this is bbc news the headlines at a:00... worries over the soaring price of gas. the government's holding urgent talks with energy industry bosses it's one of those hidden things that has immense repercussions right the way through the sector and i really do think this is a crisis. holiday firms say they expect a surge in bookings after travel restrictions in england are relaxed. this is what we've been waiting for a long time. it takes away all the confusion and that's been one of our biggest barriers and one of the biggest reasons why people haven't been wanting to book. france is recalling its ambassadors to australia and the united states, in protest over a security deal which also includes the uk. us armed forces apologise

for their �*tragic mistake�* — after killing ten innocent people, including children — in a drone strike during their final days in afghanistan. strictly�*s back — but there's controversy as reports suggests that two of the show�*s professional dancers are refusing to get covid jabs. coming up — has the western media lost interest in afghanistan at a pivotal moment? we'll be asking the question, in the media show at liz30pm. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. 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. gas prices around the 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 high prices have already led two large uk fertiliser 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 the shelf life of packaging notjust in meat, but all 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 shorter shelf life on the products going onto shelves is going to cause even more disruption so this is a really serious problem for us. online food delivery company ocado has confirmed it has limited stock of some frozen foods because the squeeze on c02 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 they are at this 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 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. the gas price rise is hitting businesses at the moment, but it is likely to feed through to higher bills for consumers. katy austin, bbc news. i'm joined now by emma pinchbeck who's the chief executive of energy uk. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. first, we understand that at least four energy companies are expected to go bust this week, can you confirm that? if it is true, which ones? it you confirm that? if it is true, which ones?— you confirm that? if it is true, which ones? it is difficult to tell at this stage. _ which ones? it is difficult to tell at this stage. we _ which ones? it is difficult to tell at this stage. we are _ which ones? it is difficult to tell at this stage. we are seeing - which ones? it is difficult to tell at this stage. we are seeing a l at this stage. we are seeing a record—breaking price of international gas and that does feed through to the market and we have

seen four supplier failures through to the market and we have seen four supplierfailures in seen four supplier failures in recent seen four supplierfailures in recent weeks because of that and also because of the market. it is difficult to tell if there will be any more. difficult to tell if there will be any more-— difficult to tell if there will be an more. , ., any more. we started off the year with 70 supplies, _ any more. we started off the year with 70 supplies, i _ any more. we started off the year with 70 supplies, i think - any more. we started off the year with 70 supplies, i think these - any more. we started off the year| with 70 supplies, i think these are yourfigures, 70 suppliers. we could end at ten! that is a shocking statistic? i end at ten! that is a shocking statistic? ., �* , ., statistic? i don't recognise that number, statistic? i don't recognise that number. i _ statistic? i don't recognise that number, ithink— statistic? i don't recognise that number, i think there - statistic? i don't recognise that number, i think there is - statistic? i don't recognise that number, i think there is a - statistic? i don't recognise that number, i think there is a lot . statistic? i don't recognise that| number, i think there is a lot of speculation about what the impact could be. it is difficult to say that, because the energy market is incredibly complex. what is clear is there are record—breaking prices at there are record—breaking prices at the moment and that is having an impact on the industry. the important thing for people watching is there are processes in place that if their supplier fails or they are struggling to pay their energy bill, there is an important place for customers, but also the government will see what it can do to help the mechanisms that are already there is

a result of any failures. where is that support? they can come to the energy uk website. in the summer when we were looking at the high price of gas, the energy suppliers came up of additional places on top of the ones that were already obligated to provide for energy customers. they can go to citizens advice, but the first thing to say is just phone your supplier. if you are worried about paying your energy bill this autumn, there is help, just get on the phone to your supplier. i just get on the phone to your su lier. , ., just get on the phone to your su lier. , . ., supplier. i understand when a com an supplier. i understand when a company does _ supplier. i understand when a company does go _ supplier. i understand when a company does go bust - supplier. i understand when a company does go bust and . supplier. i understand when a j company does go bust and we supplier. i understand when a - company does go bust and we could well see that, there is a process called solar, which kicks in and bigger companies are allowed to bid and take over the smaller companies, how likely is it they will do that with the prices and the crisis? yes. with the prices and the crisis? yes, we have had _ with the prices and the crisis? yes, we have had suppliers _ with the prices and the crisis? 1a: we have had suppliers go through it already this year. one of the things we are worried about is the impact.

that is one of the questions in consideration at the moment. we want to make sure every customer that is impacted by this gets picked up by the market. the regulator is talking to the government and the government is talking to the industry and we will make sure customers are looked after during this unprecedented situation in the energy sector. the im ortant situation in the energy sector. the important thing is, if that does happen and the smaller companies that do go bust are not taken over ijy that do go bust are not taken over by larger companies, customers will be looked after no matter what? is there a safety net there?— there a safety net there? there is alread a there a safety net there? there is already a safety — there a safety net there? there is already a safety net _ there a safety net there? there is already a safety net there - there a safety net there? there is already a safety net there and - there a safety net there? there is| already a safety net there and that is the subject of the conversation between retailers and government and government and the regulator, just to make sure we provide for our customers through this challenging time. the other thing, all of this gets better if we make sure that we wean ourselves off the volatile commodity, that we keep going with

our net zero targets and we make sure we have a long look at the retail market once the crisis is over to make sure it is properly sustainable for the future. ok. over to make sure it is properly sustainable for the future. ok, i think ou sustainable for the future. ok, i think you released _ sustainable for the future. ok, i think you released a _ sustainable for the future. ok, i think you released a statement| sustainable for the future. ok, i think you released a statementjust recently about net zero and renewables. renewables are the cheapest form of power available and there are success stories in the uk. when he is a success story, when you look at what has happened now, what does it say about the state of renewables, in that they were not there to help pick up the slack? this crisis is entirely about the high price of international gas and in many ways, it is because of the politics around gas. also a shortage of gas in storage across europe. i think that says we want to be developing our own domestic renewables and the uk has the best wind resources in the world. we

advocate for 107% renewables because we need electricity mix and you add other technologies on. there is no security of supply risk at the moment, so it is a demonstration of having lots of different technologies works, but a third of renewables, we are confident we should keep pushing net zero to get us off international gas and on to more domestic resources. the message for the government is, we should be investing in more of the other technologies alongside renewables. it also storage of hydrogen and other things. it also storage of hydrogen and other thin95-— other things. obviously the government _ other things. obviously the government needs - other things. obviously the government needs to - other things. obviously the government needs to do i other things. obviously the - government needs to do more. other things. obviously the _ government needs to do more. before we get to what needs to be done for the renewables, what does the government need to do to help mitigate the effects of this particular crisis, what would you like to see?— particular crisis, what would you like to see? , , ., ., like to see? this is going to sound like to see? this is going to sound like a copout. _ like to see? this is going to sound like a copout, but _ like to see? this is going to sound like a copout, but it _ like to see? this is going to sound like a copout, but it is _ like to see? this is going to sound like a copout, but it is a _ like to see? this is going to sound like a copout, but it is a fast - like a copout, but it is a fast moving picture and it is hard to say what the specifics impacts are. government is talking to the industry to work out where the pressure points are, the supply chains and businesses.- pressure points are, the supply chains and businesses. where do you think they are? _ chains and businesses. where do you think they are? at _ chains and businesses. where do you think they are? at the _ chains and businesses. where do you think they are? at the moment - chains and businesses. where do you think they are? at the moment they l think they are? at the moment they are in retail. —

think they are? at the moment they are in retail, that _ think they are? at the moment they are in retail, that is _ think they are? at the moment they are in retail, that is where _ think they are? at the moment they are in retail, that is where we - think they are? at the moment they are in retail, that is where we are i are in retail, that is where we are seeing the pressure and also impacts for industrial users. it would be silly to prescribe the solution before we are sure where problems are. we have regulated mechanisms in the event of market failures. this is about what additional targeted support we need and we should know more about that after the next few days and the conversations between industry and government. we have a range of options for solutions on the table. this range of options for solutions on the table. �* , ,., range of options for solutions on the table. �* , ., , ., the table. as part of this, wind and the table. as part of this, wind and the lack of — the table. as part of this, wind and the lack of wind _ the table. as part of this, wind and the lack of wind is _ the table. as part of this, wind and the lack of wind is also _ the table. as part of this, wind and the lack of wind is also being - the lack of wind is also being pinpointed as one of the factors leading up to this crisis, so turning to renewables, you have said we need more policy coming forward from government to make sure we build an energy system for it to power the future economy. what do you mean by an energy system, what would that look like? we you mean by an energy system, what would that look like?— would that look like? we are in a massive transition _ would that look like? we are in a massive transition for _ would that look like? we are in a massive transition for energy, i would that look like? we are in a i massive transition for energy, much of it incredibly exciting and we have very cheap technology available to us. in order to make sure we have

enough generation capacity in the system we need the government to continue to finance renewables. but also bring forward the other technologies that sit alongside renewables, things like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and a decision on any new nuclear power stations. and all those additional technologies. at the moment we are missing that piece, the government has set clear strategies, but we need to see it in policies. we are calling for an energy bill in the next queen's speech. you calling for an energy bill in the next queen's speech. you have over 100 members. _ next queen's speech. you have over 100 members. i— next queen's speech. you have over 100 members, i understand, - next queen's speech. you have over. 100 members, i understand, spanning every aspect of the energy sector? what are you telling them about how to come through this unscathed, what is your advice to them? the to come through this unscathed, what is your advice to them?— is your advice to them? the most im ortant is your advice to them? the most important thing — is your advice to them? the most important thing is _ is your advice to them? the most important thing is to _ is your advice to them? the most important thing is to keep - is your advice to them? the most important thing is to keep talking j important thing is to keep talking to each other and keep talking to government. we need to identify where the issues are and identify if there are any solutions. the other thing, it is the customers that matter the most, domestic customers,

industrial users and actually come industrial users and actually come in many ways, some of the businesses, what the power stations are doing matters as much as what the retailers are doing. lots of discussion and creative thinking to make sure we come through what is an unprecedented situation. again, if someone watching is worried about paying their bill, the sector has put up additional support for this autumn and winter. contact your supplier if you have any worries. when you say additional support, what should they say on the phone, i know there is support, this is the name of it... i know there is support, this is the name of it- - -_ name of it... i am worried about -a in: name of it... i am worried about paying my _ name of it... i am worried about paying my bill _ name of it... i am worried about paying my bill this _ name of it... i am worried about paying my bill this winter, i name of it... i am worried about paying my bill this winter, is i name of it... i am worried about l paying my bill this winter, is there any support for me and talk about the circumstances. the last thing you want is for customers to just avoid talking to their supply because they have worries. there is often support available and that is the case if you are a vulnerable customer. we urge them to contact their supply. customer. we urge them to contact

theirsupply. if customer. we urge them to contact their supply. if they are uncomfortable, they can come to the energy uk website to see what is available. do energy uk website to see what is available. , ., energy uk website to see what is available. i. ., ., available. do you follow the c02 su -l available. do you follow the c02 sopply chain _ available. do you follow the c02 sopply chain as _ available. do you follow the c02 supply chain as well, _ available. do you follow the c02 supply chain as well, quickly? i l available. do you follow the c02 i supply chain as well, quickly? i try to follow everything _ supply chain as well, quickly? i it“; to follow everything in this job, yes. to follow everything in this “ob, es. ~ . to follow everything in this “ob, es, ~ ., ., to follow everything in this “ob, es. . ., ., , ., to follow everything in this “ob, es. ~ ., ., ., , to follow everything in this “ob, es. ., ., ., to follow everything in this “ob, es. ~ ., ., ., , ., ., yes. what are your thoughts on how we have yet — yes. what are your thoughts on how we have yet another— yes. what are your thoughts on how we have yet another c02 _ yes. what are your thoughts on how we have yet another c02 crisis, i yes. what are your thoughts on how we have yet another c02 crisis, the | we have yet another co2 crisis, the last one in 2018? this chain of events, the fertiliser companies going off—line, we need the fertiliser companies for the co2. surely we should have learnt by now? there is something here, everyone has central energy to underpin the rest of the economy. it is my interest, also having to see how connected the economy is and also else playing chains. there is nothing about this that doesn't get better if we don't try to wean ourselves off international commodity and use our own domestic reserves and domestic supply chains. lastly, the conversations right now with governments are about where we

may or may not need targeted support for customers or users. the industrial sector is a high priority. that is highly general, i will talk to someone he was directed ljy will talk to someone he was directed by the co2 shortage and what they view is on it. we by the c02 shortage and what they view is on it— view is on it. we are talking about ener: view is on it. we are talking about energy shortage _ view is on it. we are talking about energy shortage here, _ view is on it. we are talking about energy shortage here, does i view is on it. we are talking about energy shortage here, does that l energy shortage here, does that shock you in a country like the uk? it is not shock me that fossil fuels are becoming more volatile. stepping away for doing it for climate change, and the energy industry is building up our own domestic reserves and maximising our own resources. in some ways, it is not surprising. what has taken us by surprise is with the speed prices have risen and the vulnerability of the european market to that kind of price shock. but thatjust the european market to that kind of price shock. but that just adds the european market to that kind of

price shock. but thatjust adds adds to the necessity of trying to do something differently. i suppose the positive story is we do have other assets, other technologies and other ways of doing it. in the long run the energy sector is incredibly confident you can have a decarbonise power system which is cheaper for customers and offers better services. the conversation for the government this week are about how we get through a short—term crisis and then how we transform our industry so this doesn't happen again. industry so this doesn't happen aaain. industry so this doesn't happen a . ain. ., industry so this doesn't happen aaain. ., ., ~ , again. indeed, emma, thank you very much for your— again. indeed, emma, thank you very much for your time. _ in the past few minutes we've had the daily coronavirus figures. there have been 30,141; more confirmed cases in the uk in the past 2a hours. and the deaths of a further 164 people have been confirmed —

that's of people who tested positive in the last 28 days. plenty more on the uk government website. the headlines on bbc news. worries over the price of gas, the government is holding talks with energy bosses. and the travel industry is expecting a surge of bookings. in france is recalling its ambassador is to australia and the united states over protest to do with a security deal which also includes the uk. we crossed to the bbc sport centre,

and i believe you are starting with football? good afternoon. newly promoted brentford have continued their impressive start to life in the premier league after a 2—0 win at wolves in the lunchtime kick off. the only negative was a red card in the second half, but it didn't change the result as lydia campbell reports. there aren't many better sites than football in the september sun. after a sleepy start, this game came alive 25 minutes in, a penalty for brentford, awarded for the chance on ivan toney. the striker stepped up treating himself to an easy goal. within seconds, toney thought he had a second. after being initially reeled off for offside, it was eventually disallowed for handball. a wake—up call for wolves perhaps? maybe not. brentford got the second, toney setting up for a simple finish. with 25 minutes to go, shand

and baptiste handed wolves a lifeline after picking up two yellow cards. but it is a lifeline they couldn't reach out and grab. this sums up the home xi's miserable day in front of goal. the win is brentford's first away from home in the premier league. the wolves,? remain over the manager. well, the champions manchester city and liverpool are among the premier league teams currently in action, and liverpool made the breakthrough at anfield just before half time — sadio mane with the goal, his 100th. they lead crystal palace 1—0. that match now well into the second half. manchester city still goalless with southampton. arsenal lead 1—0 at burnley thanks to martin odegaard. norwich, looking for their first

points of the season, are taking on watford. teemu pukki with the equaliser. aston villa play everton in the evening kick off. in the early kick off in the championship, sheffield united beat struggling hull city 3—1. the blades took the lead in the first half — billy sharp with his 114th goal on his 300th appearance for the club — he later had a penalty saved. after the breakjohn egan headed home twice, both from corners to wrap the game up. hull drop into the bottom three — sheffield united are unbeaten in five games. just three games in the scottish premiership today. hibernian have had an unbeaten start to the season and sit second in the league — a point behind leaders rangers — and they have just equalised againt st mirren. it's 2—1 there.

ross county are in search of their first win — and they lead hearts 2—1 — blair spittal with his second goal of the game just before the break. somerset are through to tonight's final of the t20 blast after beating hampshire hawks by two wickets. somerset were chasing 151 to win at edgbaston and looked like they might be in trouble when they lost top scorer tom abell for 50. but they reached their target thanks to a flurry of late runs with 56 off the final 22 balls. they'll play either kent spitfires or sussex sharks who are currently playing the second semi—final. kent have just set sussex a target of 169. 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. and the springboks will be down

to second in the world rankings when they're released on monday and replaced by new zealand. that's after they beat argentina 36—13 — scoring five tries. the win maintains the all black's perfect start — five wins from five. argentina have lost all of their matches. it was no penalty in the end at the etihad. iwill it was no penalty in the end at the etihad. i will round up the results for you on sports day at 6.30. but now, back to you. 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. simonjones reports half—term holidays abroad look set to become simpler and cheaper for many families,

to the relief of the travel industry. it's very important for the end of the season. there's lots of people haven't had a holiday for two years. it's a big boost for the industry, and what we've said all along is the best support we can get from the government is being able to fly again. from the 11th of october, fully vaccinated travellers returning to england from countries that aren't on the red list will no longer need to take a test before they travel, and from the end of october they won't need an expensive pcr test on their return. it'll be replaced by a lateral flow test. children will be treated the same as vaccinated adults. but if you're not double—jabbed, it is very different. you'll need to test before you travel back and self—isolate at home for ten days, as well as pay for pcr tests. be aware that if you're not vaccinated then i'm afraid there are by necessity more costs and bureaucracy involved under this system. travel agents are gearing up for a busy weekend of bookings.

this is what we've been waiting for a long time. it takes away all the confusion, and that's been one of our biggest barriers, and one of the biggest reasons why people haven't been wanting to book — they're confused. but some scientists have warned that fewer people taking pcr tests, which are sent to labs for analysis, could make it harder to identify new variants of the virus being imported into england. at stamford airport, some travellers were concerned. i think it's good to keep the testing, in a way. i think it's safer for everyone. yes, we have to live with covid. however, i think it's still important to get tested. anyone's that's double—jabbed should be able to be tested without any extra tests and things. the new travel rules remain in place until the new year at least. the welsh government says it is considering whether to follow them. northern ireland has yet to announce any decision. but the scottish government won't at this stage change the tests travellers need to take due

to what it calls significant concerns about the impact on public health. simonjones, bbc simon jones, bbc news. there is some concern over how the monitoring for coronavirus variants will continue without the need for pcr tests. professor lawrence young is from the university of warwick. thank you very much for speaking to us on bbc news. i wonder, let me put that question straight to you, how are we going to monitor mutations if we are not using as many pcr tests? the idea is, if you have, after returning from abroad, after two days, a positive lateralflow returning from abroad, after two days, a positive lateral flow test, you then go ahead and have a pcr test. it is the pcr test that will be sequenced. that is relying on people to behave and have that test and to have a pcr test after they

have shown a lateral flow test to be positive. that is the bit we are all a bit worried about. just positive. that is the bit we are all a bit worried about.— a bit worried about. just because ou are a bit worried about. just because you are not _ a bit worried about. just because you are not coming _ a bit worried about. just because you are not coming from - a bit worried about. just because you are not coming from a i a bit worried about. just because you are not coming from a red i a bit worried about. just because l you are not coming from a red list country, doesn't mean you couldn't contract it from a green country, it would assume people would have to take a test and now we are saying we don't have to take a test? that take a test and now we are saying we don't have to take a test?— don't have to take a test? that is riaht, don't have to take a test? that is right. this _ don't have to take a test? that is right. this is _ don't have to take a test? that is right. this is a — don't have to take a test? that is right, this is a going _ don't have to take a test? that is right, this is a going to _ don't have to take a test? that is right, this is a going to result i don't have to take a test? that is right, this is a going to result in i right, this is a going to result in people bringing back more infections from abroad. given the high levels of infection we already have in the country, perhaps that is not much of an issue. the key issue has to be the importation of variance we know that previous waves of infection have been driven by travellers returning to the uk. look at what we are facing with the delta variant that originated in india. we mustn't let our guard down, it is important we keep genomic surveillance going, because we know that some of these

variants can affect the efficacy of vaccination. and that is the risk we are running, actually. ih vaccination. and that is the risk we are running, actually.— are running, actually. in your area of specialisation, _ are running, actually. in your area of specialisation, i _ are running, actually. in your area of specialisation, i understand i are running, actually. in your areaj of specialisation, i understand the coronavirus, mercifully is very slow to mutate. however, that doesn't let us off the hook does it? this business _ us off the hook does it? this business about _ us off the hook does it? this business about slow - us off the hook does it? this business about slow to i us off the hook does it? try 3 business about slow to mutate depends on the number of people infected. we know the worldwide burden of infection is very large. as the virus continues to spread and grow on individuals, it will inevitably change. that is the issue, we can see other variants p°pp|ng issue, we can see other variants p°pp|n9 up issue, we can see other variants popping up all the time, one recently in colombia, a new variant. there is a general worry that if we were dealing now with the original kent uk variant, we would be in a much stronger position. vaccination is doing a lot of the hard work but we know that even people who are doubly vaccinated can get infected and can bring back and spread virus.

what are your thoughts of this reliance of the vaccination programme? is it wise to rely on that, be dependent on that on the road to herd immunity? is herd immunity even valid with the way the coronavirus is mutating and we're probably going to need boosters, for example? hi probably going to need boosters, for examle? ., ., ~' probably going to need boosters, for examle? ., , ., example? if we looked at israel, the have example? if we looked at israel, they have a _ example? if we looked at israel, they have a large _ example? if we looked at israel, they have a large proportion i example? if we looked at israel, they have a large proportion of. example? if we looked at israel, l they have a large proportion of the population who are vaccinated, we can see herd immunity is a pipe dream. ifa more can see herd immunity is a pipe dream. if a more transmissible variant like delta, you have your total population, and i mean everybody, including children, up to 85%, and that is not going to happen. what we are dealing with now in terms of entering the autumn and winter, are two main drivers that will determine the outcome. one of them will be the immunity levels within the population and we know for certain individuals, they are starting to wane. the other side of

things is population mix and population behaviour. whilst vaccination is important and the role of immunity will provide protection, relying on that without being careful in terms of controlling the spread of the virus, wearing facemasks, limiting contacts, social distancing, being in well ventilated spaces, i think is a big risk. we need to hear more about the need for us all to be careful and behave accordingly. {lilia careful and behave accordingly. ok, rofessin: , careful and behave accordingly. ok, professing, thank you very much. —— professor. washington is seeking to defuse a diplomatic row, after france recalled its ambassadors in the us and australia in protest at a security deal which also includes the uk. the agreement will enable australia to develop a fleet of nuclear submarines, scuppering a lucrative deal it had already struck with the french. france has described the pact as "a stab in the back". our correspondent hugh schofield gave us the latest from paris. we already knew the french reaction

would be one of fury. we already heard jean—yves le drian, the foreign minister, on thursday saying it was like a �*stab in the back�*. but my reading is that president macron feels that 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, i think from the french point of view is the least of it. yes, there�*s money at stake, but far more important in french eyes 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, three english—speaking nations, without any kind of 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, though not significantly the british ambassador, is meant to reinforce this feeling that france is very unhappy, fears that there�*s a new world order being sorted out behind its back

in which it has no part. the bbc has said "it�*s not a legal requirement to be double—jabbed", following speculation that two of this year�*s strictly come dancing professional dancers have not been vaccinated against covid. the latest series starts tonight on bbc one but some of the celebrity dancers are reportedly reluctant to be paired with them. our correspondent aruna iyengar is here. just give us a bit of background and what is going on? the just give us a bit of background and what is going on?— what is going on? the launch programme _ what is going on? the launch programme takes _ what is going on? the launch programme takes place i what is going on? the launch i programme takes place tonight, it what is going on? the launch - programme takes place tonight, it is hugely anticipated and popular. 13 million people tuned in to the last final in december when bill bailey won. now there has been reports in the sun newspaper that two of the dancers have refused to be vaccinated. the press officer i spoke to from strictly completely

denied that that was the story at all and said basically, they