hello, good afternoon. this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. our headlines at 5pm: the majority of britain's trains are at a standstill and many stations are all but empty, as millions of people face disruption in the first of a series of rail strikes — the biggest in 30 years. the prime minister calls on travellers to "stay the course" during the strikes. many have had to drive, cycle or walk to their destinations. our company employs 50 drivers, and today, it's a disaster, thanks to them. i think they deserve it, but can we afford to give everybody a raise? as striking workers picket stations, a senior industry source tells the bbc that rail bosses and unions will hold fresh talks tomorrow.

i don't think sunday will be the end of it, from what i can see. if we can negotiate a deal this week, it can be, but otherwise we'll have to look at what campaigns we are going to put on going forward, and we think that other unions are going tojoin us in this dispute on the railway, and more broadly in society. it wasn't the employers that called the strike action. we wanted rmt. .. we wanted to do reform earlier. they have been discussing it with us, but they have not came forward with meaningful reform. in other news, ukraine is on the verge of losing control of the key city of severodonetsk. its troops have been pushed back to just one factory there. allegations of corruption and sexual abuse at the united nations — whistle—blowers call for an independent panel to investigate. an inquiry finds that the belfast health trust failed to intervene quickly enough on misdiagnoses by a consultant neurologist, resulting in northern ireland's largest ever patient recall.

and prince william, the duke of cambridge, turns a0 today. hello. deserted stations, empty tracks and millions of frustrated passengers — the biggest rail strike in a generation is under way, crippling services across england, scotland and wales. only a fifth of trains are running today, and there's more chaos in the capital, with separate industrial action on the london underground. today's rail strike will be followed by two more on thursday and saturday. network rail says passengers should only travel by train if absolutely necessary.

the red lines on this map shows where limited services will operate, but whole swathes of the country — where there are no lines — have no services at all. the dispute is between the rail, maritime and transport workers union and the companies which run britain's railways. it's centred on pay, job losses and changes to workers' terms and conditions. tonight, a senior industry source has told the bbc that rail bosses and union leaders will hold fresh talks tomorrow to try to resolve the dispute. our business correspondent colletta smith has this report. it's been the quietest of starts at stations across britain with services starting late, if at all. from tiny commuter platforms to the biggest station concourses, puzzled passengers faced a skeleton timetable in some areas, while north of edinburgh, much of wales and many coastal towns have no service at all. i should have been on a train, but i've had to get a national express now. so i'm on trains every day of the week for myjob,

so i don't support it at all, no. while stations may be quiet inside, there's plenty happening outside. the rail union rmt are striking over pay and redundancies, and have plans for more to come. i don't think sunday will be the end of it, from what i can see. if we can negotiate a deal this week, it can be, but otherwise we will have to look at what campaigns we're going to put on going forward, and we think that other unions are going tojoin to this dispute on the railway. the government could have made a move to settle this dispute, but instead they are escalating it. the lies that they are telling about railway workers and the railway industry are outrageous, but they can't resist it because this is a government that's a stranger to the truth. more than 40,000 union members from network rail and 13 train firms have walked out in the dispute. they say the government is the hidden hand blocking negotiations. but the mood music from the cabinet this morning shows little hope of a deal soon. we need to get ready to stay the course, to stay the course, because these reforms,

these improvements in the way we run our railways are in the interests of the travelling public. they will help to cut costs for fare payers up and down the country, but they are also in the interests of the railways, of railway workers and their families. train operators say big technical and practical changes are needed across the industry. things have changed from how people travelled in the 1970s, '80s, '90s, where sunday was never seen as a busy travelling day for the public. it's now the opposite, it's one of the busiest days we have. but we've got working practices that say that staff can just volunteer to come out on a sunday. that makes it very difficult to run a train service. of the few trains that are running today, most are broadly on time, though some have been impacted by delays already, like this one. if your train has been cancelled or rearranged, you are entitled to some money back through the delay repay scheme, whether it is a season ticket

or you havejust bought a one—off. 0n the london underground, there's a separate strike, with busy buses taking extra passengers as lots of tube lines run a limited service. in many parts of yorkshire, a strike on arriva buses is also adding to commuters' woes. with further rail strikes planned on thursday and saturday, it seems most passengers are sticking to official advice and going nowhere unless they have to. colletta smith, bbc news. lorna gordon is in glasgow central station. lorna, scotland has been really badly affected by today's strike action? it badly affected by today's strike action? . , ., , , , badly affected by today's strike action? . , , , , action? it really has been. this is scotland's _ action? it really has been. this is scotland's biggest _ action? it really has been. this is scotland's biggest train - action? it really has been. this is scotland's biggest train station. i scotland's biggest train station. normally, rams at the time of the day with commuters trying to get home, but look here, a couple hundred metres at best waiting for

trains. the last train goes at a quarter to 6pm, the last train south across the border to make then went at 2pm this afternoon. —— to england. they said have reduced services by the 90%, about 10% of their trains are running. they normally have about 2000 trains running a day. at the moment it's fewer than 200, and those five routes that are operating are in the central belt. there are no trains north of edinburgh or glasgow, no trains to dundee, no trains to inverness or aberdeen or perth. hospitality is and hotels are rude they're going to take a big hit. hospitality a talk but may be £50 million this week being lost in revenue, some talking about cancellations. transports: are not saying they are seeing increased traffic, which are choosing to work

from home, that pattern we saw during the pandemic. the british trend for secretary arguing they need to get around the table, calling for a full devolution of the real powers to skull and —— the transport secretary. == real powers to skull and -- the transport secretary.— real powers to skull and -- the transport secretary. -- rail powers to scotland- _ transport secretary. -- rail powers to scotland. lorna, _ transport secretary. -- rail powers to scotland. lorna, thank- transport secretary. -- rail powers to scotland. lorna, thank you. - 0ur wales correspondent, mark hutchings, gave us this update from cardiff central station. well, pretty much not many trains and not many people on them, i think is a fair assessment of the welsh rail network today. down to less than 10% of normal services, a complete wipe—out in north, mid and west wales. there are some trains running out of cardiff into the valleys' towns, and that's because they're on track that's owned and managed by transport for wales, who aren't — directly, at least — involved in this dispute. here, it's pretty much about the length between cardiff —— here, it's pretty much

about the links between cardiff and london at a reduced rate, just a train an hour today and wrapping up by teatime. the welsh government, like the scottish government, criticising ministers in the uk. they just said that the uk government have chosen to promote conflict — denied, of course, by uk ministers. as for normal rates, well, it's only about 3% of the welsh commuting public who travel by train on a normal day — clearly less than that today, i would say. people have clearly made alternative arrangements, most of them. it is one of those days, if you can find a train, you can probably find a seat. we can talk tojohn taylor, who's the former chief executive of acas — the advisory, conciliation and arbitration service, the organisation which tries to bring an end to industrial disputes. thank you very much indeed for being with us. we are more talks scheduled for tomorrow, tomorrow, but do you think any come outside force, whether it is acas or anybody else, can bring these two sites together?

it is first of all good news there are talks tomorrow, because you can never resolve anything about sitting down and talking about it. what you've got to remember about acas is that it you've got to remember about acas is thatitis you've got to remember about acas is that it is strictly neutral body and it does not have any powers, so it depends on whether the parties to this dispute want to come to it, and there is a wide—open door, i am sure. there is a wide-open door, i am sure. ~ . , there is a wide-open door, i am sure. ~ , ~ there is a wide-open door, i am sure. ~ , . sure. will was secret when you were runnina sure. will was secret when you were running acro — sure. will was secret when you were running we to _ sure. will was secret when you were running acro to come _ sure. will was secret when you were running acro to come in _ sure. will was secret when you were running acro to come in terms - sure. will was secret when you were running acro to come in terms of. running acro to come in terms of trying to settle disputes? == running acro to come in terms of trying to settle disputes? -- when ou were trying to settle disputes? -- when you were running _ trying to settle disputes? -- when you were running acas, _ trying to settle disputes? -- when you were running acas, in - trying to settle disputes? -- when you were running acas, in terms l trying to settle disputes? -- when| you were running acas, in terms of was yellow it is not much... it depends on wanting to try to come to some kind of agreement and some way that resolves a dispute. it is very, very rare you can resolve disputes in one fell swoop. this sounds a very complicated dispute, with

several different companies on the employer's side and one trade union, and that makes it more complex to come up with a solution, but i think a third party, sitting objectively, asking both sides too thick about areas that they agree on rather than disagree we'll start to take some of the heat out of the situation. the? the heat out of the situation. they do seem to _ the heat out of the situation. they do seem to have _ the heat out of the situation. they do seem to have fun _ the heat out of the situation. they do seem to have fun mental differences, and labour are saying the government should get involved in this —— fundamental. try to and the deadlock, if you like, but the government, grant shapps, the transport secretary, have been saying the day when union leaders would go into number 10 downing street over a beer and sandwiches and negotiate with the government, they are over. it is and negotiate with the government, they are over-— they are over. it is certainly a lona , they are over. it is certainly a long. long — they are over. it is certainly a long, long time _ they are over. it is certainly a long, long time since - they are over. it is certainly a long, long time since we - they are over. it is certainly a long, long time since we had | they are over. it is certainly a - long, long time since we had beer and sandwiches with trade union leaders! normally, it was pizzas by

the time i was leaving, but, yeah, you're quite right. successive governments have withdrawn from this particular area. governments have withdrawn from this particulararea. if governments have withdrawn from this particular area. if you went back many years, pay policies, the decisions taken in the 80s, continued by both administrations, the both sides of the agreement need to make peace, generally, that has worked, but now you've got these massive external factors which have come in from the field, covid, massive inflation, which changes the situation. , . ., ., situation. there is a threat that these strikes _ situation. there is a threat that these strikes could _ situation. there is a threat that these strikes could go - situation. there is a threat that these strikes could go on, - situation. there is a threat that these strikes could go on, not. situation. there is a threat that. these strikes could go on, notjust this week, but throughout the summer. . . . ., , , summer. yeah, and certainly in my time, summer. yeah, and certainly in my time. i've — summer. yeah, and certainly in my time. i've seen _ summer. yeah, and certainly in my time, i've seen strikes _ summer. yeah, and certainly in my time, i've seen strikes run - summer. yeah, and certainly in my time, i've seen strikes run and - summer. yeah, and certainly in my time, i've seen strikes run and run| time, i've seen strikes run and run and run, and the only people who really suffer from that are both

sides but of course the public as well, the taxpayer, who are the innocent party, if you like, and thatis innocent party, if you like, and that is why we would always urge people to sit down and try and take the longer term view about what you want to achieve.— the longer term view about what you want to achieve. thank you very much indeed. want to achieve. thank you very much indeed- that's — want to achieve. thank you very much indeed. that's john _ want to achieve. thank you very much indeed. that's john taylor, _ want to achieve. thank you very much indeed. that's john taylor, former - indeed. that'sjohn taylor, former chief executive officer at acas, the arbitration and conciliation service. we can speak now to philip haigh, railwayjournalist and a former deputy editor of rail magazine. an expert on the railways. first of all, this week, we are looking at three days of strikes, but in total, we've been told it will mean six days of disruption because of all the knock on effects.— the knock on effects. yes, absolutely. _ the knock on effects. yes, absolutely, and _ the knock on effects. yes, absolutely, and i'm - the knock on effects. yes, absolutely, and i'm afraid| the knock on effects. yes, i absolutely, and i'm afraid the the knock on effects. yes, - absolutely, and i'm afraid the way these strikes, these 2a hour strikes work, it means that anybody who normally would do a night shift tonight, doing the work from 10—

midnight, they won't be going because the rmt has instructed its members not to sign on for shifts between midnight and midnight, so there will be shortages of staff through the night and into tomorrow morning. that means operators of network rail can very possibly run fewer services than possible. there may be other things that also need sorting out overnight that won't get done, so the bottom line from all of this is tomorrow, we will see reduced timetables and possible disruption too. figs reduced timetables and possible disruption too. $5 i reduced timetables and possible disruption too.— reduced timetables and possible disruption too. as i was saying, we are exoecting _ disruption too. as i was saying, we are expecting more _ disruption too. as i was saying, we are expecting more talks _ disruption too. as i was saying, we | are expecting more talks tomorrow. do you think there is any chance they are going to bear fruit? because this is notjust about a pay claim, is it? you are notjust haggling over a percentage pay rise. there is also to different issues, there isjobs, railway modernisation, working conditions and so on. it modernisation, working conditions and so on. , .,

modernisation, working conditions and so on. , . , , and so on. it is a fiendishly complex — and so on. it is a fiendishly complex package - and so on. it is a fiendishly complex package to - and so on. it is a fiendishly - complex package to negotiate, but the top line of it, if you like, or a pay rise the unions are chasing. they are also chasing a pledge of no compulsory redundancies from any changes that happen to working practices, and that is very, very difficult for employers to give without treating hostage to fortune, although from what i understand, talking to the employers, they are keen that any redundancies that take place are voluntary, which is something the union is sort of excepting but never really very keen on. it would far rather have that harder line, no compulsory redundancies, but at the moment, i think that's holding talks of. the two sides will not progress until they can get around that problem. can you see any mechanism for a compromise that might maybe not avert this week's checks but strikes

in the future as we were discussing —— this week's strikes? as we were discussing, we could be facing a summer of more discontent to. from to sa , i summer of more discontent to. from to say. i think _ summer of more discontent to. from to say, i think there _ summer of more discontent to. from to say, i think there will— summer of more discontent to. from to say, i think there will be _ summer of more discontent to. fs'rrrn to say, i think there will be more strike action coming over the summer. this all comes down to willingness to negotiate from both sides, willingness to make compromises on both sides, and i detect some willingness from the employer's side, but i think the union is almost enjoying its moment in a strike limelight, is not keen to change, and all this rhetoric about getting government involved, it makes me think that the rmt won't be satisfied until the government is involved, and actually that's the last thing network rail and the operators want. they want to be freer from operators want. they want to be freerfrom government, they don't want government breathing down their

neck at every opportunity, so that's a really, really difficult factor to get around for the two negotiating sides. �* ., ~ get around for the two negotiating sides. �* . ~ ., sides. and we talked at the beginning _ sides. and we talked at the beginning about _ sides. and we talked at the j beginning about disruption. sides. and we talked at the - beginning about disruption. what about the knock on effect of banning overtime? it is about the knock on effect of banning overtime? , ., ,., about the knock on effect of banning overtime? , ., . overtime? it is not so much, i think, banning _ overtime? it is not so much, i think, banning overtime, - overtime? it is not so much, i- think, banning overtime, although thatis think, banning overtime, although that is one of the union's industrial levers, i think the railway needs to move to a situation where it does not rely on overtime from staff, so they can run a decent sunday service, because sunday's are increasingly busy day for railway companies. lots of people want to travel at weekends and the sunday service is what it should be —— is not what it should be. it is moving away from a reliance on overtime. that might actually mean that rail companies and network rail have to take more stuff on, rather than making staff redundant. it is also negotiate and i do hope that the two sides to this dispute get around the

table and start seriously talking. philip haigh, did to get your —— your take on what is happening and to look into the future, philip haigh, railwayjournalist. the headlines on bbc news: the majority of britain's trains are at a standstill and many stations are all but empty, as millions of people face disruption in the first of a series of rail strikes — the biggest in 30 years. as travellers switch to buses and bicycles, an industry source tells the bbc rail bosses and union leaders will hold fresh talks tomorrow. in other news, ukraine is on verge of losing control of the key city of severodonetsk. its troops have been pushed back to just one factory there.

an inquiry has found that the belfast health trust failed to intervene quickly enough in the practice of a consultant neurologist. more than 5,000 of michael watt�*s patients were recalled, to have their cases examined for possible misdiagnoses. the inquiry concluded that problems in his work were missed for about a decade. let's speak to our ireland correspondent emma vardy. just give us the background to this case. , . ' ~ just give us the background to this case. , . , . ., , just give us the background to this case. . case. this affected many people in northern ireland _ case. this affected many people in northern ireland back _ case. this affected many people in northern ireland back in _ case. this affected many people in northern ireland back in 2018, - case. this affected many people in northern ireland back in 2018, and thousands of patience started receiving letters, telling them that this large patient recall was taking place and they had to come back into be reassessed —— thousands of patients for the largest patient recall the belfast health trust hasn't had. these are patience suffering from, people had strokes or suffering from parkinson's disease or ms, and they were being treated by the consultant neurologist dr michael watt, who

worked at the royal victoria hospital in belfast. great concern for the many people who receive these letters and in the years that followed, it came to be found about a fit patience who were recall —— a fit of those patients were not given an appropriate management plan at about one fifth that all had not been given appropriate prescription, so inquiries were set up to find out how this happened. this one that is reporting back today looking at the way complaints had been flagged up and why they were not taken more seriously, and that overall finding really is that belfast health trust should have intervened much sooner and in little deeper than that as well, the inquiry has concluded is that there was a culture of reticence between health practitioners to flight up concerns about their colleagues and that there was a culture which inhibited that, that had not been the case for perhaps some of the red flags being taken seriously a little earlier. the inquiry found there were warning

signs spanning ten years, where this could have been taken more seriously, but was not, and which in the end that to this huge patient recall, and to be question for many of those patients will be, how could this happen? how was one doctor making many, many errors, many failings? and those questions are largely left unanswered for patients, because dr michael watt, he deregistered from the register before the hearing, he did not have to be accountable for that, he also did not give evidence at this inquiry for his lawyer says he is suffering from mental health issues, but that left patients thinking he was left on accountable, many patients saying they felt trauma, facing uncertainty over those years, waiting to find out why they were being recalled and whether they had been given incorrect health advice. anna, thank you very much indeed.

that is an of already, our ireland correspondent —— that is an of —— that is emma vardy. the first image showing armed police waiting in a corridor during last month's school shooting in uvalde has emerged in local media in texas. news service austin american—statesman and local tv station kvue—tv, who released the photo, say it shows that police arrived earlier in the attack and with more powerful weapons meanwhile, it's emerged the classroom door in the school where 19 children and two teachers were killed in may was not locked even as police waited for a key. covid infections are rising in the uk.

two new fast—spreading subvariants of 0micron, baa and ba5, are causing fresh surges of covid around the world. what's going on and how worried should we be? let's speak to dr kit yates, a mathematical biologist at the university of bath. thank you for being with us. how worried should we be by these rising cases and sub variance? we worried should we be by these rising cases and sub variance?— cases and sub variance? we are undoubtedly — cases and sub variance? we are undoubtedly in _ cases and sub variance? we are undoubtedly in the _ cases and sub variance? we are undoubtedly in the third - cases and sub variance? we are undoubtedly in the third wave i undoubtedly in the third wave leaving spirits in the last six months. we have seen increasing proportions of people testing positive across all the home nations of the uk in the last 0ns infection survey, a randomised service, does not rely on lateral flow tests or people doing it. we are also seeing rises across every region of in then and in every age group. for people following this closely, we have been expecting this for a while because we've been watching the sub variance of 0micron growing in the proportion of 0micron growing in the proportion of all the cases that are out there, so it is now, they've overtaken the sub variance that was freakishly dominant in the wave in march and april, so —— previously dominant. yeah, we should be keeping an eye on this. the things we usually asked

with a new variant, is more transmissible, is it more severe? there is no evidence it is more severe at the moment, but clearly it is spring faster than previous variance at the moment, so it is potentially able to invade some existing immunity and so we are seeing rises and hospitalisations and subsequently we will see rises in deaths from this variance. find and subsequently we will see rises in deaths from this variance. and as we have been _ in deaths from this variance. and as we have been told, _ in deaths from this variance. and as we have been told, they _ in deaths from this variance. and as we have been told, they will - in deaths from this variance. and as we have been told, they will be - in deaths from this variance. and as l we have been told, they will be more sub variance and more variance in the future, presumably.— sub variance and more variance in the future, presumably. yeah, there is no reason — the future, presumably. yeah, there is no reason to _ the future, presumably. yeah, there is no reason to believe _ the future, presumably. yeah, there is no reason to believe this - the future, presumably. yeah, there is no reason to believe this won't - is no reason to believe this won't be the pattern we live with for the next indefinite future, unfortunately, potentially getting worse in the winter, when people are beating indoors, when we know covid spreads more easily —— meeting indoors. if people are outside, they are not immune. it is not transmitting as much, but still this

variant is spreading, causing rises and cases and hospitalisations, so this is the foreseeable future for covid unless we do something. at}! covid unless we do something. of course, in this country, we have very high vaccination rates, but in some countries in the world, it is still pretty low, actually, is it not, and that is a concern? it is, absolutely- _ not, and that is a concern? it is, absolutely. and _ not, and that is a concern? it is, absolutely. and really, - not, and that is a concern? it is, absolutely. and really, we - not, and that is a concern? it is, l absolutely. and really, we need to do as much as we possibly can to share vaccine technology. there was an agreement from the wto earlier this week to share some of the recipes for vaccines, but not the know how to make them and also not any thing on anti—viral drugs or diagnostic tests, so in some sense, we are very fortunate in the uk, but also most people are at least six months out from the booster and their community is waning, especially to these new variance, so we need to also look at potentially boosting our own population in the autumn. ., , boosting our own population in the autumn. . , ., ~ i. autumn. 0k, kit yates, thank you very much — autumn. 0k, kit yates, thank you

very much indeed _ autumn. ok, kit yates, thank you very much indeed for— and your time. and yourtime. —— and your time. —— for your analysis and your time. —— for your analysis and your time. —— for your analysis and your time. meanwhile, russia has threatened lithuania with serious consequences over a ban on the transport of goods to the russian territory of kaliningrad. the growing row follows lithuania's decision to ban the transit of some goods to kaliningrad, which is bordered only by eu countries and has no land connection to the russian mainland. the enclave is strategically important to russia and was retained by russia after the break—up of the soviet union. kaliningrad is also the main base for russia's baltic fleet. moscow says the ban breaks international law and has summoned the eu ambassador. i'm joined now by sergei goryashko, who's a senior reporter for bbc russian. thanks very much for being with us. just explain a bit more about what kaliningrad is. people might not be too familiar with the geography of the when you, but it is a real

potential flashpoint between lithuania, one of the baltic nations, and russia, its giant neighbour. nations, and russia, its giant neighbour-— nations, and russia, its giant neiuhbour. ~ , , ., , neighbour. absolutely. it is a very im ortant neighbour. absolutely. it is a very important part _ neighbour. absolutely. it is a very important part western, - neighbour. absolutely. it is a very important part western, the - neighbour. absolutely. it is a very important part western, the most western point of russia itself, so this is an enclave which situates is situated between two nato and eu members, poland and lithuania, and this is russia's entrance to the baltic sea, so it is a strategic point for russia, especially in the circumstances of when its northern neighbours like finland and sweden are actually going to join the nato alliance, and create a hostile environment for russia, which is why they are keen to keep kaliningrad supplied and to keep having their military, a significant military presence, there. russia has placed

ballistic missiles in kaliningrad. this is a very important step for them and this is important to hold this outpost and to rely on it, so the blocking of the transit by lithuania actually made moscow furious, and i think through this explanation, we can understand why. and vladimir putin is clearly infuriated by this and he keeps talking about the new russia that he is creating, he sees himself almost, it seems, as peter the great. he has talked about peter the great, hasn't he? and are these russian enclaves, transnistria in moldova and the two in ukraine, and these have become real flashpoints in ukraine, and these have become realflashpoints under in ukraine, and these have become real flashpoints under vladimir putin, haven't they? it is

real flashpoints under vladimir putin, haven't they?— putin, haven't they? it is true, a art putin, haven't they? it is true, apart from _ putin, haven't they? it is true, apart from the _ putin, haven't they? it is true, apart from the thing _ putin, haven't they? it is true, apart from the thing that - apart from the thing that kaliningrad is russian sovereign territory and it is recognised by the world and by the western world especially and transnistria, these are proxy countries with proxy governments, which are under control of moscow but not the russian territory at all, and you would say that russia has its sovereignty there, though it influences quite —— its influence is watching and bacon. in this situation, with putin's view of his role in history like peter the great, and he is talking about the wars which peter the great conducted, of course the suggestion can be seen as frightening, it looks like a hostile environment, and it looks like because a belly for russia, but

russia has economic measures and even up to and referring to the wto in the situation of the blocking of the transit —— causi bella. some people in the government and the governor of the leningrad, they think that the you just forgot to —— kaliningrad, theyjust think the european union forgot to... so, probably the situation will come up to this decision, although for now, moscow is taking escalating steps. thanks very much for your analysis, sergei goryashko. thank you very much indeed from a bbc russian. we are going to pause and take a look the latest weather forecast for you, and that comes from darren bett. hello there. for many parts of england and wales, it has been a very warm day today in the sunshine. we've seen more cloud,

scotland and northern ireland, but it continues to break up a bit, some patchy cloud continuing into the night. for many parts of england and wales, clear skies and temperatures are going to be typically 11 or 12 degrees. we may start quite cloudy in northern ireland. should see some sunshine coming through here and more sunshine, than today in scotland, particularly in the east. the sunnier skies are going to be across england and wales. strong sunshine, very high grass pollen levels, and we can add a couple of degrees onto the temperatures as well. widely, 26, 27 degrees. a little bit warmer than today in northern ireland and quite a bit warmer in the sunshine for eastern parts of scotland. heading into thursday, some changes. some heavy, potentially thundery showers moving up from the english channel to southern parts of england and wales. still some cloud for western scotland and northern ireland, but otherwise some sunshine. it continues to be a very warm day, but with those showers moving northwards, we've got the highest temperatures in the midlands and also across northern england. hello, this is bbc news with ben brown. the headlines.

the majority of britain's trains are at a standstill — and many stations are all but empty, as millions of people face disruption in the first of a series of rail strikes — the biggest in 30 years. the prime minister calls on travellers to 'stay the course' during the strikes — many have had to drive, cycle or walk to their destinations. as striking workers picket stations, a senior industry source tells the bbc that rail bosses and unions will hold fresh talks tomorrow. in other news — ukraine is on the verge of losing control of the key city of sevradonetsk — its troops have been pushed back to just one factory there. an inquiry finds that the belfast health trust failed to intervene quickly enough on misdiagnoses by a consultant neurologist — resulting in northern ireland's largest ever patient recall.

sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre good evening. we start at eastbourne and what an afternoon it's been for the british pair of katie boulter and ryan penistone — both beating seeded players to reach the last 16. british number four boulter beat last year's wimbledon runner—up karolina pliskova, coming back from a set down. she won the second set 6—4. and then the third set by the same score to get her first win over a top 10 player. she'll play donna vekic or petra kvitova next. i'm super proud of myself today. i went out there and i did not feel great on court but i worked so hard to get out there and battle and fight, and against a player like that you mean

so much to come through. i tried to stay with her on serve, she was serving well and i had a lot of opportunities in the first set. i had a few 40—15s which i let go of, but i was able to stay with her as much as i could. likewise, britain's ryan peniston's great run on grass continues — the wildcard is into the last 16 at eastbourne after a battling performance earlier. the 26 year old, who reached the quarter finals at queens last week, came from a set down to beat french open quarter finalist holger rune 6—1 in the deciding set. warming up for wimbledon — serena williams is playing herfirst competitive tennis in nearly a year this evening. the 23—time grand slam winner, who is now 40, hasn't played since her emotional exit from wimbledon last summer when she was forced to retire with an injury in the opening round.

she plays in the women's doubles this evening at eastbourne alongside the world number three 0ns jabeur who says it's been hard to keep their planned partnership a secret women's qualifying continuing. live pictures here from bbc iplayer, court number 11, ella mcdonald who are giving and ohio, the 16—year—old from preston. playing a former two—time when bolting quarter of finalist coco vandeweghe. this is to a deciding site, i believe. it is 3— all in the deciding set. what a story this could potentially be for ella mcdonald. you can follow that on iplayer. let's watch a little bit of tennis, why not? a fault ella mcdonald want to watch, hoping to do what morata cano has done and that

is have a run at wimbledon —— and morata cano. delicately poised in that deciding sat. delicately poised in that deciding sat. in golf — bbc sport understands that the four time major champion brooks koepka is set tojoin greg norman's saudi funded breakaway series. there are widespread reports he'll play in the upcoming event in portland, oregon next week. he'd join the likes of dustinjohnson, bryson dechambeau and patrick reed by taking part in the rebel invitational series, and like them would face suspension from the pga tour. england begin their third and final test against new zealand tomorrow, but their preparations have suffered a setback with captain ben stokes missing today's training because of illness. the rest of the squad have been at headingly. england hold an unassailable 2—0 lead in the series. stokes is yet to name an official vice captain butjoe root or stuart broad are two possibilities to deputise if he isn't well enough to play. the chairwoman of the football association has publicly backed england manager gareth southgate. his role's come under scrutiny

after a poor run of recent form. but debbie hewitt says she's spoken to southgate to reassure him about his long term future, and has praised him for his resilience and accountability. rugby league has banned transgender players from women's international competition until further notice. the ruling follows a decision by swimming's world governing body — fina to restrict trans athletes�* participation. international rugby league says it needs more time before finalising its policy and wants to "balance the individual�*s right to take part against perceived risk to other participants". advocacy groups say the policy violates human rights. the ban will apply to the world cup in england in october. all he will have more for you on that story all he will have more for you on at 630. that's all the sport for now. back now to today's rail strke and more than 40,000 rmt members at all levels are expected to be taking part in industrial action — including lower paid staff like apprentices and station staff.

this makes it the biggest rail dispute since 1989. it's caused huge disruption,. but what are the reasons behind such a big decision from the unions? here's ben thompson to explain. the transport union the rmt says this is a dispute overjob security, a freeze on pay and what it sees as poor management of the industry. it says that network rail�*s plans to cut to 9000 maintenance jobs would make accidents more likely because the roles of a safety critical. it adds that many have had their pay frozen despite working throughout the pandemic. the rmt is leaders say despite weeks of negotiations they've only been offered a 2% pay rise. network rail disputes at

saying they've been offered 3%, at the 2% rise plus another 1% if they meet our efficiency and productivity targets. the union says that's not enough, there's a cost—of—living source and are asking for 7.1%. we are firmly of _ source and are asking for 7.1%. - are firmly of the belief that the only way for us to settle

there are good reasons why. as a kind of modernisation that would improve safety which is being held back. he improve safety which is being held back. ,, , . ., improve safety which is being held back. , . . ., 4' back. he says the change in working habits brought _ back. he says the change in working habits brought about _ back. he says the change in working habits brought about by _ back. he says the change in working habits brought about by the - back. he says the change in working i habits brought about by the pandemic means the uk rail industry needs to modernise to survive. is means the uk rail industry needs to modernise to survive.— modernise to survive. is that really the case? figures _ modernise to survive. is that really the case? figures from _ modernise to survive. is that really the case? figures from the - modernise to survive. is that really the case? figures from the office l the case? figures from the office for road and rail show 2022 passenger numbers were about 60% of pre—pandemic levels. that could suggest long—term changes in our travel habits, with more of us not working from home, for at least some of the time. but more recently, passenger numbers have been rising. the latest data shows that by may the number of passengers had risen to between 86 and 92% of pre—covid levels. the union say there are also bigger problems with the way the industry is run. £16 billion was pumped into the industry by taxpayers during the pandemic to keep the network going. the rmt says

thatjust helped boost profits for private businesses, subcontractors and operators who they claim made £500 million in profit last year. on top of that, there is the cost of leasing passenger carriages and other vehicles to so—called rolling stock from private companies. the rmt say that that is out those fears make a record £3 billion in revenue in 2021. we ask network rail in the department for transport about that figure, they say they weren't sure how it would've been calculated and could have provided an alternative. everyone agrees at the rail industry needs reforming. there are still big questions about how that stunk about where the money is saved or invested and how best to predict demand to make the service fit for the future. well, let's take a look now at how the disruption today has been affecting people's lives — this report by richard galpin. there are no trains- from this station today... earlier this morning,

the impact of the strike laid bare. no rush of commuters in search of coffee and tea at this cafe in farncombe in surrey. for the cafe owner, it's distressing. he's onlyjust now getting his business back up and running after covid. for us, itjust feels disastrous. we got a big hit from thejubilee, people weren't travelling, it was a very long weekend. you know, 70% of our business is from commuters and if we haven't got that then literally, as you can see, you know, we are making coffee for ourselves and twiddling our thumbs a little bit. trains across the country are now stationary and this could continue for several days. for many, the disruption caused a big blow. i was going to penzance to paint somebody�*s house, and now it looks like i won't be going all week, so, yeah, that's really kind of screwed me up. it is ridiculous. i work for the nhs, i have to be

there on time and... i know, i get it, things are tough right now but i don't think... i think we should all fulfil our duty and do our role, right? as tourists we can't - actually go anywhere other than where we can walk to. it's a bit tricky to get around. while all this is causing disruption for many people, there are plenty of others who are not affected at all because they work from home and are very happy to do so. my working life changed forever. the pandemic forced my company to take steps to actually make it possible for me to work from home, which simply wasn't on the cards before. my company have said that they would prefer me to work from home during strike days. this is going to save me money, it's going to save me time, and i think i will be a more productive employee. for those planning social events it will be more difficult and expensive without the trains running. a couple of years ago

we booked to see the dreamgirls in leeds. we are a group of wonderful theatre ladies, let's say. 0ur passion is to go and watch the theatre as often as we can. the matinee will fall on this thursday, which happens to be my big, big birthday. we always go by train, it's far easier to come into bradford, to the theatres there, or to go into leeds. plan b is taxis, and adding on extra expense, really. and there is no sign the disruption will end any time soon, with more strikes planned for thursday and saturday. richard galpin, bbc news. in the last hour or so we've heard that a senior industry sources told us that real bosses and union leaders are going to be holding fresh talks tomorrow to try to resolve the strike. it is the biggest rail strike in 30 years. not only today but two more days

scheduled this week of strike action, thursday and saturday. most of the focus has been on the government labour have had their own reaction on this, sir keir starmer is reportedly told his front ventures not to join is reportedly told his front ventures not tojoin picket lines, that's got quite a few on the left of the party. let's talk tojenny chapman, shadow minister for the cabinet office. have you been on a picket line today? no, i have not been on the picket line today. why not? because i've been incredibly busy today and i've been incredibly busy today and i've been incredibly busy today and i've been making it myjob to lobby the government who should have been doing theirjob for the last few weeks as is dispute has escalated. do you support the strike was met before the strike, yes they should have been getting people together to prevent this strike from happening sorry, the question was, do you support the stri? we want this resolved. every time there's a strike at spec because negotiations

have been unsuccessful. we shouldn't have had to get to this point. if the government had stepped up, rolled its sleeves up and used its convening power and got the parties the trade union and the train operating companies around the tables this week could've been avoided. but we are what we are. let's move forward. what needs to happen now is the government needs to stop with the divisive rhetoric and the name—calling and throwing insults around on the media and get people into a room and get this thing resolved. 5ir gather told front ventures not to join the picket lines at railway stations and yet we've had several who have. a tweet with solidarity with the workers and a picture with pickets in a railway station. will those mps who did that, who are front ventures, will they be

disciplined by the leadership? eight don't think we _ disciplined by the leadership? e grit don't think we ought to blow this out of proportion. the reason keir starmer said what he did is he is someone who aspires to be prime minister. and the shadow cabinet has agreed with people who aspire to run government in waiting, if you like. and the point that kier makes is if you say you are a government in waiting, you need to behave like a government in waiting. and the kind of government that keir starmer would be reading is one that has got itself in a position where it would be supporting a resolution of the dispute and getting the parties together to negotiate a settlement, that could not be more different to the approach that the government that we have was taking. you only have to look at the approach that the welsh labour government has taken where they've been added to avoid a dispute in wales today. unlike the government in england to see a different approach really pays dividends and can help passengers

avoid the disruption that people in england are enduring today. the roblem england are enduring today. the problem is _ england are enduring today. the problem is there a different approaches within the labour party as well, aren't they are? there's been quite a few labour mps on picket lines including sc front ventures. they were told not to do that by keir starmer. iuntil]! ventures. they were told not to do that by keir starmer.— that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? _ that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? with _ that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? with the _ that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? with the best - that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? with the best will. that by keir starmer. will they be disciplined? with the best will in | disciplined? with the best will in the world i don't think the fact that a couple of labour mps have gone on a picket line is going to make any material difference to the lives of people who have been affected by this disruption today. but it's interesting, it's about also your leader in scotland as well has spoken of solidarity for the union today. we has spoken of solidarity for the union today-— has spoken of solidarity for the union today. we have a leader in scotland who _ union today. we have a leader in scotland who is _ union today. we have a leader in scotland who is elected - union today. we have a leader in scotland who is elected to - union today. we have a leader in scotland who is elected to do - union today. we have a leader in| scotland who is elected to do that job in his own right in scotland. we don'tjust say we job in his own right in scotland. we don't just say we respect his don'tjust say we respect his right to do thatjob, as he sees fit, we already say that, we mean it, that is a decision who i think is doing a

greatjob and he's a good friend and i respect him enormously as does keir starmer. as for discipline and the parliamentary labour party, obviously as you know, that is a matter for our whips obviously as you know, that is a matterfor our whips in obviously as you know, that is a matter for our whips in their office. what they don't need for me i am sure, is my views on the subject being broadcast to the nation on the bbc news channel. the main point is in the main thing i really want to get across is that the approach the prime minister keir starmer would take to this would be so different to the one we get from the tories who have been stoking this up, they've been courting division, even over the last few weeks. this is where it has landed us. ~ ., weeks. this is where it has landed us. ~ . ., , _ us. the rmt leader was saying yesterday. _ us. the rmt leader was saying yesterday, keir _ us. the rmt leader was saying yesterday, keir starmer - us. the rmt leader was saying yesterday, keir starmer needs| us. the rmt leader was saying i yesterday, keir starmer needs to decide what side is on, notjust in this dispute but there will be other disputes further down the track, potentially, other unions who will be looking for pay rises who may be

walking out. let me ask you, are you on the right side of public opinion? is an opinion poll we have in now and i'll give you the results, it says more than what one half of people say rail strikes are justified. 56% of people said that a justified, more than 66% say government are not done enough to prevent the strikes. are you out of step with public opinion on this? white can you not support the stri? the thought of coming out taking a particular position or doing a particular position or doing a particular thing would help resolve the strings that we would do it. that's not the judgment we've taken. whose side are we on? were onside of people who are the working women and men who want this resolved. this includes rail workers and this includes rail workers and this includes people who need to get a hospital, who need to get to work, to get to school today. nobody is

enjoying this, this is not something that we wanted to see today. it's certainly not something we want to see again on thursday or saturday. it's deeply damaging, no one thinks this is a huge triumph, it really isn't. what matters now is the people involved in finding a solution are able to do so. the government has a role in this. so far it hasn't stepped up to take that role but he really need to do so now. ,, ., ., ~ , ., so now. shadow minister for the cabinet office. _ the british tourism group, visitbritain, says the hospitality sector will lose half a billion pounds as a result of today's strike. let's talk to its ceo, patricia yates. good to have you with us. what is the damage being done and what you estimate? the the damage being done and what you estimate? ., ., the damage being done and what you estimate? . . ., �* , , estimate? the damage that's being done is in immediate _ estimate? the damage that's being done is in immediate but _ estimate? the damage that's being done is in immediate but the - estimate? the damage that's being i done is in immediate but the concern is the longer term damage. we have

seenin is the longer term damage. we have seen in uncertainty and the industry at a time that the tourism industry wants to rebuild, wants to encourage international visitors, notjust wants to rebuild, wants to encourage international visitors, not just to see london but to go out in london, to see an uncertainty on public transport means that people might think we won't, we will travel. and the industry has lost £50 billion over the last two years, reserves the very low, business is definitely want to trade right across the count . �* , ., , want to trade right across the count . �*, �* country. it's the last thing you'd need right _ country. it's the last thing you'd need right now, _ country. it's the last thing you'd need right now, i _ country. it's the last thing you'd need right now, i guess - need right now, i guess post—pandemic. it's notjust this week strike, there's a possibility of more stripes on the railways in the weeks and months ahead. i think the weeks and months ahead. i think the uncertainty _ the weeks and months ahead. i think the uncertainty is _ the weeks and months ahead. i think the uncertainty is even _ the weeks and months ahead. i think the uncertainty is even more - the uncertainty is even more worrying than the impact of today's strikes and this week strike. the uncertainty means people won't book to come, people will go to other destinations. we can already see in the domestic market that there is a tendency to book very late and that

makes it really hard for the industry to know what visitors are going to look like. there's already a degree of concern there. this just adds uncertainty to an industry that uncertainty, want to be welcoming visitors back. fin uncertainty, want to be welcoming visitors back-— visitors back. on the other hand, some of the _ visitors back. on the other hand, some of the chaos _ visitors back. on the other hand, some of the chaos that _ visitors back. on the other hand, some of the chaos that we've - visitors back. on the other hand, i some of the chaos that we've seen with the airlines, quite a lot of people are saying in this country to have steak asian holidays this year. they might�*ve thought so. now they are seeing —— steak asian. chaos at the airport not good, not good internationally. it doesn't necessarily encourage people to stay at home but uncertainty on the railways will really impact that domestic spend that we are trying to encourage to come out of london. good to talk to you. prince charles and the duchess

of cornwall arrive in rwanda today to attend the commonwealth heads of government meeting — although they have no engagements today. foreign ministers and heads of government from the fifty—four commonwealth countries are due to meet later this week. i'm joined now by our correspondentjoice etutu, who's in the rwandan capital kigali. thank you for being with us. tell us about this meeting and how important it is. , , , ., it is. this is the first meeting to take place _ it is. this is the first meeting to take place in — it is. this is the first meeting to take place in four _ it is. this is the first meeting to take place in four years - it is. this is the first meeting to take place in four years after. it is. this is the first meeting to take place in four years after a i take place in four years after a somewhat hiatus. because of the covid pandemic. 54 heads of state are due to come to the meeting this year and of course the prime minister borisjohnson is also supposed to be in attendance as well as the prince of wales. dd decision select rwanda as the host for this years meeting has proved to be

somewhat controversial, especially given the uk and rwandan deal and some of the very fierce objections that has phase. it also given what some people are calling rwanda's terrible history of human rights abuses. also the ongoing diplomatic tensions against rwanda and the democratic republic of condo. many people are waiting to see which issues are going to be addressed at this years meeting. —— republic of congo. this years meeting. -- republic of conuo. ., ., ., congo. the whole row over the british government _ congo. the whole row over the british government trying - congo. the whole row over the british government trying to i congo. the whole row over the i british government trying to send asylum—seekers to rwanda and prince charles who is going to be there in rwanda having said that is reported to have said that that was appalling. how embarrassing is all this going to be on his his visit to rolando? == this going to be on his his visit to rolando? . ., ., ., ,

rolando? -- rwanda. the royalfamily is very much — rolando? -- rwanda. the royalfamily is very much regarded _ rolando? -- rwanda. the royalfamily is very much regarded and _ rolando? -- rwanda. the royalfamily is very much regarded and highly - is very much regarded and highly respected across the african continent and with several delegates across the african countries as well is in the commonwealth. we are all just waiting to see the reaction that people will have a what the prince of wales will say it once he actually arrives and once he engages in interacts with people across rwanda. ., ~ in interacts with people across rwanda. ., ,, , ., in interacts with people across rwanda. ., ~' , ., , in interacts with people across rwanda. ., ,, , . the uk health security agency is recommending that some gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox should be offered vaccines to help control the recent outbreak. initially, the agency had recommended only close contacts of cases, including healthcare workers be offered the vaccine, imvanex. more than 2,500 cases of monkeypox have been reported in over 35 countries. let's talk to our medical editor, fergus walsh.

that is it for me this hour. let's take a look at the latest weather. the heat is continuing to build just for a few days before it turns cooler this weekend. today it was a turn of england and wales to see temperatures into the mid—20s in the strong sunshine and blue skies. there's been much more cloud across scotland and northern ireland. temperatures today not quite as high as they were yesterday. that cloud is continuing to thin so this evening and into the night we will have patchy cloud for scotland and northern ireland. generally across england and wales in a cloud we have will melt away and we will have clear skies. temperatures typically overnight 11 or 12 degrees. could be milder than that in northern ireland if there is claudia, i suspect we will break to that card and get some sunshine through the day on wednesday. more sunshine to come across scotland, particularly in the east was a sunny skies continue to

be across england and wales, no wind at all, temperatures rising rapidly once again, adding a couple of degrees on today's values. for many, 26, 20 7 degrees. degrees on today's values. for many, 26,20 7 degrees. a warmer day than today for eastern scotland and ireland and the sunshine. when you do have the sunshine we've got high or even very high grass pollen levels once again tomorrow. the heat is building underneath the clara skies and light winds under that area of high pressure but is getting eroded a little bit on thursday, particularly from that weather front in the cell. that will bring with it some showers, looks like those are moving a little for the good for the north more quickly. to the site channel and eventually into self wales baby into the english for the day. sunshine ahead of that but still some gravel was in scotland and northern ireland. temperatures not so quite here. otherwise, a very warm day but because of showers moving north with more quickly the highest temperatures again before her north through the midland and northern england. things continue to

break down a bit by the end of the week of a pressure following, heavy showers around, disbanded range approaching the west with cooler air coming in for the weekend. we do have heavy and potentially thundery showers from overnight moving northwards across western parts of the uk, ahead of that band of rain in the southwest later on. we've got more cloud around to end the week so temperatures are good to be a little bit lower but with more sunshine and dry weather for eastern england it's still going to be very warm.

today at six... the biggest rail strike in a generation — disruption everywhere, no services at all to parts of the uk. stuck in the sidings instead of moving millions of passengers — there's sympathy for railworkers, but frustration too. my daughter's doing her gcses. i've got to get her to and from school, so it's a right pain in the neck. i understand they want a pay rise and things change, i get that, but it's not fair for all the commuters. some 40,000 rail workers have walked out — their union accuses the government of getting in the way of a deal. the government could have made a move to settle this dispute, and instead they're escalating it. the lies that they're telling about railway workers and the railway industry are outrageous. we need to get ready to stay the course, to stay the course, because these reforms,

these improvements in the way we run our railways are in the interests of the travelling public.