this is bbc news with the latest headlines... a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning the mp chris pincher�*s behaviour — directly contradicting the acount from downing street. i don't know, and that is news to me, that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made, and then the outcome. a man is arrested by police in the us state of illinois after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accomodation as record numbers are placed into care. 50,000 people have been put on evacuation alert as floods hit sydney for the third time this year.

the world's first fully working sand battery is installed in finland, with developers calling it a major breakthrough for green energy. and england chase victory over india at edgbaston to win the fifth test. borisjohnson�*s decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny — as a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald writes to the parliamentary standards commissioner this morning, saying that borisjohnson was briefed in person about an investigation into chris pincher�*s conduct as a foreign office minister. downing street had previously claimed that the prime minister

wasn't aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher when he was appointed in february. but the bbc learned last night that boris johnson and the foreign secretary at the time, dominic raab, both knew about the issue. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. chris pincher was appointed a foreign office minister injuly 2019 by mrjohnson, and stayed in the post until february 2020. during his time as a foreign office minister, an official complaint was raised about mr pincher for inappropriate behaviour. this triggered a process, overseen by the cabinet office, which resulted in a report that confirmed misconduct. yesterday, number ten reiterated that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegations being looked at, and said that in the absence of a formal complaint it would not be appropriate to stop the appointment. however lord mcdonald says downing street is not telling the truth and that borisjohnson

was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation into mr pincher when mr pincher was a foreign office minister this this morning the former civil servant published his letter, alongside a tweet saying, "this morning i have written "to the parliamentary commissioner for standards — "because number ten keep changing their story "and are still not telling the truth." sir simon mcdonald was asked on the today programme this mornig how the information he provided about chris pincher got to boris johnson. i briefed the relevant senior official in the cabinet office, you will understand such complaints about ministers are very rare, very sensitive, they are dealt with at the very top level, and so i had the help and support of the cabinet office through the investigation. 0ffice through the investigation. are you convinced, are you sure that

the cabinet office in person told mr johnson about it? i the cabinet office in person told mr johnson about it?— johnson about it? i know that the senior official _ johnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed _ johnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the - johnson about it? i know that the senior official briefed the prime l senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. so there is no question in your mind that mrjohnson knew in person, had been told in person, about what happened at the foreign office? correct. i5 happened at the foreign office? correct. , ,., happened at the foreign office? correct. , . �* , correct. is so when the children's minister told _ correct. is so when the children's minister told us _ correct. is so when the children's minister told us yesterday, - correct. is so when the children's minister told us yesterday, "i - correct. is so when the children's. minister told us yesterday, "i have been given a categoric assurance the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegations or complaints relating to the former deputy chief web" that is not true? fix, relating to the former deputy chief web" that is not true? a categorical assurance was _ web" that is not true? a categorical assurance was wrong. _ web" that is not true? a categorical assurance was wrong. what - web" that is not true? a categorical assurance was wrong. what do - web" that is not true? a categorical assurance was wrong. what do you | assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? _ assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i _ assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do _ assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not _ assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think- assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that l assurance was wrong. what do you | make of that? i do not think that is the wa to make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. _ make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it _ make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it is _ make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. it is very - the way to behave. it is very unusualfor the way to behave. it is very unusual for a the way to behave. it is very unusualfor a retired official the way to behave. it is very unusual for a retired official to the way to behave. it is very unusualfor a retired official to do what i have done this morning. i did

it by myself because of what i had seen and read over the last few days, i knew it to be wrong. things get to a point where you have to do the right thing. the deputy prime minister domic raab was being interviewed on bbc breakfast as simon mcdonald published his letter. i don't know, and that is news to me that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made and then the outcome, precisely because it didn't lead to a formal disciplinary grievance process, let alone formal action. and i don't know how sir simon would know that, but if he does know that, he was briefed directly, that's news to me. and i think the distinction that is being drawn is awareness of a complaint that may have been... ..or an allegation that may have been made, and something that trips the wire, if you like, meets the threshold

for formal disciplinary action. and there was none taken here. and, indeed, that was the advice of sir simon in this case, and i remember it very clearly. ben wright is in westminster for us. good morning. the publication of this letter, pretty extraordinary in itself and what it tells us about the timeline and what has gone on is pretty extraordinary too? garbage is a pretty dynamite intervention by a seniorformer a pretty dynamite intervention by a senior former civil servant, a pretty dynamite intervention by a seniorformer civil servant, == it senior former civil servant, -- it is a pretty _ senior former civil servant, -- it is a pretty dynamite _ senior former civil servant, -- it | is a pretty dynamite intervention senior former civil servant, » t is a pretty dynamite intervention by a seniorformer civil is a pretty dynamite intervention by a senior former civil servant and now the head of the lords, lord mcdonald, who is pretty upset about the timeline given by number ten over the last few days about chris pincher�*s contact and what number ten says borisjohnson new about it all. in particular a briefing by downing street yesterday in which the prime minister's official spokesman said at the time chris

pincher was appointed deputy chief whip in february, borisjohnson was aware of some of the rumours and accusations around his behaviour, accusations around his behaviour, accusations the spokesman said that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint. lord mcdonald is saying this morning in his letter to katherine stone, what happened in 2019 constituted a formal complaint, it may not have lead to disciplinary action but a formal complaint was made about the behaviour of chris pincher and crucially the prime minister was briefed and told about this. in some ways which read some of the mind number ten had been putting out for the last two or three days. they have attempted to say the prime minister did not know of anything substantial, specific allegations and claims about what chris pincher was accused of in the past, lord mcdonald's intervention says the exact opposite. mcdonald's intervention says the exact opposite-— mcdonald's intervention says the

exact opposite. how damaging is visible and _ exact opposite. how damaging is visible and boris _ exact opposite. how damaging is visible and boris johnson? - exact opposite. how damaging is visible and boris johnson? it - exact opposite. how damaging is | visible and boris johnson? it puts ressure visible and boris johnson? it puts pressure on _ visible and boris johnson? it puts pressure on number _ visible and boris johnson? it puts pressure on number ten - visible and boris johnson? it puts pressure on number ten today i visible and boris johnson? it puts i pressure on number ten today and visible and boris johnson? it puts - pressure on number ten today and the prime minister and his spokesman to clarify exactly what happened in 2019, what the prime minister knew and to explain again why he felt appropriate to put chris pincher pretty much in charge of party discipline and the welfare of tory mps in february. i think there are all sorts of discrepancies that now need to be explained and it clearly puts pressure back on borisjohnson and the focus is not letting up. what happens in terms of tory mps watching all this angry about conducting number ten, watching all this angry about conducting numberten, it watching all this angry about conducting number ten, it is not clear, they don't have a at their disposal to try to move against borisjohnson and it is not at all clear that number ten will soften in what is effectively their support for chris pincher. he has had the

whip removed but i do not get the impression they are wanting him to remove his seat and cause a by—election, i think number ten, frankly, do not want that. can by-election, i think number ten, frankly, do not want that. can you mark our courage _ frankly, do not want that. can you mark our courage about _ frankly, do not want that. can you mark our courage about the - mark our courage about the developments for the rest of the day, this is yet another version of events we have heard, have we heard an official downing street response, further clarification, and when will we expect that? the further clarification, and when will we expect that?— we expect that? the latest i have heard from _ we expect that? the latest i have heard from number— we expect that? the latest i have heard from number ten - we expect that? the latest i have heard from number ten is - we expect that? the latest i have heard from number ten is look . we expect that? the latest i have| heard from number ten is look at what happened in february 2019, they say the bbc story we reported yesterday evening and this morning about the 2019 investigation at the foreign office was done and tested, dealt with, by the time chris pincher was made deputy chief whip there were no ongoing investigations that would have cause number ten not

to give him thejob. this issue number ten says, all chris pincher�*s appointment, was locked up by the cabinet office's proprietary and f-16, cabinet office's proprietary and f—16, numberten cabinet office's proprietary and f—16, number ten say they follow due process and there was nothing wrong with giving him thisjob —— was looked at by the cabinet office's proprietary team. there will be a briefing for westminster�*s political journalists at about 11:30am and that will give fresh lines, the latest take about what on earth is going on, there is a cabinet meeting this morning, we will not necessarily hear anything out of that, i think the first time we will hearfrom the prime minister that, i think the first time we will hear from the prime minister himself will be tomorrow when he appears in front of the liaison committee, a group of senior select committee chairs, and i am sure this will crop up chairs, and i am sure this will crop up then. chairs, and i am sure this will crop u- then. . ~ chairs, and i am sure this will crop u- then. ., ,, i. chairs, and i am sure this will crop u- then. . ~' �* ~ up then. thank you, ben wright in westminster. _

us police have arrested a 22—year—old man who they believe killed six people in a mass shooting at an independence day parade near chicago. 2a others were injured in yesterday's attack after a high—powered rifle was fired multiple times from a rooftop in the suburb of highland park. the suspect has been named as robert crimo iii. from the scene, our correspondent nomia iqbal sent this report. the streets where celebrations had been taking place quickly turned into a hunting ground as police searched for a killer. a man who brought terror to an independence day parade. americans in this wealthy chicago suburb had been out in the sunshine for the symbolic day of the 11th ofjuly. a few minutes into the parade, shots rang out, creating shock, confusion and panic. people moved quickly for safety. i thought that it was the navy that was saluting the flag with rifles, but when i saw people running, i picked up my son, and i started running.

at first, the police found the gun but not the gunman. it took until the evening for them to eventually arrest robert crimo iii. the person of interest has now been taken to the highland park police department where we are going to begin the next phase of the investigation and speak with this person to make sure or see if, in fact, he is connected to this incident. social media firms have suspended accounts apparently owned by him. all events were cancelled as police spent hours looking for the 22—year—old. and so another address to the nation on yet another mass shooting. president biden cautiously questioned the direction his country is heading in. there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy, nothing guaranteed about our way of life. we have to fight for it, defend it and earn it by voting.

there has been a mass shooting in america every week this year. recently, major legislation was passed to address gun violence, but this proves that there is no part of american life that is untouched by gun violence. it happens in schools and in supermarkets, and on independence day, one of the most important days in america's history. and we'll have the latest from highland park — the chicago suburb where the shootings took place — in around ten minutes' time. six years ago, actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government, calling for children in care not to be housed in bed and breakfast accommodation while they wait for a suitable foster placement or children's home. now in a new follow—up documentary, children's charities have warned that many young people in care in the uk still feel they're not getting the support they need. paul heaney reports. so these are all the photos i've got from the majority of my childhood.

hope's mum wasn't able to look after her, but she has really good memories growing up with her grandparents. i think, at that point, i really wanted to be in the police, when i was little. things changed when she was 13. exploited by older people, nan and grandad agreed foster care was best for her own safety. but that placement later broke down. hope ran away and slept rough before the council offered her a place in a hostel. she says it was under the same roof as someone who'd assaulted her. i had clothes stolen from me, i had bus passes stolen from me. the girls used to gang up. wrexham council said it always aimed to keep children safe, that its children's services had since been transformed and it would use hope's comments to improve things further.

we asked councils in wales, using the freedom of information act, what kind of places they were using to house young people. our investigation has found that, even now, children are still being placed in bed—and—breakfasts and other temporary accommodation here in wales. that's despite the welsh government saying it wanted to stop that six years ago. most are 16 or 17 years old, but some are even younger. one example was an 11—year—old placed in an airbnb with support workers because there was nowhere else for them to go. the actor michael sheen presented a petition to the welsh government, calling for unregulated accommodation for children to be banned. in a bbc documentary tonight, he hears from hope and others in care who say they were let down by the system designed to protect them. it'sjust heartbreaking, heartbreaking, and infuriating that we, as a society, are allowing this to happen to children.

one children's charity now wants more fundamental changes to the care system. young people say, why are we not enough? i why doesn't the care system love us? what does love look like for us? and these are the - questions we are asking government to think about, really. the body representing councils in wales told us that in the face of growing demand and more complicated cases, they are doing their best but they need more money. the welsh government says children should not be placed in b&bs. most children in care, it says, do have a positive experience and it is investing more in foster care and specialist accommodation while trying to help families sooner. hope is now trying to move on from a difficult time in care. rock climbing helps her mental health. there's no room for anything else to come into your mind when you're climbing. she's determined to improve the care system for those who come after her. i will fight to make sure that this

process doesn't happen in the same way it happened to me. paul heaney, bbc news. you can watch michael sheen: lifting the lid on the care system on bbc iplayer now or on bbc one wales at 9pm tonight. i'm joined now in the studio by katharine sacks—jones, chief executive of become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers. thank you for coming on the programme. what we have seen is difficult to watch at times, pretty shocking. i want to talk about the accommodation specifically young people in care find themselves in, what are some of the examples you know of that most egregious? garbage is a real range, young are being put in supported accommodation, sometimes hostels, b&bs, caravans, and after these settings are not appropriate at all. as you heard on

the clip, sometimes young people are placed with much older adults who may have problems of their own, they have come out of prison all have had problems with drugs or alcohol, at best they can be unsuitable and at worst sometimes completely unsafe for young people. it is worst sometimes completely unsafe for young maple-— for young people. it is not hard to imaaine for young people. it is not hard to imagine adults _ for young people. it is not hard to imagine adults struggling - for young people. it is not hard to imagine adults struggling without | imagine adults struggling without problems and the influence that could have a younger people. what hr we talking about? the could have a younger people. what hr we talking about?— we talking about? the use of unregulated _ we talking about? the use of unregulated placements - we talking about? the use of unregulated placements in l we talking about? the use of- unregulated placements in england has been banned from 15 years and under bid 16 and 17—year—olds are regularly placed in these settings, around 6000 young people in england, significant numbers of children placed in accommodation which is not being inspected or regulated and as i say, sometimes quite unsafe settings. this has to stop, we cannot play such vulnerable children and completely inappropriate settings, we need to care for them properly and give them the best

start in life. properly and give them the best start in life-— properly and give them the best start in life. how do we go about aaivin start in life. how do we go about giving that _ start in life. how do we go about giving that -- — start in life. how do we go about giving that -- doing _ start in life. how do we go about giving that -- doing that? - start in life. how do we go about| giving that -- doing that? clearly giving that —— doing that? clearly this is happening because of limited options, not a first choice, so why is it happening? it is options, not a first choice, so why is it happening?— is it happening? it is symptomatic of wider failures _ is it happening? it is symptomatic of wider failures in _ is it happening? it is symptomatic of wider failures in the _ is it happening? it is symptomatic of wider failures in the system, i is it happening? it is symptomatic| of wider failures in the system, we have record numbers of children in care, over100,000 have record numbers of children in care, over 100,000 children, have record numbers of children in care, over100,000 children, there are not enough of the right places and we need more investment to every child has a loving, safe and caring home that is right for them. like most of these _ home that is right for them. like most of these things _ home that is right for them. like most of these things it comes down to money in the end, what else is needed? a, , , to money in the end, what else is needed? , , ., , to money in the end, what else is needed? , ., ,, needed? money is part of its budget is also planning _ needed? money is part of its budget is also planning and _ needed? money is part of its budget is also planning and structure, - needed? money is part of its budget is also planning and structure, we i is also planning and structure, we need systemic reform which really focuses on making sure we provide children with stability, too many children with stability, too many children move from place to place or place halfway across the country away from everything they know, every child should have a local place that is right for them, that is investment but also planning and making sure we have the right kinds

of places, and the foster carers and children's home and making sure we support children when they leave care because at the age of 18 too many are left completely alone and we need to enter the catcliffe. back on the accommodation _ we need to enter the catcliffe. back on the accommodation issue, how optimistic or pessimistic are you? —— to end the care klf. optimistic or pessimistic are you? -- to end the care klf.— optimistic or pessimistic are you? -- to end the care klf. there is an opportunity — -- to end the care klf. there is an opportunity for _ -- to end the care klf. there is an opportunity for the _ -- to end the care klf. there is an opportunity for the government. -- to end the care klf. there is an opportunity for the government to | opportunity for the government to look at what needs to change, make the investment necessary, it needs to happen. these are children the state has said cannot live at home because it is not safe and we had to do our best, we need to invest and bring forward the reforms needed. reporter: katharine sacks—jones, thank you for talking to us. president putin has ordered his forces to push ahead with their offensive in eastern ukraine, after seizing control of the entire luhansk region, following the withdrawal russian troops are now stepping up their bombardment of cities in the donetsk region, including sloviansk —

where at least six people were killed over the weekend, according to the city's mayor. our security correspondent gordon corera looks at the current state of play. the fighting in recent months has been concentrated in the east of the country, the region known as the donbas. over the weekend, ukrainian forces withdrew from lysychansk in the luhansk region. that came after the fall of another strategic city, severodonetsk, a few weeks ago. that's given the russians effective control of the whole of luhansk. their sights are now thought to be set on taking the neighbouring donetsk region with the towns of slovyansk and kramatorsk likely their next targets. overall, it now means russia controls more than a fifth of ukraine and looks to be seeking more. russia might still want to take the coast, building on its seizure

of crimea in 2014 by taking odesa and cutting off ukraine from the black sea. but that may be a step too far since they were recently pushed off the symbolically important snake island. so, is russia now winning the war? despite early setbacks, russia certainly has had real tactical victories in recent weeks in the east, but it has been slow going with significant losses. and the real question is, will russia be able to maintain this progress? it certainly has the manpower and firepower to keep going, but ukraine is hoping it can slow the russians and then launch counter—offensives to push back. crucial to that is the arrival of weaponry from the west, like this and other long—range artillery systems which are now slowly making their way to the battlefield. they could help shift the balance. so, russia has made gains recently, but we may now be entering a new phase in the war

where the outcome is less clear and it may depend on each side's ability to sustain the fight for the long haul. i'm nowjoined by our ukraine correspondentjoe inwood. good to see you. i would like to talk about the issue of weapons, gordon corera saying they were vital to ukraine's success. any sign of them coming through in the amounts needed? i them coming through in the amounts needed? ~ ., , ., , , them coming through in the amounts needed? ~ ., , , ., needed? i think that is absolutely a fair assessment, _ needed? i think that is absolutely a fair assessment, especially - needed? i think that is absolutely a fair assessment, especially these i fair assessment, especially these particular weapons which are very high accuracy long—range or medium to long range missile systems which are getting here but only in small numbers. you see videos emerging on social media put out by the ukrainians of vehicles being driven, firing and driving off, they are having an impact but only in small numbers. the ukrainians say they

need around 100 of these two really turn the tide and at the moment they are getting a handful. as gordon said, the key battle is the donetsk region, particularly slovyansk and kramatorsk. slovyansk was where the uprising started in 2014, these russian inspired uprisings in the annexation of crimea. when that happened there was a different prime minister of the country, yesterday i did a fairly long interview with him and one of the pointy mate that i thought was really interesting was that has been a policy of appeasement with president putin going all the way back to 2008, he traced this crisis we are talking about now all the way back to that. let's listen to him. sometimes there were taps. _ let's listen to him. sometimes there were taps, putin was very vocal in 2008. _ were taps, putin was very vocal in 2008, saying he was very ready to

restore _ 2008, saying he was very ready to restore the — 2008, saying he was very ready to restore the soviet union. do 2008, saying he was very ready to restore the soviet union.— restore the soviet union. do you think this could _ restore the soviet union. do you think this could still— restore the soviet union. do you think this could still turn - restore the soviet union. do you think this could still turn into - restore the soviet union. do you think this could still turn into a l think this could still turn into a third world walk? i think this could still turn into a third world walk?— think this could still turn into a third world walk? i believe right now we are _ third world walk? i believe right now we are in _ third world walk? i believe right now we are in a _ third world walk? i believe right now we are in a hybrid _ third world walk? i believe right now we are in a hybrid war. - third world walk? i believe right now we are in a hybrid war. it i third world walk? i believe right now we are in a hybrid war. it is| now we are in a hybrid war. it is not conventional, it does not seem like the _ not conventional, it does not seem like the second world war, but i expect— like the second world war, but i expect that the new global order will emerge, otherwise autocrats and dictators _ will emerge, otherwise autocrats and dictators will take over this world. fascinating listening to him, especially by use of language, lots of people around international conferences talking about a new version of a cold war, obviously it is not so much a cold conflict not far from where you are. how significant do you think this reshaping of the global world order could be? i reshaping of the global world order could be? ~ ,., , .,, could be? i think the pointy was makin: could be? i think the pointy was making as _ could be? i think the pointy was making as we — could be? i think the pointy was making as we don't _ could be? i think the pointy was making as we don't know- could be? i think the pointy was making as we don't know which| making as we don't know which direction this will go in and in a way the actions of the collective west over the next coming months and

years will shape art. he was basically setting at two possible versions of the future, one in which ukraine gets integrated into the west and to some extent you get a reinvigoration of nature and the european union and what he sees as progressive powers or western powers maintaining their influence in the world. there was the other version he was setting out, the much more pessimistic one from his perspective, where russia wins and it really boosts autocratic regimes. i think for him we are at an inflection point and what happens both here and in europe and north america over the next months and years will decide the future path of the world, as he sees it.— years will decide the future path of the world, as he sees it. thank you, joe inwood — the world, as he sees it. thank you, joe inwood in _ the world, as he sees it. thank you, joe inwood in kyiv. _ let's return now to chicago, where police have arrested a 22—year—old man they believe killed six people in a gun attack during an independence day parade

at a fourth ofjuly parade we can speak to cbs correspondent bradley blackburn who is in highland park in illinois. thank you for coming to talk about us. what do we know about the person who was arrested? taste us. what do we know about the person who was arrested?— who was arrested? we know this erson who was arrested? we know this person has _ who was arrested? we know this person has been _ who was arrested? we know this person has been called - who was arrested? we know this person has been called a - who was arrested? we know this person has been called a person | who was arrested? we know this l person has been called a person of interest by authorities, his name is robert crimo iii, he is 21. police are not yet saying why they believe he decided to do this, allegedly decided to do this, but they say he used a high—powered rifle that took a position on top of one of these commercial buildings along the parade route and fired on people in the crowd, sending families scrambling for cover. they are combing through this person of interest�*s digital footprint, looking at previous post seated online, apparently styled himself as some sort of wrapper and sometimes posted violent videos on the internet but it is not clear at this point why he took this action ——

some sort of rapper. for point why he took this action -- some sort of rapper. for viewers in the uk who — some sort of rapper. for viewers in the uk who might _ some sort of rapper. for viewers in the uk who might not _ some sort of rapper. for viewers in the uk who might not know- some sort of rapper. for viewers in the uk who might not know wherel some sort of rapper. for viewers in i the uk who might not know where you are, tell us a bit about the area you are in the us.— you are in the us. this is a suburban _ you are in the us. this is a suburban community - you are in the us. this is a suburban communityjust i you are in the us. this is a - suburban communityjust north of chicago, an upscale community about 25 miles north of the city. about 25,000 people live here. it is striking to see the chaos left behind when the shooting started, families were lining the parade route and they left behind lawn chairs, strollers and kids' bicycles when they started scrambling for cover. this community is reeling, mourning these stats and struggling with the injuries as a result of the shooting that people are also pointing to moments of unity that came after this attack, how individuals welcome strangers into their homes to take shelter. this entire community was told to be on lockdown, shelter in place for nine hours while the alleged gunman was still on the run. this

hours while the alleged gunman was still on the run.— still on the run. this is not an isolated incident _ still on the run. this is not an isolated incident in _ still on the run. this is not an isolated incident in the - still on the run. this is not an isolated incident in the us, l still on the run. this is not anl isolated incident in the us, we still on the run. this is not an - isolated incident in the us, we are up isolated incident in the us, we are up to a mass shooting roughly every week and we have covered a lot of bbc news. is there any sense of anything changing in the political mood? , ~ , anything changing in the political mood? , ,, _ anything changing in the political mood? , ~' ,, .., , mood? one per week by some counts, more than 300. _ mood? one per week by some counts, more than 300, according _ mood? one per week by some counts, more than 300, according to _ mood? one per week by some counts, more than 300, according to one - more than 300, according to one tracking organisation, since the start of this year, shooting after shooting. i covered the story and buffalo outside the grocery store, the mass shooting that happened there, the also cheating aid uvalde texas at an elementary school, they were just in the last few months —— the awful shooting at uvalde, texas. authorities passed one of the most significant pieces of gun control legislation in years but as you say it is clear that this epidemic of violence continues.— it is clear that this epidemic of violence continues. bradley, thank ou ve violence continues. bradley, thank you very much _ violence continues. bradley, thank you very much for _ violence continues. bradley, thank you very much for talking - violence continues. bradley, thank you very much for talking us - violence continues. bradley, thank l you very much for talking us through that. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood.

hello again. for many of us over the next few days, pollen levels are going to be high or very high. it's also going to turn warmer. what we've got at the moment is cloud moving across northern ireland, through parts of england and wales, sinking south. sunshine behind but thicker cloud will bring some rain in across northern ireland and also into western scotland later. it's also going to be quite windy. temperatures today, 13—23 degrees. now, that rain turns heavier and more persistent as it moves southwards and eastwards tonight, taking its cloud with it, some clear skies in the far south and still windy in the north and it will start to feel muggier across the north and the west. these are our overnight lows, between 10—15 degrees. so tomorrow, we still have this rain crossing scotland. quite a bit of cloud around but some breaks developing in that cloud. windy in the north, gusty winds in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines and our temperatures 13—24 degrees.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning the mp chris pincher�*s behaviour — directly contradicting the account from downing street. i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister — with number 10 accused of changing their story and still not telling the truth. ministers continue to defend the prime ministers position i don't know when that is news to me, that the prime minister was briefed on the specific complaint that was made and then the outcome. a man is arrested by police

in the us state of illinois — after six people were shot dead at an independence day parade. a bbc investigation has found that children as young as 11 have been housed in temporary accomodation, as record numbers are placed into care. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjon. yes, many thanks indeed and welcome from wimbledon on quarterfinals day. another beautiful day in store. all eyes will be on british number one cameron norrie who plays in his first grand slam quarterfinal, the last remaining british player in the singles. he is up against david goffin, second on court number one today. yesterday we also saw nadal booked his place in an 8/4—final, along with nick keir rios who looked along with nick keir rios who looked a far more relaxed figure out on court yesterday after some of the histrionics and outbursts we have

seen from him at this year's tournament so far. jo wilson can bring us up—to—date with all of yesterday�* action. most personalities might have two sides. when it comes to nick kyrgios, there's an ever—rotating series of characteristics. he plays shots to take your breath away. umpire: game, kyrgios! minutes later, he seemed to be in agony — certainly distracted. and californian brandon nakashima took the first set. commentator: that's long. first set done. how could kyrgios serve with a dodgy shoulder? well, like that. he won sets two and three but nakashima retained his own standards, levelled the match, and now kyrgios began to simmer. his anger here was aimed at his own family and friends in the crowd, and he turned to the light. to his best tennis,

to the quarterfinals with a five sets victory. i needed a glass of wine, for sure, tonight. for sure. so... yeah, put your feet up and watch rafa nadal. he was cava sparkling in the evening. commentator: oh. game- _ three sets to beat 21st seed botik van de zandschulp, nadal�*s a popular quarterfinalist. as everybody knows, wimbledon is a tournament that i like so much and i've been three years without playing here. so i really wanted to be back and that's what i am doing. so that's why it means a lot for me to be in the quarterfinals now. but remember, of the eight names left in the men's singles, one of them is cameron norrie. and consider his opponent. ranked outside the world's top 50, david goffin would appear to be beatable. norrie seems comfortable with his own game, with the occasion. just three more sets for a semi—final. joe wilson, bbc news, wimbledon. so we can perhaps expect to see cameron norrie on court number one at around 2.30 today. he has looked so impressive so far, so calm and

composed and you can anticipate plenty of support for him later. let's hope it doesn't get interrupted by a fire alarm. no problems for simon yesterday, her incredible run this year continues. she is safely through to the quarterfinals. —— simona halp. wrapped up injust under an hour, a straight sets win for her. novak djokovic getting is under way on centre court first up againstjannik sinner. england's cricketers are at it again. they could produce another victory in the fifth and final test against india. they need just 119 more runs to win. they were set a mammoth target of 378 to win but england love to chase and they are doing that brilliantly at the moment. jo root and jonny bairstow will be at the crease this morning having guided england to within that target.

it would be their highest successful run chase — and continue this remarkable change of fortunes this summer under ben stokes. ifjonny and rooty can get going again, and get another partnership going, i think we should get over the line. you think you're clear favourites now? yeah, i think so. and i think, like you say, from the position we're in to get into this position is something that we believed as a group. and i think, you know, coming tomorrow morning, i think we'll all be very upbeat. and we know at this time of year there are many sports days happening up there are many sports days happening up and down the country. we know how competitive it can often get and perhaps no surprises how competitive this son got when you consider it was a former premier league footballer who was putting himself, his body on the line for the greater good here. didn't want to let his kids down. that is gary cahill in the sack race at a school sports day, showing all of his competitive instincts. and to look at him go!

absolutely powering away. the final flourish was the salmon —like leap towards the finish line. i suppose as a premier league champion and a champions league winner, we shouldn't be surprised. but i guess we know how competitive school sports days can be, lewis. perhaps thatis sports days can be, lewis. perhaps that is something you can relate to. i don't know if you have done a sack race in yourtime? race in your time? absolutely not, i stay well away from that, far too much like hard work! thank you for that. a premier league and international footballer has been arrested in north london on suspicion of rape. our correspondent louisa pilbeam has been outside scotland yard this morning. the 29—year—old man is a premier league and international footballer who was arrested in barnet in north london yesterday on suspicion of rape. police have not named the man for legal reasons and they have not said what club or what country he plays for. officers have been

questioning the man over an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s. the rape allegedly happened last month. the man was taken into custody and police say inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. one person has died and three others were taken to hospital after a major gas explosion and fire at a block of flats in bedford. an investigation is underway and authorities say some people are still unaccounted for, so more bodies could be discovered in the coming days as emergency services work through the wreckage. about 50,000 australians have been urged to evacuate their homes after parts of sydney received about eight months of rain in four days. roads have been cut off, some houses are underwater and thousands have been left without power. the downpour is expected to begin easing in sydney today, but gale—force winds are also forecast, bringing a risk of falling trees and powerlines. here's the bbc�*s shaimaa

khalil with an update. the rain has not been letting up and the waterjust keeps rising. i'm in a neighbourhood in south windsor, a town north—west of sydney, and this is the third major flooding event they've had in the last 18 months. if ijust move out here, just to show you. this is actually one of the main roads, connecting this side of the neighbourhood to the other and the only way to get through now was by boat. earlier, one of the locals on this side was rowing his boat, getting food and supplies for people who were stuck on the other side. he said, "this is the only way to get through now." the house just over here, some of the residents were rescued by rescue services earlier today. they were stuck, they couldn't move. others have evacuated and theyjust told me, "we've been without power through the night and we were just going to pack and leave". others have said that they're going to stay at home, pray that they don't get stuck,

pray that the water doesn't come even higher. but almost everyone here has told me how exhausting it's been. i've been speaking to chloe, one local here, who's been telling me how those last three days have been for her. it's crazy being told that you have to leave your home and just grab what you can. you know, a lot of stuff was left behind. we don't really know what we're really going to go back to. so we're just hoping that our house is safe and all our belongings and whatnot are going to be there when get back and try and get back to being normal. and time and time again, people tell you, look, dealing with one catastrophic flood is hard enough. the shock, the trauma, the fact that you have to leave your house. dealing with three or even four, for some, in less than two years has just been devastating. the rain is still going, the wind is still going. we now have more than 100 evacuation orders that is affecting at least

45,000 people in sydney and the surrounding areas. people have been told that unless you are told to evacuate, unless there has been an evacuation order, people should stay home and those who are evacuating should consider multiple routes because, as you can see behind me, sometimes you want to leave your house, like those people over there in that property, and theyjust can't. so people are also being told to make sure that they can leave safely and that they have somewhere to go and now more evacuation centres have opened in this area and around it as well. thanks to shaimaa khalil for that. a photo of the duchess of cornwall, taken by the duchess of cambridge, will appear on the cover of the next country life magazine. camilla was asked to guest edit the latest edition of the publication to mark her 75th birthday. she commissioned kate, who is a keen amateur photographer to take a selection of photos

in the gardens of her wiltshire home. some cinemas have banned young people wearing suits from screenings of minions: the rise of gru over rowdy behaviour fuelled by a tiktok trend. videos showing young people dressing up in suits to watch the movie in large groups and cheering loudly during the screening have gone viral on tiktok, racking up millions of views in some cases. movie studio universal pictures has endorsed the trend, saying on twitter: "to everyone showing up to @minions in suits: "we see you and we love you". but cinemas have been less appreciative, with several complaining about the behaviour of the young fans drawn to the movie by tiktok. over the weekend, the city of belgorod, not far from the border with ukraine, was hit by what russia says was a missile strike. it was the first time the city had been damaged since the start of the war. but, as our russia editor steve rosenberg found out, few of the people there are linking the two events.

the kremlin promised its special operation in ukraine would make russia safer. but in belgorod, there is little sign of safer. explosions this was the city early on sunday. russia accused ukraine of a missile attack. ukrainian officials deny it. but at least four civilians were killed in an explosion. and many buildings were damaged. this is not destruction on the scale of ukraine, where thousands of civilians have been killed since russia invaded, but there is anger here. translation: me but there is anger here. translation: ~ , ., ., ., translation: we should have fired a missile riaht translation: we should have fired a missile right back— translation: we should have fired a missile right back at _ translation: we should have fired a missile right back at kyiv. _ translation: we should have fired a missile right back at kyiv. that - missile right back at kyiv. that would have made them think. translation: i asked this lady of this had happened before. "what? in the city centre? of course not. we

need to take harsher measures." i've been wondering, why is it that so many people here don'tjoin the dots? they don't make the connection between russia invaded ukraine and their lives here becoming less safe. i think it's partly because the russian state media does all it can to prevent those dots from being joined in people's mines but also many russians simply don't want to believe that their country started this, that russia is the aggressor. but now, a call for peace from the orthodox church. metropolitan church of belgorod has issued a statement saying it is time to turn swords into ploughshares and it's time for an end of bloodshed in ukraine that has now come to russian homes, too. prayers are one thing, the political a will to make peace,

thatis that is another. complaints from customers have hit their highest level on record and it's costing businesses more than £9 billion every month in lost staff time — according to new research from the institute of customer service. jo causon, is the institute's ceo. good morning. there are a lot of record complaints, _ good morning. there are a lot of record complaints, what - good morning. there are a lot of record complaints, what are - good morning. there are a lot of record complaints, what are the| good morning. there are a lot of- record complaints, what are the kind of things people are complaining about? we of things people are complaining about? ~ ., , of things people are complaining about? ~ . , . ~ about? we have been undertaking the surve now about? we have been undertaking the survey now since _ about? we have been undertaking the survey now since 2008 _ about? we have been undertaking the survey now since 2008 and _ about? we have been undertaking the survey now since 2008 and as - about? we have been undertaking the survey now since 2008 and as you - survey now since 2008 and as you correctly say, the numbers of complaints, issues and problems are at its highest level. actually, interestingly, complaint handling is better but the numbers have got far too high. the sorts of issues that organisations or employees and customers are experiencing r around quality, so the quality of the

product with the service experience, the suitability, so whether that service is suitable, and availability. so some really quite significant issues there. fight; significant issues there. any thou . hts significant issues there. any thoughts on _ significant issues there. any thoughts on why _ significant issues there. any thoughts on why we are hitting records now? 50 thoughts on why we are hitting records now?— thoughts on why we are hitting records now? ~ , ., records now? so i think it will be a combination _ records now? so i think it will be a combination of _ records now? so i think it will be a combination of things. _ records now? so i think it will be a combination of things. we - records now? so i think it will be a combination of things. we are - combination of things. we are obviously coming out of covid but still impacted by covid and clearly the cost of living crisis is impacting on that. but as organisations try to be a bit more front foot, really looking at our resource planning and trying to kind of build better connections with our customers, being more transparent, all of those things are going to really matter as we try to build better relationships with our customers and manage through this particularly challenging time. find particularly challenging time. and when we are _ particularly challenging time. and when we are talking about complaints, is this a whole range of things, frustrated because you are on hold for a little bit or is it absolutely fundamental breakdown of services? it absolutely fundamental breakdown of services? , ., ., .,

services? it will be a range of issues. services? it will be a range of issues- itut — services? it will be a range of issues. but again, _ services? it will be a range of issues. but again, if- services? it will be a range of issues. but again, if we - services? it will be a range ofj issues. but again, if we come services? it will be a range of- issues. but again, if we come back to the kind of key issues, and it does seem to be around the quality. quality really matters and about value. even though we are undergoing a financial challenge, price isn't everything, it is about the quality of that experience in those organisations that are doing this well have really reached out to their customer base, really understand what their issues and challenges are and look to be able to help them with that. whether it is around debt scheduling, management, looking at budgeting, but also really offering opportunities for them to consider what is most important to them. so outreach connection are really important from an organisational viewpoint to the customer. for those organisations — viewpoint to the customer. for those organisations or _ viewpoint to the customer. for those organisations or businesses - viewpoint to the customer. for those organisations or businesses or- organisations or businesses or whatever they are, there is a financial incentive for themselves, which is their staff and organisation is losing a huge amount of time and money in dealing with all this? ., , , ~ .,

of time and money in dealing with allthis? ., , , ~ ., ., all this? completely, so we know on averaue, all this? completely, so we know on average, organisations _ all this? completely, so we know on average, organisations are - all this? completely, so we know on average, organisations are spending about 3.5 days a month trying to resolve customer service issues. that is a whopping great big £9 billion. so that is a terrible waste of energy, when actually we want to try and make sure that we are getting it right first time. so it is good that we have got better at dealing with issues but that is just about service recovery. what we really one is organisations to think about the end to end customer experience and trying to stop those issues from happening in the first place. jo issues from happening in the first lace. . ., ., ., ., issues from happening in the first nlace. . ., ., ., ., ., issues from happening in the first lace. i ., ., ., ., ., i., place. jo causon, great to have you one, place. jo causon, great to have you one. thank— place. jo causon, great to have you one. thank you- — the world's first fully working "sand battery", has been installed in finland. it's a device which can store sustainably produced heat for months at a time and could be used to keep homes warm in winter. it works by charging a—hundred tonnes of sand with heat generated by solar or wind—powered electricity. our environment correspondent matt mcgrath has more details.

ooh! i'm here in the municipal swimming pool in kankaanpaa in western finland. it's a beautiful pool, very balmy all year round. but the heat that's in here comes from a rather surprising source — from sand. the sand in question sits inside this silo, in a power plant on the edge of this small finnish town. it's the first commercial installation of a potentially important technology that works in a surprisingly simple way. we are heating the sand battery with clean electricity, and then storing the heat there, and taking up to use it later on. transfer that time that it's more useful. electricity from wind or solar power is converted into heat, which warms the sand up to around 500 degrees celsius. crucially, the sand can keep this

heat — without loss — potentially for months. here in kankaanpaa, the heat in the sand battery is then used to help power the district heating system... ..keeping homes, offices and indeed swimming pools warm all year round. heat is the biggest end use for energy all over the world. it's also critically important for survival in a country like finland, where the winter is long, cold and dark. and the recent move by russia to cut off supplies of gas and electricity in response to finland joining nato has caused concern. so ideas like the sand storage battery, which began life at this former pulp mill in the city of tampere, have been backed enthusiastically by local government. the power demand is so high. it can be really expensive to provide that power in the middle of the winter. if we have some stations that are just there for a few weeks,

few hours in the wintertime when it's the coldest, it's going to be extremely expensive. if we have this sort of solutions that provide flexibility for the storage of heat, that would help a lot in there. as the world has shifted to green energy, there's been a huge focus in recent years on developing ways of storing that power for the days when the sun doesn't show and the wind doesn't blow. much attention has been paid to lithium batteries. but according to those who have invested in the new finnish system, sand has many advantages. what made you think that this might actually work? i mean, it's a bit of a left—field idea. it's a bit strange, but it's cheap. it's easy to get. and you can get to really high temperatures, maybe 500 degrees, while with water, you can only get to 100. so you get a lot of heat stored in a small...small space. the finns now plan to massively expand their sand system,

making it 1,000 times bigger. the researchers hope the world can quickly benefit. they say the sands of time have run out for fossil fuels, and it's now time for sand. yeah, it's cheap and easy to build. and we really like to licence this technology and give it for a good use as widely as possible. this idea still faces big challenges. can it store electricity as well as heat? if that can be done economically, sand could well be a simple solution to a global problem. matt mcgrath, bbc news, finland. the women's euro 2022 championship starts tomorrow when hosts england take on austria in front of a sell—out crowd at old trafford, more than 70,000 fans will be there. fara williams won 172 caps

for the england women's team — making her the most capped england player across the women's and men's games. she's part of the bbc sport team providing analysis throughout the tournament. shejoins me now. good morning. good morning. you -la ed a good morning. good morning. you played a lot _ good morning. good morning. you played a lot of— good morning. good morning. you played a lot of football, _ good morning. good morning. you played a lot of football, a - good morning. good morning. you played a lot of football, a lot - good morning. good morning. you played a lot of football, a lot of. played a lot of football, a lot of games. sometimes in front of crowds not so big at the beginning of your career, getting much bigger as every season went by. is the hope with this tournament now we could see some real serious numbers and some real serious cut through? yes. some real serious numbers and some real serious cut through?— real serious cut through? yes, i think that _ real serious cut through? yes, i think that is _ real serious cut through? yes, i think that is what _ real serious cut through? yes, i think that is what we _ real serious cut through? yes, i think that is what we are - real serious cut through? yes, i j think that is what we are hoping for. i think the backing of the media in the last few years and the bbc in particular, who have been on board certainly with the national team, certainly for my duration of being international, the fact the backing is there and the profile of the women's game has risen over the last few years, i think it is in a great position. as you mentioned, old trafford tomorrow for the opening game, the lioness is taking on austria is a sell—out, so really

exciting that the opening game is sold out. �* , ., ., sold out. let's get onto the football- — sold out. let's get onto the football. england, - sold out. let's get onto the football. england, how- sold out. let's get onto the | football. england, how good sold out. let's get onto the - football. england, how good are they, what are their chances here? they are one of the favourites. they are in fantastic form and have a fantastic manager and i feel they have a real good balance throughout the squad and some experienced players and some really good young, exciting players that i certainly think brings the balance to the team thatis think brings the balance to the team that is needed in this tournament. we are unbeaten now going into the tournament and the team is full of confidence. i think in previous games, you can see in the performance is how confident they are. , , ,., performance is how confident they are. , , ., , ., , are. give us some of the big names, the one england _ are. give us some of the big names, the one england player— are. give us some of the big names, the one england player we _ are. give us some of the big names, the one england player we should i the one england player we should look out for and then one from anywhere else that we should be looking out for? i anywhere else that we should be looking out for?— looking out for? i think i have to do mention _ looking out for? i think i have to do mention lauren _ looking out for? i think i have to do mention lauren hemp, - looking out for? i think i have to do mention lauren hemp, a - looking out for? i think i have to l do mention lauren hemp, a young looking out for? i think i have to - do mention lauren hemp, a young wide player who plays on the left—hand side for england. i think she is really exciting and someone who will get our fans off their seats when she gets on the ball. she is one to look out for. i would go for another

player within england's group who plays for norway, hedda berg, she is making a return to the national team after being absent for five years. she is a goal—scorer and someone you can also look out for. she is a goal-scorer and someone you can also look out for.— can also look out for. great stuff, a aood can also look out for. great stuff, a good comeback. _ can also look out for. great stuff, a good comeback. the _ can also look out for. great stuff, a good comeback. the game - can also look out for. great stuff, - a good comeback. the game tomorrow evening, austria, should it be an easy england win here? it evening, austria, should it be an easy england win here? it should be a comfortable _ easy england win here? it should be a comfortable victory _ easy england win here? it should be a comfortable victory for _ easy england win here? it should be a comfortable victory for england i a comfortable victory for england but also their first game of the tournament is difficult. austria will try and make it difficult for us going into the game but i think our level of skill that we have within our team will certainly stand out and after 60 minutes, i think you will see that and it will be a comfortable england victory. find comfortable england victory. and finall , i comfortable england victory. and finally. i want — comfortable england victory. and finally, i want to _ comfortable england victory. and finally, i want to finish where we started, really. an england victory in this tournament would be the result that you would be hoping for. more widely, for the standing and status of women's football, where do you want to be at the end of this tournament, what would represent success for you? i’d

tournament, what would represent success for you?— success for you? i'd like to think that we can _ success for you? i'd like to think that we can certainly _ success for you? i'd like to think that we can certainly gather- success for you? i'd like to think. that we can certainly gather some momentum, in terms of the fans. we have some sell—out stadiums. the england games are all sold out. hopefully those supporters can continue with their club team after the tournament. i think we certainly need our wsl team is getting the following national team gets. hopefully they can get a great showcase throughout the year and these fans will stick with the women's game and watch their club teams. brute women's game and watch their club teams. ~ , , ., ., teams. we will be seeing and hearing lots more from _ teams. we will be seeing and hearing lots more from you _ teams. we will be seeing and hearing lots more from you throughout - teams. we will be seeing and hearing lots more from you throughout the i lots more from you throughout the next few weeks. thank you very much for coming on and talking to us. thank you. thank you. that is it now, thank you. thank you. that is it now. time _ thank you. thank you. that is it now, time for— thank you. thank you. that is it now, time for a _ thank you. thank you. that is it now, time for a look _ thank you. thank you. that is it now, time for a look at - thank you. thank you. that is it now, time for a look at the - thank you. thank you. that is it - now, time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. for many of us over the next few days, pollen levels are going to be high or very high. it's also going to turn warmer. what we've got at the moment is cloud moving across northern ireland, through parts of england and wales, sinking south. sunshine behind but thicker cloud

will bring some rain in across northern ireland and also into western scotland later. it's also going to be quite windy. temperatures today, 13—23 degrees. now, that rain turns heavier and more persistent as it moves southwards and eastwards tonight, taking its cloud with it, some clear skies in the far south and still windy in the north and it will start to feel muggier across the north and the west. these are our overnight lows, between 10—15 degrees. so tomorrow, we still have this rain crossing scotland. quite a bit of cloud around but some breaks developing in that cloud. windy in the north, gusty winds in eastern scotland and to the east of the pennines and our temperatures 13—24 degrees.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a former top civil servant says borisjohnson was briefed in person about a formal complaint concerning the mp chris pincher�*s behaviour — directly contradicting the account from downing street. i know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person, because that official told me so at the time. today's revelations will put fresh pressure on the prime minister — with number ten accused of changing their story and still not telling the truth. ministers are defending the prime ministers position the distinction that is being drawn as awareness of the complaint or an

allegation that may have