this is bbc news. i'mjane i'm jane hill. the headlines... another rail strike across the uk — around one in five services are running, with passengers urged to travel only if necessary. and in the last hour, the union aslef has announced a one—day strike on saturday 13 august. after last night's stunning 4—0 victory against sweden, england will find out who they'll be facing in sunday's final later this evening. a key russian—held bridge into the occupied southern city of kherson is hit with rocket fire by ukrainian forces. following a change in law, tv cameras can now film the sentencing remarks in the crown court for the first time from thursday.

and final preparations as the commonwealth games get under way in birmingham tomorrow. it is the official opening ceremony. hello. good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. rail passengers are facing huge disruption after thousands of workers walked out in a continuing dispute about pay and working conditions. only about a fifth of britain's train services are running — many areas having no services at all today. the red lines here show the routes where some trains are operating, but network rail has warned people to travel only if

absolutely necessary. and in the last few minutes, aslef, the train drivers�* union, has announced a one—day strike at nine train companies on saturday. the 13th of august. the union says firms failed to make a suitable pay offer. on the disruption, our correspondent emma simpson has this report. going nowhere. once again, half of the uk's rail network brought to a halt. at manchester piccadilly, some trains were leaving with travellers trying to navigate the disruption. stressful. yeah. just a big change of plans. we've been up since 3:00 in the morning and flying from malaga. london euston is normally the sixth busiest station in the uk, but only a skeleton service today. literally no problems. there's about four trains an hour, which is pretty good.

good on them. i support them. i think it's appalling, actually, what people are expected to live off. it wasn't just train disruption. at glasgow central station, protesters briefly descended to show their support for the walk—out. a rail dispute that's getting messy. more picket lines, with the two sides seemingly as far apart as ever. the rmt now accused of blocking an 8% pay deal over two years. well, we haven't got an offerfrom network rail, all the train operating companies, that suits the needs of the dispute. the train operating companies have made no offer on pay and they've given us no guarantee of no compulsory redundancies. so the gap between the two parties is too big and the responsibility for that lies with grant shapps and this government, who dictate the terms that the companies can offer, and he's refusing to budge. the transport secretary says only the union and the employers can reach a settlement, but the industry has to modernise to survive and he wants changes to restrict further strikes coming down the tracks.

what you've got is one union, the rmt, on strike today, a different union, the aslef, on strike in three days�* time. and because they're colluding between themselves to set these strike dates, they're causing maximum damage to the passenger, to the traveller. now, i don't think that they should be able to go around doing that. we don't allow flying pickets, but we're allowing this form of collusion in order to make sure there's permanent chaos on the railways. but many will have avoided it by working from home. this is already a miserable summer for travel. without a major breakthrough, more rail strikes will follow next month. emma simpson, bbc news. joining me now from euston station is our correspondent, jon donnison. and goodness, we have never seen a rush hour like it, jon. and goodness, we have never seen a

rush hour like it, jon._ rush hour like it, jon. rush-hour on wednesday — rush hour like it, jon. rush-hour on wednesday would _ rush hour like it, jon. rush-hour on wednesday would be _ rush hour like it, jon. rush-hour on wednesday would be normally - rush hour like it, jon. rush-hour on - wednesday would be normally absently pack here. you can see is directly deserted. normally you have around 300 trains heading out of houston. today, we have had 55 and we're down to the last two on the board. you can see there, the last train heads at about half past five p:m.. most people stayed away, it has been quiet. we had a few tourists here through the day and finding to their surprise no trains were coming, but people were aware there were strike actions today and decided to work from home, changed their plans. find from home, changed their plans. and we here in the — from home, changed their plans. and we here in the last 15 minutes, news of another date. again, it is not necessarily every rail company, but it is a saturday, hitting the leisure travellers.- it is a saturday, hitting the leisure travellers. yeah, this is a different union. _ leisure travellers. yeah, this is a different union. this _ leisure travellers. yeah, this is a different union. this is _ leisure travellers. yeah, this is a different union. this is aslef, - leisure travellers. yeah, this is a l different union. this is aslef, who represent train drivers. they are actually striking this saturday. theyjust actually striking this saturday. they just announced actually striking this saturday. theyjust announced in the last hour, they are doing a second strike

on saturday, the 13th of august, and that will affect nine train companies, but what i would say is evenif companies, but what i would say is even if the train your planes to travel on is not with one of those nine companies, the knock on effects could end up meaning that your journey could be disrupted. rmt, they've got to further strikes planned for august, and then there's another union that is planning to strike. as you heard in and the's report they are, the two sides seemingly as far apart as ever. it seems at the moment, little sign of those rmt strikes being called off. all right, jon, thank you for now. john thomason at euston. —— jon donnison. we can speak now to gareth dennis. he's a railway engineer and writer. he's also a member of the tssa union, though is not on strike today. hello there. thanks for being with us. i do not know how preview are to of these negotiations, if at all,

but is your sense that the two sides are still very, very far apart? yeah, there is a pretty massive gap between what is being offered at the moment, particularly forthe between what is being offered at the moment, particularly for the rmt, who represent signal there's, track maintenance workers, blue—collar workers across network rail, and some of the train operating companies. there is a big gap still. it is understanding what that gap really represents stop it is a reminder that, particularly relating to staff numbers, compulsory redundancies, that is telling someone they don't have a job, it still not off the table, so i can understand why in terms of negotiating, until that is off the table, it is very difficult to move forward stop with that particular issue, they won't give a guarantee there won't be any compulsory redundancies, and your understanding thatis redundancies, and your understanding that is a major, major sticking point, and that therefore, if that is the case, that becomes a who blinks first situation.— is the case, that becomes a who blinks first situation. yeah, grant sha -s blinks first situation. yeah, grant shapps and _

blinks first situation. yeah, grant shapps and the — blinks first situation. yeah, grant shapps and the government - blinks first situation. yeah, grant shapps and the government are l shapps and the government are referring a lot to this word modernisation. it is a very clever were they have chosen, because it paints the union as if they are standing in the way of progress, but thatis standing in the way of progress, but that is really not the case. we have heard a lot about new technology being rolled out to do things like inspecting track, and these are things that existed for decades. the last series of strikes occurred during an event where you have huge amount of technology showing inspection methods and ways that we look after the railway and railway and protector in the modern era. there are lots of people with rmt taverns there. modernisation is being used as a bit of a ms him for just reducing had cap. which is not on. —— bit of euphemism. just reducing had cap. which is not on. -- bit of euphemism.- on. -- bit of euphemism. grant sha -s on. -- bit of euphemism. grant shapps says — on. -- bit of euphemism. grant shapps says some _ on. -- bit of euphemism. grant shapps says some unions - on. -- bit of euphemism. grant shapps says some unions will. on. -- bit of euphemism. grant. shapps says some unions will not allow the same teams to clean different railway stations even

though those railway stations are geographically close. is he not right on that or are there areas where the unions could give some ground? where the unions could give some round? ., .., , , , ground? there are couple things play there. ground? there are couple things play there- firstly. — ground? there are couple things play there. firstly, network— ground? there are couple things play there. firstly, network rail— ground? there are couple things play there. firstly, network rail is- there. firstly, network rail is really a part of government. it is important to understand the makeup here. government controls the power. government literally owns network rail, network rail is a government body, and the train companies, certainly before covid and after, run the contracts they so government sets the boundaries in the first place, but don't get me wrong, the railway is a complicated and fragmented industry. there are some rules that set about to mentally when it comes to things like cleaning, there is potentially space, but in other sets of circumstances, i have heard grant shapps and the dft referring to updated working practices where one person cannot do differentjobs. you cannot have a singular maintaining

equipment. the workforce is a skilled one in the railways and we have our specific things that we can do because those are experiences, the things we have learned, but i think the overriding challenge is that those interesting little things that those interesting little things that perhaps are worth having a longer discussion on, you cannot get to that discussion until you've taken off the table that you were going to tell someone they don't have a job any more... we going to tell someone they don't have a job any more. . ._ going to tell someone they don't have a job any more... have a 'ob any more... 100 is the ublic have a job any more... 100 is the public me — have a job any more... 100 is the public me to _ have a job any more... 100 is the public me to do _ have a job any more... 100 is the public me to do with _ have a job any more... 100 is the public me to do with that? - have a job any more... 100 is the public me to do with that? the i public me to do with that? the public, what, has to put up with not moving on the country? we public, what, has to put up with not moving on the country?— moving on the country? we have heard stories about — moving on the country? we have heard stories about people _ moving on the country? we have heard stories about people frustrate - moving on the country? we have heard stories about people frustrate with - stories about people frustrate with the strikes, but government has caught lots of services anyway, so the government itself is resulting in a lot of the disruption we are seeing and the fact that that lot of the train companies are not operating a full timetable yet despite having full trains up. we are back to 95 plus percent... i5 up

are back to 95 plus percent... is up in leisure travel, _ are back to 95 plus percent... is up in leisure travel, but _ are back to 95 plus percent... is up in leisure travel, but it _ are back to 95 plus percent... is up in leisure travel, but it is _ are back to 95 plus percent... is up in leisure travel, but it is down in commuter travel, so times have shifted, the income has shifted because the train operating companies are getting those big fat season—ticket payments, and that inevitably leads to a change —— are not getting. that is no one's fault, covid hasjust not getting. that is no one's fault, covid has just dramatically changed everything. covid hasjust dramatically changed eve hina. ., .,, covid hasjust dramatically changed eve hina. ., ., ., ., everything. covid has not done that, that is a trend _ everything. covid has not done that, that is a trend that _ everything. covid has not done that, that is a trend that has _ everything. covid has not done that, that is a trend that has been - everything. covid has not done that, that is a trend that has been well- that is a trend that has been well it is for ten, 15, 20 years, covid just excelled there by years. the changes we are seeing are changes that have been betting in for a long time, wore flushable working, people working in more flexible ways, which means they are not commuting. that change has been long in the works and government has not grasp the nettle and covid has a sort of forced its hand on that one, but actually a lot of the commuting services into london are on a reduced service, so it is difficult

tojudge where reduced service, so it is difficult to judge where that change is because of this reduction in time table that is occurring. some companies running a 50% timetable in places, so it makes it difficult to get a handle on it. long—term, we have people moving around by car, climate change means we have to increase rail capacity and that means more people, not fewer people, on the rail. , , , ., ,, on the rail. garris dennis, thank ou for on the rail. garris dennis, thank you for your— on the rail. garris dennis, thank you for your time, _ on the rail. garris dennis, thank you for your time, gareth, - on the rail. garris dennis, thank you for your time, gareth, who | on the rail. garris dennis, thank. you for your time, gareth, who is a railway engineer, and we will keep you up—to—date with that —— gareth dennis. lawyers representing the british—american environmentalist morad tahbaz say he has been freed from prison in iran on bail. he was jailed for ten years for spying in 2018. his family had expected him to be allowed to return to the uk as part of the deal that saw nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe freed earlier this year.

england are through to the final of the women's european championship at wembley on sunday after thrashing sweden in last night's semifinal. the lionesses beat the tournament's top—ranked side 4—0 to set up a clash with either germany or france, who play tonight. our correspondent natalie pirks was at the match at bramall lane in sheffield. the relief was palpable, thejoy was intense, and the dancing... ..fit for a wembley final. sweden are ranked second in the world and from the off were intent on showing us why. commentator: earps forced into a very early save. - england yet again started with the same 11 sarina wiegman had put her faith in throughout. within four minutes, top scorer beth mead almost repaid that trust.

it's a good one. off the bar! heart in mouth moments. england's goalkeeper busier than in all previous matches. england needed to take a breath and with calm heads, came the breakthrough. mead! she's done it again! england lead in the semifinal! half—time brought a welcome respite and a chance to remind each other to leave no regrets on the bramall lane pitch. lucy bronze got the memo. lucy bronze strikes gold for england! england once again had to be alert. it wasn't a clean shot, but the save needed to be perfection. mary earps, take a bow. from one goalkeeper�*s pleasure to an absolute howler. russo, an absolute menace in sweden's box, but this backheel was audacious. england's march to the wembley arch was becoming a canter and fran kirby's mastery in midfield reaped the reward she so deserved.

delirium inside bramall lane! and when the final whistle blew and that semifinal hoodoo had been banished, the emotions could finally flow for players and for fans. i think when the full time whistle came, we didn't really know what to do. as you can tell, an unbelievable atmosphere. we're excited for finals. oh, it was brilliant. brilliant. absolutely brilliant, yeah. i'm buzzing for the final. ithought, "oh, my, - this is going to be hard." and then, bam! 4—0, it's a great game, though. great game, crazy! 4—0, who would have thought it? semi final, on to the final now. i think sarina wiegman's done a fantasticjob. yeah. she's brought the youth back in, she's got the experience there. these fans, these players, in sarina they trust. it's been less than a year she's been in thejob, but the impact she's made is clear. 13 years it had been since england

had been in the final of a major tournament. who would bet against them now? natalie pirks, bbc news, sheffield. last night's match was watched by a peak television audience of 9.3 million on bbc one, with a further two million in streams online. it goes to show the swell of support around the nation for this team and how their performance at this home euros has really captured the imaginations of many. the jubilant scenes that women's football craved. across the country, from trafalgar square to pubs in bristol, millions of fans roared in support of the lionesses as they swept sweden aside. for the home fans packed at the stands in sheffield, their unbridled joy was epitomised by eight—year—old tess from manchester, who celebrated like her idols on the pitch. going through my mind was, because, when i'm older i want to be a footballer, so i was looking at how

they were celebrating and thinking of how i was going to celebrate. with only 63% of schools currently offering girls football in pe lessons, a former england legend gave an impassioned plea that this tournament can be a catalyst for change. we need to make sure something happens off the back of these girls and what they're doing because it's notjust legacy. it's actually making something happen off of the back of this. ten years to the day since london 2012 began, the issue of legacy was already being hotly debated. for girls like tess, it's notjust about seeing it to believe it, but having access to play the sport they've fallen in love with. yes, and let's talk about exactly that point. eileen marchantjoins me, one of the founders of the association for physical education —

which works with schools and organisations that deliver physical education. eileen, very good evening to use. good evening to you. for you say anything, can i say on behalf of the association, congratulations to those amazing women? you association, congratulations to those amazing women? you are making me well u -i those amazing women? you are making me well up! itut — those amazing women? you are making me well up! itut in _ those amazing women? you are making me well up! but in a _ those amazing women? you are making me well up! but in a good _ those amazing women? you are making me well up! but in a good way, - those amazing women? you are making me well up! but in a good way, in a - me well up! but in a good way, in a good way, and a 9.3 million watching it live, these figures are starting to tell their own story of our they not? that in itself is really something. someone with your background, how do we as a society harness this now and make sure this enthusiasm lasts and the girls who are inspired by this have opportunities?— are inspired by this have opportunities? are inspired by this have o- ortunities? . ., ., are inspired by this have ouortunities? . ., ., ., opportunities? yeah, we all have to -la a opportunities? yeah, we all have to play a part- — opportunities? yeah, we all have to play a part- what — opportunities? yeah, we all have to play a part. what ian _ opportunities? yeah, we all have to play a part. what ian did _ opportunities? yeah, we all have to play a part. what ian did about - play a part. what ian did about playing football in schools, i thought, i am sure quite a lot of they playing. i know women's football in school is one of the

fastest growing sports. i think there is still a great desire from girls to play football, and schools now are actually building their curriculum around their pupils as opposed to imposing a curriculum on their pupils, so there is going to be a great demand that schools go backin be a great demand that schools go back in september, for girls to play football as a game. it is when he can play almost anywhere, isn't it? hockey is more difficult because you date all weather pitch now. it is interesting _ date all weather pitch now. it is interesting you _ date all weather pitch now. it is interesting you say _ date all weather pitch now. it is interesting you say that, because we want all the girls who want to have a play to have a go, don't we? through your organisation, do you feel there are enough facilities, pitches, pe teachers? i am feel there are enough facilities, pitches, pe teachers? iam not trying to sound negative, i want the girls to be able to play it. is there the infrastructure there, do

you suppose?— there the infrastructure there, do you suppose? within schools, there are the facilities _ you suppose? within schools, there are the facilities to _ you suppose? within schools, there are the facilities to play _ you suppose? within schools, there are the facilities to play football, i are the facilities to play football, more than to play hockey, it is as i said a moment ago, hockey needs all weather pitches. i do believe the clamour from weather pitches. i do believe the clamourfrom girls weather pitches. i do believe the clamour from girls will actually direct schools to include in gross people in their curriculum, those that don't. a lot of schools already do. —— girls football in. do that don't. a lot of schools already do. -- girls football in.— do. -- girls football in. do things chance do. -- girls football in. do things change once _ do. -- girls football in. do things change once we _ do. -- girls football in. do things change once we get _ do. -- girls football in. do things change once we get beyond - do. -- girls football in. do things. change once we get beyond school age? what facilities do you see at that point? i age? what facilities do you see at that oint? ., age? what facilities do you see at that oint? ~' ., ., ., ., that point? i think one of the ma'or issues, that point? i think one of the ma'or and — that point? i think one of the ma'or issues, and this is d that point? i think one of the ma'or issues, and this is my i that point? i think one of the ma'or issues, and this is my own i that point? i think one of the major| issues, and this is my own personal opinion and looking at it objectively, is we have got to also have exit routes for girls. we can inspire them through physical education to play lots of different

sports, including girls football, but we have got to be fairly clear that if they want to continue outside school, the facilities and the clubs are there outside school, that schools can feed into. that is really important, that we start at grassroots. the inspiration starts in school, they want to play interschool full —— whipple matches, but it is import their exit routes when they leave school today continue, and that path leads to any her to top level. those women last night were not subtly into football, they have come through the system, many of them, i'm quite sure, and this is something we can ask them, may have started in school, got into the community, played into the community, played into the community, obviously their talent was spotted and he moved through and eventually came part of the premier league. eventually came part of the premier leaaue. �* ., ., league. and that sort of middle round league. and that sort of middle ground you're — league. and that sort of middle ground you're talking _ league. and that sort of middle ground you're talking about, - league. and that sort of middle | ground you're talking about, the next step, the committee access the

who's job is that? next step, the committee access the who'sjob is that? is it the fa? is it government? is it the top—flight clubs, the big rich ones with money? where is that coming from? it is everybody's _ where is that coming from? it 3 everybody's responsibility. i am from yorkshire you will probably realise that for my accent, and i know that yorkshire sport play an enormous role in creating opportunities for all young people, and if you look at what they offer, it is there, but maybe because it is such a male sport for so long, there are a lot more opportunities at the moment for boys than —— and young men. we only have to look at the sunday league football, to see how much there is for men's sunday league football, we need that for girls, coaches, volunteers, everybody plays a part. many of the boys football clubs and the sunday league football clubs are run by parents, mainly fathers, but we need

fathers and mothers to help to run football club for girls.— football club for girls. really interesting, _ football club for girls. really interesting, really _ football club for girls. really i interesting, really interesting. football club for girls. really - interesting, really interesting. 0h, interesting, really interesting. oh, my gosh, i could talk to you for so much longer. very quickly, for i let you go, we are all thinking about sunday. tricky feeling, but what is your feeling sunday. tricky feeling, but what is yourfeeling based on the sunday. tricky feeling, but what is your feeling based on the outcome of the result in milton keynes tonight? if those women play the way they did last night, bit of a dodgy start, but if they play the way they did last night... but if they play the way they did last night- - -_ but if they play the way they did last night... hope so! bless you, thank you- _ last night... hope so! bless you, thank you- so — last night... hope so! bless you, thank you. so lovely _ last night... hope so! bless you, thank you. so lovely to _ last night... hope so! bless you, thank you. so lovely to talk - last night... hope so! bless you, thank you. so lovely to talk to i last night... hope so! bless you, i thank you. so lovely to talk to you, eileen marchant, founding member of the association for physical education. now to the situation in ukraine.

ukrainian rocket strikes have forced russia to close a key bridge connecting the occupied city of kherson to the east bank of the dnipro river, in southern ukraine. the antonovsky bridge was hit overnight for the third time in a week. the bridge is a crucial supply route for russian forces occupying the city. western military sources say that a ukrainian counter—offensive in the kherson region is "now gathering place." let's discuss this with jonathan marcus, defence analyst at the strategic studies institute at the university of exeter. evening to you. explain the importance, the significance, then, of this bridge and what is going on in that region, jonathan. {lilia of this bridge and what is going on in that region, jonathan.— in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was— in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was the _ in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was the first _ in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was the first city - in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was the first city to - in that region, jonathan. 0k, well kherson was the first city to be i kherson was the first city to be seized by the russian forces, so its recapture would have huge significance for the ukrainian government, but also this is a very important area strategically. it is at the mouth of the river, an important port, an important area of economic activity, so it is quite a

strategic prize. but we have been seeing over recent weeks is the ukrainian forces nibbling away at a small packet of russian occupied territory, but what they seem to be doing now is mounting a much more significant offensive and, crucially, they are trying to cut those bridges to basically isolate a few thousand russian forces on the western side of the river and one presumes they will then bombard them and hope that they will either withdraw or be forced to surrender. and what is the weaponry used here? what is it? how do they get it? the crucial shift — what is it? how do they get it? tue: crucial shift for the ukrainians is the ability to strike very accurately, and we know at least one of these bridges, probably both of them for all we know, have been hit by this rocket americans have supplied to the ukrainians. the

question in my mind, though, is whether the ukrainian forces are sufficiently strong to actually mount a counteroffensive of their own. remember, many of ukraine's best forces have been badly mauled in the earlier stages of the fighting. many of their newer forces are less well—trained, less experienced, so basically it's been interesting to see whether ukraine can generate that counteroffensive lunch to seize this territory. yes. lunch to seize this territory. yes, and is there _ lunch to seize this territory. yes, and is there any _ lunch to seize this territory. yes, and is there any impact - lunch to seize this territory. yes, and is there any impact we - lunch to seize this territory. yes, and is there any impact we should be looking out for the terms of the deal that was struck to try to get some grain movement going?! deal that was struck to try to get some grain movement going? i think one has to suspend _ some grain movement going? i think one has to suspend judgment - some grain movement going? i think one has to suspend judgment on - some grain movement going? i t1 “ia; one has to suspend judgment on that deal. so far, we had the deal we then also have had a number of russian rocket attacks on the port of odesa, which is of course crucial to the operation of that grain flow. i'm not so sure we are going to see this operating terribly effectively.

it is early days yet, let's not rush to judgment, it is early days yet, let's not rush tojudgment, but we have it is early days yet, let's not rush to judgment, but we have seen this kind of thing in the russian game plan before. we've seen it in syria, we've seen it elsewhere, where the russians appear to do things to leave pressure, to give an inkling of hope that some accommodation can be reached and then they pull the rug from underneath it —— to relieve pressure. so i think early days yet. let's see where that grain flow actually starts operating and how sustained it actually becomes. jonathan, thank you for now, jonathan, thank you for now, jonathan marcus from the university of exeter. we're just going to to some news that relates to the rail strakes. we'rejust some news that relates to the rail strakes. we're just hearing that shadow transport minister, this is labour's sam tarry, has been removed from the front bench after appearing at one of the picket lines. as part of this strike. let's find out more from ben wright. explain what

is happening here and the sick in several of this, then. i. is happening here and the sick in several of this, then.— several of this, then. i, jane. these strikes _ several of this, then. i, jane. these strikes have _ several of this, then. i, jane. these strikes have been - several of this, then. i, jane. | these strikes have been tricky several of this, then. i, jane. - these strikes have been tricky for labour for a couple of months these strikes have been tricky for labourfor a couple of months —— significance. the rmt union is not affiliated with the liberal party but a lot of those in labour are —— labour party. labour have not back to the strike, and yesterday secure starmer urged his front bench do not appear on the picket lines. he did the same thing back injune. in number did actually go into purity strikers were and were not sacked, but they made, they come to a differentjudgment with sam tarry, somebody who is very close to the former labour leaderjeremy corbyn, and he turned up at a picket line at euston station this morning. he also talked to the media very willingly and freely about his own views on the strike and he said that he was

there as shadow transport minister, backing transport workers who had decided to go on strike, and the labour party's leadership has decided that is the media appearance thatis decided that is the media appearance that is the real problem here and that is the real problem here and that it that is the real problem here and thatitis that is the real problem here and that it is a breach of collective response of the letty by going on to the media, onto the airwaves, and talking about the strakes in a way they don't agree with —— collective responsibility. which is why they removed him from his front bench position. it removed him from his front bench osition. , , , .., . position. it is terribly comic different — position. it is terribly comic different labour. _ position. it is terribly comic different labour. they - position. it is terribly comic different labour. they say i position. it is terribly comic - different labour. they say they are standing for people who are fighting for better pay and better terms and conditions, and yet here we have a shadow minister removed from the front bench —— terribly complicated. yet, it is very difficult. labour say they want fair pay for front line workers, they fiercely defend people's right to strike, and as i said, there are many in the labour party in parliament who are sympathetic towards this strike and it is a difficult line that the

labour leadership has been walking since this strike started. as i said, sam tarry not aligned to the current leadership, i would say that. he was definitely closer to jeremy corbyn. he felt he had the freedom to speak his mind this morning, but that is not the view of the leadership office, which is why he has been removed from his post. ben, thank you very much forjoining us quickly on that one, ben wright, our political correspondent on that one. more to come stop we are going to talk more broadly about that. that is coming up in the next half—hour. we will take a look at the weather prospects. here is louise lear. good evening. quiet but fairly cloudy is the story to close out our day. the cloud acting like a blanket through the night, preventing those temperatures falling very far, and we'll see a line of scattered showers moving their way out of north wales, up into the north of england, gradually pushing towards the scottish borders and maybe

into northern ireland by dawn. they will be fairly isolated, and as you can see, temperatures holding up into double figures. so it's going to be a grey start to thursday morning, those showers gradually drifting their way north and starting to become quite light and patchy in nature. elsewhere, we keep a fair amount of cloud, glimpses of sunshine through the day. with a light wind now coming from the southeasterly direction, it'll feel just that little warmer, so temperatures may be peaking at 23 or 2a celsius as a high. as we move towards friday, warmer still with that light southerly wind starting to move warmer air once again from the near continent. temperatures into the mid to high 20s. largely fine and sunny with it. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... another rail strike across the uk — only about one in five services

are running, with passengers again urged to travel only if necessary. in the last hour aslef, the trade union, has announced another one—day strike on saturday 13th august. meanwhile, labour has sacked shadow transport minister sam tarry after he appeared on a picket line during the rail strike. after last night's stunning 4—0 victory against sweden, england will find out who they'll be facing in sunday's final, later this evening. a key russian—held bridge into the occupied southern city of kherson is hit with rocket fire by ukrainian forces following a change in law, tv cameras can film the sentencing remarks in the crown court for the first time from thursday. and final preparations as the commonwealth games get under way in birmingham tomorrow.

sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. it from the bbc sport centre. is a very, very busy tirr good it is a very, very busy time. good evening and it is indeed a busy time. hi sean, well sprinter dina asher—smith has announced that she won't be able to compete in birmingham forthe commonwealth games. the former 200m world champion says she's pulling out because of a hamstring tear. asher—smith, who won a bronze medal at the world championships last week in the united states, pulled up in the ax100m relay. she said on social media that the injury was only a light strain, but due to the short turn around, she would have to withdraw." england's adam peaty will be in birmingham, though. the double olympic champion,

and eight—time world champion, broke his foot in may — meaning he missed the world championships — but he says he's made himself available by all means necessary... i can't the knesset. i don't care if i can't the knesset. i don't care if i got a broken foot. else swim with one. no way. it's 15 minutes from where i grew up and they live in east midlands and i will probably dine in east midlands, as i say, but it is still run the gulf in bellingham and it'll be great to see others love it is still around the corner from others love it is still around the cornerfrom birmingham and it will be great to see all those crowds and if there any games that i would consider home games it would be on the doorstep for where i've lived my whole life and ijust want go the doorstep for where i've lived my whole life and i just want go smash it. what a night it was for english football. england thrashed sweden 4—0 to reach

the final of the women's euros. well, baroness sue campbell is the women's football chief for the fa, and she believes that result will have a huge impact on women's sport in the future.. i think it would be a landmark moment, as far as i'm concerned, for women sports, for women's football, but probably most importantly, for the players. you know, it would grow a confidence in our system, in our structure. i think if we were to be successful on sunday i think it would be a landmark moment to the development of the women's game and evenif development of the women's game and even if we don't, i have to say, i think we've made massive strides through the tournament and the players should take the greatest credit for what they've done on the way they conduct themselves. lets ho -e it way they conduct themselves. lets hope it continues _ way they conduct themselves. lets hope it continues on _ way they conduct themselves. lets hope it continues on sunday. it will be either so it'll be either germany or france alongside england, in sunday's final at wembley. the germans are the most successful team in the history of the competition having won it

on eight previous occasions. but they'll be without winger klara buhl for the game at milton keynes — she's out after testing positive for covid—19. as for france, they've already made history by reaching the semifinal, and they've now got their eyes on winning a major tournament for the first time... translation: we are calm. the team is doinu translation: we are calm. the team is doing well- — translation: we are calm. the team is doing well- we _ translation: we are calm. the team is doing well. we didn't _ translation: we are calm. the team is doing well. we didn't change - translation: we are calm. the team is doing well. we didn't change our- is doing well. we didn't change our habits. we did the same things we did during the first part of the competition. with the days between two games, there is no room for impatience. we must not play the game before its time. it's up to us to be prepared for this game. it's coming into place bit by bit. and there's just one other football line to bring you, in the men's game, manchester united have signed defender lisandro martinez from ajax, in a deal worth £57 million. united boss erik ten haag signed the argentina international during his time at ajax,

and they'll be re—united this season. he's signed a five—year—deal at old trafford. and switzerland's marlen reusser has won stage four of the inaugural tour de france femmes. with four sections of gravel during the 78—mile stage, it was far from easy. yesterday's winner cecilie ludwig actually suffered a puncture but she still managed to finish 19th and moved up to ninth overall. marlen reusser broke away with 1a miles to go and went on to claim the stage victory. marianne vos finished fifth, which was enough to retain her overall lead. that's all the sport for now. thanks very much. the broadcaster nicky campbell has alleged that he was sexually and physically abused at a private boys' school in edinburgh in the 1970s. speaking on a bbc podcast, the 5 live presenter described being beaten up and touched inappropriately by teachers at edinburgh academy. the school has apologised to anyone who was abused there. our scotland correspondent alexandra

mackenzie has this report. nicky campbell has been a radio and tv presenter since the 1980s, often discussing sensitive issues experienced by others. now nicky tells his own story. i know i'm amongst friends. i may have a wobble, but... for the first time he's publicly said he was a victim of abuse at a private school in edinburgh in the 1970s. at school i was very horribly, badly beaten up by a teacher who is a leading light in the scripture union. at the age of ten, nicky said he witnessed his friend being abused by a teacher in a changing room. he was known to us as a predator and a sadist, but we never told anyone, and my school friends... excuse me, i'll be all right! ..my school friends and i talk about it now to each other about him

with contempt and disbelief and incomprehension, that that sort of thing happened in plain sight and nothing was done. so why didn't we as little boys tell anyone in power what was happening? i don't know. in a statement, edinburgh academy said... "it deeply regrets what has happened in the past and apologises wholeheartedly to those concerned. we have worked closely with the relevant authorities, including police scotland with their inquiries and would like to provide reassurance that things have dramatically changed since the 1970s. the academy has robust measures in place to safeguard children at the school with child protection training now core to the ethos of the academy". on nicky campbell's radio 5 live programme, many people called in inspired to tell their story, their experience of painful, historical abuse for the very first time. and his testimony echoes that of fellow pupils who have given evidence to the long—running

scottish child abuse inquiry. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. just to tell you, if you've been affected by this, details of organisations which offer information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline — or you can phone forfree on 0800 077 077. more now on our top story, the rail strikes taking place it has been another very difficult day for anyone wanting to move around the country. there has been claim and counter—claim from the unions and the government today. it's been difficult at times to know which claims are true, and which aren't. we can speak now to alanjones, industrial correspondent for the press association news agency.

we have had another day through from aslef for another strike on a saturday. what is your assessment of are the two sides still very far apart? are the two sides still very far a art? ~ , are the two sides still very far aart? ~y ,, are the two sides still very far aart? ,, , , , apart? my assessment is, is this caettin apart? my assessment is, is this getting worse? _ apart? my assessment is, is this getting worse? hardly _ apart? my assessment is, is this getting worse? hardly a - apart? my assessment is, is this getting worse? hardly a day - apart? my assessment is, is this| getting worse? hardly a day goes apart? my assessment is, is this - getting worse? hardly a day goes by now without a strike being announced a ballot being announced. there are a ballot being announced. there are a couple in a few weeks and if you master that in this dispute is as deadlocked as it gets, really, and although there have been meetings going on for weeks and months now the two sides are still incredibly far apart. you know, things don't seem to move very much and, to be honest, it's quite difficult to see how that can be broken now the somebody makes a very big move and there's no way into that. i mean, certainly not today with the strikes going on. certainly not today with the strikes auoin on. ~ , ., certainly not today with the strikes aoianon.~ certainly not today with the strikes aoainon.~ ., , certainly not today with the strikes aoain on. ~ ., , , going on. when you say a very big move, going on. when you say a very big move. what _ going on. when you say a very big move, what would _ going on. when you say a very big move, what would that _ going on. when you say a very big move, what would that have - going on. when you say a very big move, what would that have to i going on. when you say a very big i move, what would that have to be? well, according to the unions, that would have to be a pay officer dominic sidney from the trail

operators. network rail have made pale offer. they want some kind of agreement on modernisation, efficiency savings thereafter before they make a pay offer so according to the unions if the train operator made a pay offer that would break it. according to the companies, if the anti—agree to some of these efficiencies they want they would then make a pay offer —— if the rmt agree. the unions are desperate that grant shapps or somebody from the transport department should be involved in these talks to try and help break the logjam because, as i say, at the moment it is just as deadlocked to dispute as i've ever covered. ~ . , deadlocked to dispute as i've ever covered. ~ ., , , deadlocked to dispute as i've ever covered. ~ . , , . ., covered. while, as she ever covered. so what's your _ covered. while, as she ever covered. so what's your assessment _ covered. while, as she ever covered. so what's your assessment as - covered. while, as she ever covered. so what's your assessment as to - covered. while, as she ever covered. so what's your assessment as to whyj so what's your assessment as to why grant shapps isn't doing that at the moment? ~ ., , ., moment? well, the unions right from the start of this _ moment? well, the unions right from the start of this dispute, _ moment? well, the unions right from the start of this dispute, going - the start of this dispute, going back to wait the beginning of the year and suddenly february, april,

just cannot understand why the transport secretary keep saying it is nothing to do with him. you know, the transport department now hold most if not all of the purse strings of these companies involved in this dispute. according to the union officials, they quite often, when their meeting, the meetings of adjourned and somebody from the employer side goes away to ring the transport departmentjust employer side goes away to ring the transport department just to employer side goes away to ring the transport departmentjust to check on what they are offering is ok so, you know, does a bit crazy that there isn't that third—party inside there isn't that third—party inside the talks. mr sharp says it's nothing to do with him. working practices should be between and the employers but i do think it is that the stage now where, as i say, something big has got to happen and if it involves mr schatz trying to get involved then i think it probably should.— probably should. has this intransigence _ probably should. has this intransigence got - probably should. has this| intransigence got anything probably should. has this - intransigence got anything to do with the timing in the middle of the conservative leadership race, the

fact that the notion of discussions that have been had, the kites flown about curbing the right to strike is that mixed up in this at all? it is definitely mixed _ that mixed up in this at all? it 3 definitely mixed up, mother mixed up, front and centre today. grant shapps gave an interview to a newspaper today about the measures he wants to bring in and i must say thatis he wants to bring in and i must say that is absolutely inflamed and enraged notjust the rmt but almost every union leader and is absolutely making things worse. many thing is he talking that i don't think would ever happen and last week they brought in a law that allows companies to bring in agency workers, for example, to coverfor strikers and as far as far as i know not a single agency worker has been hired today replace anybody on strike and it is very difficult to see how that would help. you know, they say, none of these things are really helping. the unions are just saying every time mr sharp says he is going to do something, change the

law, the unions reckon, the unions say the laws in this country i've already as anti—union as you can get —— mr shapps. so to make it even harder to go on strike i don't think it could help. why make a quick finals thought, this is everything you're saying and this is a grim old time headless people who are nothing to do with this and just need to move around the country? —— a grim old time ahead. it is not just the rail industry witnessing dispute, post office workers, bt workers, royal mail workers probably going on strike soon, later in the year we could be seeing some very big disputes involving teachers, nurses, civil servants, big disputes involving teachers, nurses, civilservants, public nurses, civil servants, public sector workers nurses, civilservants, public sector workers who have had a pay rise way below the rate of inflation so this isn'tjust about rise way below the rate of inflation so this isn't just about the railways, this is actually very big, you know? we could be in for that awful phrase, a summer of discontent, which we are in the middle of now. we could be looking at an awesome winter of discontent as well. . , , ., .,

as well. really interesting to hear our as well. really interesting to hear your perspective- _ as well. really interesting to hear your perspective. that _ as well. really interesting to hear your perspective. that is - as well. really interesting to hear your perspective. that is alan - as well. really interesting to hear i your perspective. that is alan jones your perspective. that is alanjones are industrial cover is abundant for the press association. the time has just gone quarter to six. visit my�*s headlines. that is our main story, another rail strike across the story, another rail strike uk. about one in five services are running and passengers are urged to travel only if absolutely necessary and, as we were saying there, the trade union aslef has announced another one—day strike on saturday the 13th of august. after last night's stunning 4—0 victory against sweden, england will find out who they'll be facing in sunday's final, later this evening. a key russian—held bridge into the occupied southern city of kherson is hit with rocket fire by ukrainian forces

legal history will be made at the old bailey tomorrow with the first televised sentencing in england. the footage will be made available to broadcasters including the bbc. the move to allow cameras in the crown court follows a change in the law in 2020, but implementation was delayed in the pandemic. our home and legal correspondent dominic casciani is here with more details..... so this is all new? what does this mean? what is the significance of this? ., , ,, ., mean? what is the significance of this? .,, ,, ., , , this? people like me who spend their time in court — this? people like me who spend their time in court all _ this? people like me who spend their time in court all day _ this? people like me who spend their time in court all day evidently - this? people like me who spend their time in court all day evidently out - time in court all day evidently out of a job! seriously, this is a really important news and broadcasters like bbc, sky, press association have lobbied for years on its axis on the basis that if you want the public to understand how criminal courts work and also how censorship works which is quite a complex thing, not simply a case of then ten a figure to present —— how sentencing works. you should let the cameras into allow these to be

recorded in vodka to get the 30 —— it is not simply a case of ten years on and off you go to prison. in the old bailey under the crown court centres around the country we will now be able to record judges dealing with at the end point of a trial and why that is important is because we are not in an oj simpson type of situation here where we're going to turn cults into nightly entertainment. nobody in the legal establishment is once that nobody in government is prepared to legislate for that happen —— courts. but the judiciary have come under the last two years into allowing the comments on what they seek to defenders to be broadcast so when they sent to present the public have a great opportunity to understand actually how some, complex that of unity can be —— sensibly to prison. a murderer can be sent to jail and get a sentence of 20 years and then the next day somebody else gets 30 years for a murder and why the difference? you can only tell a difference by

listening to what the judge says. that is fascinating but also presumably very strict parameters. the camber willjust be on the judge, we don't want anybody to feel unsafe, all sorts of issues and that? �* , unsafe, all sorts of issues and that? ~ y , unsafe, all sorts of issues and that? absolutely. this isn't going to be showbiz, _ that? absolutely. this isn't going to be showbiz, fight? _ that? absolutely. this isn't going to be showbiz, fight? this - that? absolutely. this isn't going to be showbiz, fight? this is - that? absolutely. this isn't going l to be showbiz, fight? this is going to be showbiz, fight? this is going to be showbiz, fight? this is going to be locked off, looking at a judge delivering his sentencing remarks. we're not going to see the victims, we're not going to see witnesses, juries, we won't even see the lawyers. you can see lawyers in other cases at the moment in the court of appeal where it is dealing with legal points because of those cases are televised. this is simply about effectively this opportunity for the judge when the judges assessing the defendant saying this is how long i am sending you to prison and for how and why i am sending you to prison for so long —— addressing the defendant. listen to what they are saying and basically the view that in the future. all of the view that in the future. all of the sentencing remarks will go from youtube and even as is usual in the

media meet at little clips of those people will be able to go and actually watch the sentencing hearing is in full. this is the last ten or 15 minutes of not longer in some cases. but that we will see tomorrow. thank you very much. to six o'clock and let's talk a little bit more about the whimsy of those —— it is nearly six o'clock. as you know, they are in the final at wembley and we will know in a few hours from now who they are going to face. the semifinal will be in milton keynes with kick—off at eight o'clock i think we can talk to our sports reporter ben croucher because he is there. very much a pitch side and he was your money, ben? —— who is your money on ben? it will be a close—run thing. if last nights game is fairly one—sided i don't think there's too much to choose between germany and france.

germany eight times winners who have been ruthless and relentless so far in competition, conceded new games and that the only team in the then not have conceded a goal so far in alex pat. they got somebody his god and every single game but they are missing one of their influential wingers, who has been brought out through covid. france and the other hand had probably not hit top yet. they are full of flair and relating players but driven with ice and the group stages and needed extra time to beat the dutch in the last stage and they have plenty to improve upon and they have plenty to improve upon and they've got champions league winners throughout their squads but does that translate european success? they've never been this far in a major tournament and they never beaten germany in a major tenant either so it really is too close to call, really. either so it really is too close to call, really-— either so it really is too close to call, really. that makes it a good match for the _ call, really. that makes it a good match for the viewing _ call, really. that makes it a good match for the viewing public - call, really. that makes it a good match for the viewing public and | call, really. that makes it a good l match for the viewing public and of course i think i am also right in saying this is another sold—out match but you've got fear because this is happening on the day of avail strike was my to, yes, some of

the spectators, 28,000 or so they were expecting him in milton keynes, having to make their way here by car. there is no parking on the ground either, which is one further complication. some of the home to go into the middle of town and then get bosses out here but we are expecting a very lively and then get bosses out here but we are expecting a very lively atmosphere already. the music is blaring around us and i think as well what we're going to see is similar to last night and obviously not quite as partisan as last night was my game at sheffield was but it is inspiring as many people and if we get anything like the entertainment we did last night think there will be a few more girls and boys picking up the game tomorrow. fantastic. igot and boys picking up the game tomorrow. fantastic. i got one home and put the telly on! ben croucher there and kick—off is at eight o'clock and coverage will start before that but that is the actual kick of time and we will know in a few hours he will be in the final on sunday. to another story here

tonight... several instagram content creators, including kim kardashian and kyliejenner, have criticised the platform's new design after it shifted its focus from photos to its short video format reels. some users say it's the app trying to mirror tiktok. joining me now is chris stokel walker, who is a technologyjournalist. what should we make of this? to the people complaining, does kim kardashian have a point on this one, chris? i kardashian have a point on this one, chfis? ~, kardashian have a point on this one, chris? ~ , ., , kardashian have a point on this one, chfis? ~, . ,, chris? i think she does but i will sa that chris? i think she does but i will say that she _ chris? i think she does but i will say that she does _ chris? i think she does but i will say that she does pretty - chris? i think she does but i will say that she does pretty well. chris? i think she does but i will. say that she does pretty well from instagram and the amount of advertising that she manages to sell off it so it is probably a business interest here as well as a sort of personal trying to fight for the people purpose behind it as well so, yes, instagram obviously has changed an awful lot in the last year particularly. it has moved away from the square photos, that will we're used to commit to incorporate more video into his home feed and that includes what is called reels which is an attempt to kind of mimic tiktok�*s success and instagram's

founder and chief executive and leader said yesterday that she recognised some of the criticism but he thought that actually video was still the way forward for instagram. i mean, instagram presumably can very easily through algorithms monitor what everyone is doing on the site. is this come about because they basically crunch the numbers and said blimey, look how many people are now using videos rather than still photos? is that fundamentally why they're doing it? i think so. that is probably a secret between instagram and its staff but it would seem to be the case. adam did say yesterday that the data does bear this out. people tend to spend more time watching videos, like the deal is more, share videos, like the deal is more, share videos more, and so even though the public perception may well be that actually we preferred instagram the way was things do change and they can't deny the speed and growth of tiktok which has a billion users, almost as many as many as instagram, in an absolute fraction of the time. and users means money, bluntly, from

a business perspective? we and users means money, bluntly, from a business perspective?— a business perspective? we have to bear in mind — a business perspective? we have to bear in mind is— a business perspective? we have to bear in mind is a _ a business perspective? we have to bear in mind is a multi-billion - bear in mind is a multi—billion dollar companies and they sell adverts off the back of this and although kim kardashian or kylie jenner a pretty big and where the seventh and second most popular instagram creators in the world i think ultimately instagram parent company meta known better as facebook is in this for the bottom line so really they are making business decisions and we are going to be dragged along with it kicking and screaming whether we like it or not. , , ., not. this, we will see how it there is in. not. this, we will see how it there is in- thank— not. this, we will see how it there is in. thank you _ not. this, we will see how it there is in. thank you much _ not. this, we will see how it there is in. thank you much now. - not. this, we will see how it there is in. thank you much now. chris. is in. thank you much now. chris stokoe walker bear who is a technologyjournalist. thanks so much for talking about instagram. just a quick update in terms of the rail strike which is dominating here today we have just had a response from the rail delivery group to the announcement at that aslef strike, on the 13th of august. the rail delivery group says the action and by aslef shows a cynical approach to talks, a total disregard for passengers, and is putting it one's

summer plans at risk. the action will bring the total number of strike days on the railways to ten, disrupting plans injune, july and august. like any public service, we have to change the times and it is only by making necessary reforms that we can give our people a pay rise. and i was not the time for further strikes so we urge the aslef leadership to resume talks to reach a deal that is fair to staff and taxpayers and which secures a better and more affordable railway, so a strongly worded statement bear from the rail delivery group to the announcement of that aslef strike. there are a couple more to come from the rmt in august, of course, are now aslef train joined, drivers union saying he will be strike on saturday the 13th of august. much more to come in all of that, altered a's news coming up in the six o'clock news but we will take a look at the weather right now. here is louise. hello there. the weather is quite quiet

through the middle part of the week. it's all about high pressure at the moment, but it's a rather cloudy high, so after early morning sunshine, the cloud did arrive as we went through the day and, in actual fact, there is a few isolated and well—scattered showers around as well. so the high is starting to push its way steadily eastwards, and what that will then do is allow the wind direction to change to a light, but a southeasterly, so it's a warmer flow through the course of thursday and also into friday. here are the showers moving their way gradually northwards overnight tonight, out of wales, into northern england, across the isle of man, maybe one or two to the far north of northern ireland as well. with the cloud around too, we keep those temperatures up into double digits, so it's going to be a milder start to thursday morning. bit of a grey one. still some showers gradually drifting their way to southern scotland as well. they will weaken as we go into the afternoon. and on the whole, despite the cloud, there will also be some glimpses of sunshine and temperatures a degree or so up on today. we should see highest values of 2a degrees —

that's 75 fahrenheit. now, that bodes well for the commonwealth games opening ceremony taking place in birmingham. cloudy skies, but a good deal of dry weather and certainly not too cold. so there's the high, pushing its way off into scandinavia. friday will be certainly a quiet day with very light winds, with the exception of the far north and west. as we go through the day, the breeze will pick up and we'll gradually start to see some cloud. there's a weather front that's going to bring some rain for the start of the weekend. but on the whole, friday will be dry, settled and sunny and relatively warm — mid to high 20s not out of the question across some parts of the midlands and south east england. then, as we move into the weekend, i can offer you some welcome rain across scotland, northern ireland and northern however, it's never going to get down to the south east, so, here, it will stay

dry, sunny and warm. the rain sits across the far northwest, slowly easing away for the second half of the weekend. all in all, then, let'sjust summarise that for you. as we head into the weekend, there's going to be some rain in the far north and west, gradually sinking south, but it never quite makes the southeast.

at six... major disruption on britain's railways again, as tens of thousands of railworkers walk out — and there's another rail strike on saturday. only one in five trains has been running today. network rail says passenger numbers are down by around 70%. i'm going to find it very difficult to get home, actually. i live on the south coast and there are no trains running to the south coast. i support them. i think it's appalling, actually, what people are expected to live off. and there are more strikes to come. train drivers have just announced a new strike on august 13th. also on the programme... fears that gas prices in the uk could rise even higher, as russia switches off most of its gas supply to europe. the impact of inflation hits hamburgers — mcdonald's is among some of the world's biggest consumer brands putting up the prices

because of soaring costs.