it's after the etihad was only around two thirds full for their midweek champions league win over rb leipzig. it has been close to full for league games so far this season. city supporter groups have called his comments disappointing. the city boss says after a tough week every supporter counts. when you play champions league it is so demanding. so demanding in your physicality and mentally, when they have a long, long week to prepare the game, so that is why we need altogether, the players, our supporters and everyone to help us. you know, to do our best. after their champions league win overac milan, liverpool are back out at anfield this afternoon. crystal palace the visitors in the premier league. sadio mane missed a host of chances in liverpool's 3—0 win over leeds last weekend, before scoring the third. there've been questions about his form, but manager jurgen klopp says

he has no concerns. that was a really good moment. , physically and i think mentally as well, so we are really confident and you can see that if a player misses a chance it doesn't look desperate and everything, sadio manejust has and everything, sadio manejust has a smile on his face and said, i could have done this better and that. so it is all good. but of course sadio mane is an exceptional player and he has to perform exceptional because that is what it is, it is the standard we usually expect from him and that is usually what he delivers. the day's early kick off is at molineux, where wolves are taking on brentford. both sides are unchanged. wolves will be hoping to back up last week's victory over watford with their first home win of the season, but brentford have made the breakthrough in the first half, ivan toney from the penalty spot giving his side a 1—0 lead. he has had two other goals were ruled out by the ar and the second goal has been added at half—time to,

2-0 goal has been added at half—time to, 2—0 brentford. it's got to feel special for any parent to be on the same football team as their son or daughter, and that will be the case at nuneaton borough this weekend in the latest fa cup qualifying round. proud dad carl baker, the former coventry city captain, who's 38, has been joined in the team by his 18—year—old son louis, who scored this spectacular goal in the last round as they beat lichfield city 3—1. carl was the first player to congratulate his son and couldn't stop hugging him. ...agood a goodjob a good job and the sort of father—son relationship went out the window a bit and it does feel strange at times when i am on the ball as parent, dad and... so i have got to get used to that, but all in all it isjust got to get used to that, but all in all it is just fantastic. i never thought it would happen, to be completely honest with you. i didn't think i would still be playing at this age and i wasn't sure louis was going to get to the level he is at the age he is at, so for both of us to be playing in the same team at the same time, yes, it is amazing.

next to cricket. it's finals day at edgbaston, where the winners of the t20 blast will be crowned tonight. four sides are hoping they'll be the ones to lift the trophy. kent spitfires take on sussex sharks at 2.30pm. but first hampshire hawks are playing somerset for a place in this evening's final. joe weatherley top scored earlier with 71, but most around him struggled with the bat, which means somerset are chasing 151 to win. they are currently 53—5. that is after 11 overs. and in brisbane, australia have got a second successive win over the world champions, south africa, in the rugby championship. len ikitau scored two tries, as did marika koroibete here — he struck twice in six minutes — to seal a bonus point victory. australia winning 30—17 in the end. they're third in the table, one point behind second—placed south africa. in the day's other games, new zealand beat argentina 36—13 to extend their lead at the top of the table. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more in the next hour. for now, back to you, victoria.

thank you very much. more now on the government plans to hold urgent talks with the energy industry amid growing concern about a spike in wholesale gas prices in the uk. a combination of high global demand and lower solar and wind output have been blamed for the price hike. nick allen is chief executive of the british meat processors association. he's been telling us it's a crisis and explained how the meat market is being affected. co2 is critical right the way through the food supply chain and from the meat side, particularly in the pork and poultry sectors, co2 is used to humanely slaughter animals. and it is also... so there is a potential, as well as shortages, there is a potential to create a massive animal welfare problem back on the farms. sorry, just on that point, in what way? well, we won't be able to process the animals quickly, so those animals will stay back on the farm and there is already a problem in the pig sector, where pigs are backing up on the farm because of the labour shortages, so this can cause

enormous problems forfarmers, so that is a horrendous problem and challenge for them. on top of that, you know, we use co2 for extending shelf life through packaging, not just in meat, but in all foods, and at a time when we're struggling because of the haulage shortages in this country to keep the supply chain running, to actually lose shelf life and have a shorter shelf life on products is going to cause even more disruption, so this is a really serious problem for us. so if the business secretary happened to be watching right now, what would you need from him? well, i think we are really shocked that these two fertiliser plants can almost get away with shutting down overnight when they are such a critical part of the food supply chain, particularly on the back of... we had a crisis around co2 in 2018 and there should have been lessons learnt from that, so i think he needs to actually speak to that company and see whether that decision can be reversed or those closures can be delayed and, more to the point,

we got through the last co2 crisis because we knew there was an end to it — it was about the plant shutting down for maintenance. they have just said they are closed indefinitely, so no one knows where they are, really. and if they cannot actually arrive at a deal with that company they need to help the industry source co2 from somewhere else because this is going to impact right the way through from the farm right the way through to your local pub, where co2 to serve beer, so it will affect your local pint. 0k. so is it straightforward to source co2 from somewhere else? i doubt it. i think they have got similar problems on the continent, it is almost an international problem, so it is going to be very hard to find it from somewhere else. so it is actually critical, i think, that they find a way of getting these plants reopened again. and how... you talked about it could affect meat on the supermarket shelves, it could affect the pint

of beer in your local pub, but how realistic is the potential for shortages and supply issues? really realistic. since this news broke i have just been inundated by calls from people in the industry, from our members and from retailers. everyone is really regarding this as a serious problem and i know retailers have been in contact with the government about this. we are... between days and... this is a days, stroke weeks problem, where this is going to come to a head, not something that is going to rumble on for months like the labour shortage one has. this is going to have a really quick impact if something isn't done quickly. is it a crisis? oh, undoubtedly. someone in the papers described this this morning as a black swan moment and i think that is absolutely right, really. it is one of those hidden things that has immense repercussions right the way through the sector and i really do think this

is a crisis, yep. the us has closed one of its border crossings with mexico after 12,000 migrants crossed into a texas city in the space of a week. officials from the city of del rio said they were finding it increasingly difficult to provide food for the rapidly growing number of undocumented arrivals, mostly from haiti, who now make up a third of the city's population. simonjones reports. a makeshift camp that has grown at staggering speed, leading to what has been described as a humanitarian crisis. the bridge providing the only shelter from the scorching sun to thousands of migrants, mostly from haiti, seeking a new life in the us. the city's mayor says it simply cannot cope. irate the us. the city's mayor says it simply cannot cope.— the us. the city's mayor says it simply cannot cope. we now have one third of the population _ simply cannot cope. we now have one third of the population of _

simply cannot cope. we now have one third of the population of the - simply cannot cope. we now have one third of the population of the city - third of the population of the city of del rio, texas, in a confined space under the city of del rio international bridge. so that said, international bridge. so that said, i had thought that the alarm was set on monday. this is setting the nuclear bomb alarm that this is no longer sustainable, acceptable. the number of haitians crossing the south—west border into the united states has been rising for months. many have travelled from south america. they had fled there after the devastating earthquake of 2010. but there are now calls for urgent action to prevent the situation become completely unmanageable. the department of defence... as well as the director— department of defence... as well as the director of homeland security... they are _ the director of homeland security... they are in _ the director of homeland security... they are in charge of the people that are — they are in charge of the people that are under that bridge, most of whom _ that are under that bridge, most of whom are — that are under that bridge, most of whom are from haiti. and they have told us _ whom are from haiti. and they have told us that— whom are from haiti. and they have told us that the people who are under_ told us that the people who are under that bridge right now are going _ under that bridge right now are going to — under that bridge right now are going to be relocated by the united states— going to be relocated by the united states department of defence. some are going _ states department of defence. some are going to arizona, others are

going _ are going to arizona, others are going to — are going to arizona, others are going to california. others may be going _ going to california. others may be going to _ going to california. others may be going to narrator, we were told. but one thing _ going to narrator, we were told. but one thing we know for a fact and that is— one thing we know for a fact and that is that — one thing we know for a fact and that is that there is nothing but uncertainty and indecision by the bioen— uncertainty and indecision by the biden administration about exactly what they are going to do. there has been no response _ what they are going to do. there has been no response yet _ what they are going to do. there has been no response yet from _ what they are going to do. there has been no response yet from the - been no response yet from the president. he is under pressure to reverse a decision to cancel deportation flights to haiti after another earthquake there this year. but hundreds more migrants are believed to be on their way to texas, posing a major political and humanitarian challenge. simonjones, humanitarian challenge. simon jones, bbc humanitarian challenge. simonjones, bbc news. strictly come dancing returns tonight. 15 celebrities will be paired with their dancing partners on bbc one and then in two weeks the live peformances begin. meanwhile, the bbc are refusing to comment on reports that two of this year's strictly come dancing professional dancers have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus — and that celebrity contestants are reluctant to be paired with them. we've been speaking to a former contestant, dr ranj singh, an nhs consultant paediatrician and tv presenter who took part in 2018.

there is this weird dichotomy of excitement and a little bit ofjealousy. because secretly we all want to do it again. do you? do you really? absolutely. i had such a good time. it was the single mostjoyous, yet difficult experience of my life. and i work on the front line. it was just such an incredible experience and there is nothing like it. if you were to do it again, dr ranj, what would you do differently this time? ooh, well, i wouldn't be able to dance with my partner, janette, because she is moving onto it takes two, which is exciting in itself. yeah. i would love to dance with another boy, actually. ah, that is interesting because this is the first series where we will have an all—male pairing. what is your view about that? i think it is fantastic. i think the audience want it. i think it is a sign of progression. it's the way the world is going and it is long overdue. we saw when graziano and johannes danced their group number —

i think it was a couple of years ago now — how much of a positive response that had, and how amazing it was. it was a real signal to lgbt+ people out there that you matter. you count, you are seen. and you are just as important as anyone else. and i think, whether it is two women, a guy and a girl, two men... it doesn't matter. it is dance at the end of the day. yeah. and we had, of course, nicola adams and katya last year, and they had to withdraw unfortunately early because of covid. you were lucky, you did it before the pandemic. there are so many guidelines the cast have to follow. there are reports today on the front of the sun that suggests that two of the professional dancers are declining to take a covid jab. what is your view on that, as an nhs consultant paediatrician? ithink... vaccination is not mandatory. it is an offer. and we should all be playing our part, doing whatever we can to try to keep everybody safe, not just ourselves, but those around us.

there may be legitimate reasons for those people to not be able to have the jab and we have got to understand that. but we have all got a part to play to be as safe as possible. that is notjust about vaccination, it is about being careful around hand hygiene, trying to distance, wearing a mask in enclosed spaces, and all those other things that we should be doing. having stood for more than 60 years, the dorman long tower has long been a symbol of teesside's industrial heritage. it's due to be demolished tomorrow, despite a long campaign to save it. ian reeve reports. the posters may be up, but teesside's dorman long tower is coming down. just a week after being listed by conservation body historic england, it has been delisted — this former coal store, part of southbank�*s coke ovens and the wider redcar steelworks, found not to be of any great architectural interest

and in a state of some disrepair. for tees valley's mayor, who controls the site, relief. the tower could be in the way of a new wind turbine factory, promisingjobs. we have to prioritise giving people opportunities and jobs, and saving tax payers' money. 2,000 jobs are not to be sniffed at. those people who say that this is a piece of heritage, my argument would be that teesside's heritage is in the structures that built the world — world trade center, the shard, the sydney harbour bridge. those are the things we should be taking pride in. signing off on the destruction of the dorman long tower was the first act of the new culture secretary, nadine dorries. the race is now on to prepare the 1950s tower for demolition early tomorrow morning. three other structures will also come down, but the dorman long tower will be most missed. the former bridge builder a famous name, building amongst other things the sydney harbour bridge.

archive: a steamer puts out to sea, while on the roadway a stream - of road traffic glides by, - and all around is a web of steel spun by the industry of men. the industry of men on teesside, of course, iron, steel and chemicals defined the area. for some, then, demolition seems like a severing of the link with the glorious industrial past — certainly so for lisa and ian, taking a last look today. it's a receptacle of so many memories for so many people. here through generations, looking back at their forebears who have worked here, and i don't know if we can throw all of that away. we're very proud of it at teesside. we proudly say we built the world. how can we how can we remember how can we remember that? other thanjust singing songs about it, i think we actually need to — i think we deserve at least part of it's keeping. the tower would have cost £9 million to maintain, so demolition beckons — blown up and brought down early tomorrow morning, ending its life,

not with a whimper, but with a bang. ian reeve, bbc news. when the coronavirus pandemic first took hold in new york, all the city's theatres and concert venues closed their doors. broadway has begun to re—open and now one of the city's premier orchestras is returning to the stage. the new york philhamonic is putting on its first season of concerts for more than 18 months. tim allman reports. established in 1842, the new york philharmonic has been performing for nearly 180 years. a vital and much loved part of the city's cultural bloodstream. but then came covid and the music stopped. now, 556 days later, final rehearsals are taking place.

the phil is coming home. i feel like we are an important part of bringing new york back to normalcy, even though it's starting very slowly and it's still very tentative, we are aiming in the right direction. this is a very optimistic and exciting new beginning. the orchestra has performed a series of one—off events, mostly online, or outdoors, but this will be a proper concert, in a proper concert hall, with a paying and no doubt appreciative audience. i feel like almost a rebirth as a musician. as a musician we play 130—140 concerts a year and you never take it for granted, but sometimes you think, "oof, i'm a little tired today i gotta play this again." but not any more — i feel, really, such gratitude. the first concert is

called from silence to celebration, which seems strangely appropriate. organisers hoping the audience will simply enjoy the moment and be free. tim allman, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with owain wyn evans. i hope you are doing all right. for many of as we will see dry weather and some sunshine today. however, we have this weak weather front draped across the uk. that is bringing thicker cloud and some patchy rain as well. you can see it here in the close—up view across northern parts of england, the south of scotland, then wrapping around western parts of wales towards the south—west of england. either side of this some sunshine. cooler to the north. top temperatures 22 or 23 celsius. as we head through this evening the weather front gets reinvigorated, if you like, and we will see heavy spells of rain developing. as we head through the day tomorrow we will continue with that. the weather front creeping towards the east.

we could see some localised flooding, as this will