status preservation of the taiwan status quo, and that is going to be achieved by a bunch of other measures from the united states, its partners, friends and allies. in a taiwanese itself, including taiwan's indigenous defence, bringing in a crisis early by what is essentially a symbolic visit, i don't think helps. so, hopefully by the time these two leaders speak, the matter is resolved, but if it's not, then it will inevitably be a focus of this summit. this is only the third virtual summit with these two leaders since president biden took office. it would be unfortunate if it was derailed by this symbolic visit by the united states speaker. has the us got itself into a medal now whereby if speaker pelosi doesn't go to taiwan, the us looks weak? to doesn't go to taiwan, the us looks weak? ., , ., ., ,, weak? to be fair to the us administration, _ weak? to be fair to the us administration, i- weak? to be fair to the us administration, i think- weak? to be fair to the us i administration, i think there weak? to be fair to the us - administration, i think there is signalling and overall there china

strategy, undersecretary state blanket and under the national security adviser but also under president biden has been fairly straight and forth right now. i think this is some free ranging by speaker pelosi. doesn't have a reputational impact in the united states? of course it does. but beneath the surface, as we all know, the administration is desperately trying to stop —— talk speaker pelosi out of it. as a friend and partner of the united states but now heading a think tank, i would also urge speaker pelosi simply to postpone the visit, send some other congressional representatives at this stage. they are so many tender boxes at the world of the moment. why unnecessarily add an additional tinderbox when we've got so much else we are wrestling with?- else we are wrestling with? kevin, thank yom — the us secretary of state, antony blinken, says the us has offered a substantial deal to russia, aimed at freeing american detainees brittney griner and paul whelan. mr blinken says he expects to speak with russia soon about the proposal.

let's get more with our state department correspondent barbara plett usher. barbara, is there some kind of prisoner swap in the works? we don't know, they wouldn't _ prisoner swap in the works? we don't know, they wouldn't give _ prisoner swap in the works? we don't know, they wouldn't give any - prisoner swap in the works? we don't know, they wouldn't give any details l know, they wouldn't give any details about the substantial proposal. we also note that russia has expressed interest in the release of notorious arms dealer who is injail in the united states. and we know that there has been mounting pressure to win the release of britney greiner, famous basketball star arrested on drug related charges in russia. paul whelan, from a us marine who has been detained there for several years, and that the administration officials have said repeatedly that they are determined to do so, but still, this is quite a rare and risky move to go public at this juncture, especially because the administration hasn't been speaking to the russians since the invasion of ukraine. to the russians since the invasion of ukraine-—

the white house says president biden has tested negative for covid—i9, after spending five days in isolation. the president will continue to wear a mask for the next ten days — here's mr biden speaking at the white house a bit earlier on wednesday. here's the bottom line — when my predecessor got covid, he had to get helicoptered to walter reed medical centre. he was severely ill — thankfully, he recovered. when i got covid, i worked from upstairs in the white house, in the offices upstairs, for that five—day period. the difference is vaccinations, of course. us media outlets are reporting that the department ofjustice is investigating former president donald trump's actions in the days before the january 6th attack on the us capitol. that's reportedly part of a wider criminal probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election result. for more, let's bring in ron christie, a republican strategist who worked in the white house of president george w bush.

and also a lawyer. ron, do you think president trump could be in some legal bother here?— president trump could be in some legal bother here? good evening to ou, legal bother here? good evening to you. laura- — legal bother here? good evening to you. laura- any _ legal bother here? good evening to you, laura. any time _ legal bother here? good evening to you, laura. any time that - legal bother here? good evening to you, laura. any time that you - legal bother here? good evening to you, laura. any time that you are l you, laura. any time that you are under investigation by the federal department ofjustice, yes, i think you can potentially be in some legal jeopardy. the question is what crimes are they looking to potentially indict him on and the moment they bring those charges, if they elect to do so. the moment they bring those charges, if they elect to do so.— they elect to do so. the question is whether or — they elect to do so. the question is whether or not _ they elect to do so. the question is whether or not the _ they elect to do so. the question is whether or not the president - they elect to do so. the question is whether or not the president is - they elect to do so. the question is whether or not the president is in l whether or not the president is in legal trouble, ultimately. as he and some political trouble? when you look at for example the governor of florida, he seems to be pulling pretty well against mr trump and a potential matchup or who gets the republican nomination. ihla potential matchup or who gets the republican nomination. no question in m mind republican nomination. no question in my mind that _ republican nomination. no question in my mind that ron _ republican nomination. no question in my mind that ron desantis - republican nomination. no question in my mind that ron desantis is - in my mind that ron desantis is gaining on the president. you've seen some polls indicate that in new hampshire, the first stage where we vote here in the united states, that he has overtaken mr trump and a potential had on had matchup. yes, i

think a potential legal liabilities here are diminishing president trump's return. we here are diminishing president trump's return.— here are diminishing president trump's return. here are diminishing president trum's return. ~ ., . . trump's return. we are hearing that president trump's _ trump's return. we are hearing that president trump's one _ trump's return. we are hearing that president trump's one time - trump's return. we are hearing that president trump's one time chief i trump's return. we are hearing that president trump's one time chief ofj president trump's one time chief of staff, nick mulvaney, who resigned as northern ireland and the way and discussed on january the 6th, as northern ireland and the way and discussed onjanuary the 6th, becky is speaking to the committee investigating january six tomorrow. how do you assess the significance of that? ~ ., , ., of that? the white house chief of staff is probably _ of that? the white house chief of staff is probably the _ of that? the white house chief of staff is probably the second - of that? the white house chief of staff is probably the second most| staff is probably the second most powerful person in the white house. it's not the vice president. the chief of staff manages staff but they manage the president. nick mulvaney will be in a position to share with the committee what was the president doing, what was the president not doing and shed more light on what it was like in those fearful hours while this insurrection was going on. ron, thank yon _ insurrection was going on. ron, thank yon my _ insurrection was going on. ron, thank you. my pleasure. - a us congressional committee investigating the arms industry says gun manufacturers earned more than $1 billion from the sale of semi—automatic weapons over the last decade. some lawmakers accused gun makers of putting profits over people, as committee members grilled

the ceos of weapons manufacturers, following a series of grim mass shootings in texas and new york. this comes a month after president biden signed a bipartisan gun reform into law — but house democrats want to go further and ban assault weapons. in other news... at least four people have died in the philippines after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the northern province of abra. almost 60 landslides have been reported and many buildings and roads have been damaged. a historical world heritage site has also been partly destroyed. the quake was felt as far as 180 miles away in the country's capital, manila. french president emmanuel macron has strongly criticised the response of african leaders to the war in ukraine. mr macron is currently in cameroon, in the middle of a tour of the continent. he spoke about what he called "the hypocrisy" of some leaders denying the conflict in ukraine was a war. the un has criticised china's crackdown on political activists in hong kong,

saying beijing's imposition of a national security law in 2020 appears to override fundamental rights guaranteed when the territory was handed over from the uk 25 years ago. the un human rights committee said the national security law should be repealed. firefighters in california are battling wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate. oak fire started on friday and has burned through almost 20,000 acres in the mariposa county — only about a quarter of the fire is under control. 0ur correspondent james clayton has joined one family returning to their property for the first time since their home was burned down. a warning — his report contains scenes that some viewers may find upsetting. this was the martinez family's favourite place in the world. they called it shangri—la. their home has now been obliterated.

aaron has returned to assess the damage. this was my house. this is where i felt the safest. this is where my office was, my television, my computer, books, and binders. there's just nothing... it's a picture frame, it was a glass frame. i had family pictures in it. it's all the stuff that can't be replaced. it hurts. grandmother's writing, pictures... oh, god. even old answering machines that we saved that we stopped using just so that we could hear grandparents' voices. it's all gone. meow, meow, meow! aaron's wife, heather, is trying

to look for the family cats. i don't see anything. yeah, i'm trying to hear more than see. they had 15 of them, but none of them respond to the calls. it looked like it was one of the teenage ones, i or like teenage to adult. poor thing. her son austin finds one of the kittens. it didn't make it. i've never experienced anything like this, ever in my life, never. he sobs. the grief is overwhelming for aaron. but the family knew living here was becoming increasingly risky. the climate here, you've lived here all your life. have you noticed it change? it has gotten a lot hotter. a lot hotter and a lot drier. a lot of people we talk to we're like, "should we try and rebuild, shall we stay?" and they say, "we're selling, we're getting out of here." the martinez family didn't have insurance. they didn'tjust lose memories — they lost everything. we're going to rebuild and we'll be

stronger and smarter. but this loss hurts. it hurts a lot. what happened to the martinez family is a danger more and more californians are facing, as it gets drier and drier. james clayton, bbc news, mariposa county, california. so much loss in california from those wildfires. it's almost a year, since the taliban retook power in afghanistan — and resistance forces — loyal to the previous government — are fighting an insurgency. at the moment — clashes are confined to a handful of areas — long known for anti—taliban sentiment. but resistance forces are behind the most sustained clashes afghanistan has seen over the past year. secunder kermani was given rare access, to an area where anti taliban forces been active — the an—darab valley. out on patrol. the taliban are now more powerful than they've ever been. more powerful than the old afghan

government ever was. but in this scenic part of the country, they're facing a resistance movement. a small band of guerrillas, led by former army soldiers, is launching attacks here in andarab, as well as in neighbouring panjshir province, where they recently managed to bring down a taliban helicopter. it's hard to get a sense of the true scale of the fighting. the resistance exaggerate their strength, whilst the taliban outright deny their presence. translation: you can see yourself, we only have a small— military presence here. there are no problems. i was told of at least one ambush on a taliban vehicle in this valley. translation: that| was a long time ago. we carried out some operations in the mountains, and now there is nothing.

elsewhere in this province, resistance fighters managed to take over a taliban military post, pulling down theirflag. but when we visit andarab, they're the ones in charge. from what we've seen, the taliban are in firm control of the territory here. that's presumably why they're happy for us to have visited. but they're also accused of committing serious human rights abuses, in trying to stamp out this resistance movement. relatives told us villagers abdul hashim and nur rullah were detained and killed, after wrongly being accused of attacking the taliban. as for people being taken out of their homes, detained, bound and then killed, we totally refuse this. yes, if there is a clearance operation in an area and someone violently resists the government forces, they will be killed or arrested.

that happens everywhere in the world. accompanied by taliban fighters at all times, it was hard to gauge what locals really think. many we contacted secretly strongly oppose the taliban, but some also criticised the resistance forces. we managed to speak to one of their commanders. surely there's no actual chance of you defeating the taliban, so what's the point in continuing the violence? translation: our fight - is forjustice, for brotherhood, equality and for the real islam, not the islam of the taliban, which defames the religion. 0urfight is for the rights of our sisters. the prophet muhammad said education is compulsory for both men and women. the taliban's insurgency over the past two decades was, in part, fuelled by anger at aggressive raids and the killing of civilians by international forces

and the afghan army. here in andarab and the surrounding areas, despite recruiting some locals, many see the taliban as outsiders, and they risk repeating the same mistakes as their old opponents. secunder kermani, bbc news, andarab. in football, germany have beaten france in the second semi—finals match of the women's euros. both teams got a goal before half time, but germany took the lead in the second—half to win 2—1. the eight—time european champions will now face england in sunday's final at wembley stadium in london. and finally, a new statue has been unveiled here in washington, in the capitol building's statuary hall. it's a tribute to amelia earhart — in this year which marks the 90th anniversary of her solo flight across the atlantic. earhart�*s statue brings the total number of women in the hall to ii — out of 100 statues, two from each of america's 50 states.

i'm laura trevelyan. thank you for watching world news america. 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 england, maybe north wales as well. 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 south east.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me arejenny kleeman who is a journalist and broadcaster, and olivia utley, assistant comment editor at the telegraph. welcome to you both, quite a few already in, let's flick there what type arrived so far. —— through

what's arrived so far. rail strikes are on the front of the yorkshire post. around 40,000 members walked out today in a row over pay and conditions, with more strikes still to come. —— to come on saturday and in august. the guardian says the uk could face a general strike this year, with industrial unrest expected to deepen over the summer. and that's on the front of the i, too, after the rmt�*s boss calls for a general strike if liz truss becomes prime minister and introduces follows her pledge to introduce anti—union laws. making it easier to call in agency workers. the metro says thisjuly will be our driest for more than a century, with temperatures this month around two degrees higher than average. staying with the drought — and the daily star says we should cut down on our showers this summer to help save water. interest rates are on the front of the financial times, as the federal reserve in the us

raised its bench—mark policy rate by 0.75 percentage points for the second month in a row. and the voice, britain's leading national black newspaper which was set up a year after the 1981 riots, is marking a0 years in print. let's start, welcome to you both. i hope you've seen all the papers we've been outlining. jenny, should we've been outlining. jenny, should we kick off with the i and this threat of general strikes? liz truss will absolutely _ threat of general strikes? liz truss will absolutely love _ threat of general strikes? liz truss will absolutely love this _ threat of general strikes? liz truss will absolutely love this headline i threat of general strikes? liz truss will absolutely love this headline -| will absolutely love this headline — she today outlined what she would be doing to curb strikes, it's been a summary of strikes, there are fears of a general strike to come, threats of a general strike to come, threats of a general strike to come. we've had doctors and nurses balloting to strike soon. liz truss said she

would legislate to ensure that also wants to raise the minimum threshold for the number of workers to ballot for each strike action. this has in rage for the unions and is precisely what liz truss wants — keir starmer said it earlier this week, the conservative leadership debate is kind of a margaret thatcher cosplay. she wants to appear to be taking a tough stance against the unions in the mould of margaret thatcher. in fact, what she's proposing is what the conservative government has always proposed since 2019, they've made these promises they'll take on the unions. grant shapps talked about being able to legislate to get agency workers into take the place of striking staff. none of it is particularly new, but this kind of rhetoric is designed to go down well with the conservative party members who will be voting in the leadership

election in a few weeks.— election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you _ election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see _ election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see it, _ election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see it, a _ election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see it, a gift - election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see it, a gift for - election in a few weeks. olivia, is that how you see it, a gift for liz| that how you see it, a gift for liz truss? asjenny has been saying, this is an a new idea. truss? as jenny has been saying, this is an a new idea.— truss? as jenny has been saying, this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- — this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- new— this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- new ideas _ this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- new ideas and - this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- new ideas and they - this is an a new idea. these are not new site -- new ideas and they are | new site —— new ideas and they are being _ new site —— new ideas and they are being presented is extremely radical. but what liz truss is suggesting— the threshold will be raised _ suggesting— the threshold will be raised to— suggesting— the threshold will be raised to 50% of union members have to hack— raised to 50% of union members have to hack it. _ raised to 50% of union members have to hack it. up— raised to 50% of union members have to back it, up from 40%, not a huge change _ to back it, up from 40%, not a huge change they— to back it, up from 40%, not a huge change. they have to give four weeks notice _ change. they have to give four weeks notice of _ change. they have to give four weeks notice of strike, not two weeks, not a huge _ notice of strike, not two weeks, not a huge change. there will be quite a lot of— a huge change. there will be quite a lot of people in the country who would _ lot of people in the country who would think those seams like a fair compromise. yes, workers should have the right— compromise. yes, workers should have the right to _ compromise. yes, workers should have the right to strike, but ordinary people — the right to strike, but ordinary people should have the right to go about their ordinary days. liz truss will he _ about their ordinary days. liz truss will be perfectly prepared to stand lry will be perfectly prepared to stand by what _ will be perfectly prepared to stand by what she's pledged so far, and as jenny— by what she's pledged so far, and as jenny says. — by what she's pledged so far, and as jenny says, winding up the unions is probably— jenny says, winding up the unions is probably a _ jenny says, winding up the unions is probably a bit of an added bonus for her, probably a bit of an added bonus for her. and _ probably a bit of an added bonus for her. and it— probably a bit of an added bonus for her, and it will probably appeal to conservative party members who will be voting _ conservative party members who will be voting over the summer. gnto

conservative party members who will be voting over the summer.— be voting over the summer. onto the fte, because — be voting over the summer. onto the fte, because the _ be voting over the summer. onto the fte, because the rmt _ be voting over the summer. onto the fte, because the rmt chief - be voting over the summer. onto the fte, because the rmt chief is - fte, because the rmt chief is hitting out at liz truss for attacking fundamental british liberties, such as the right to strike which has been with us for more than a century. interestingly coinciding with the sacking of sam tarry, but maybe we'll come to that later on. 0'grady is not the type of person who would be calling for a general strike, person who would be calling for a generalstrike, but person who would be calling for a general strike, but these underlying principles of workers being able to withdrawal labour in response to not being treated fairly? it withdrawal labour in response to not being treated fairly?— being treated fairly? it would be frightening for _ being treated fairly? it would be frightening for the power - being treated fairly? it would be frightening for the power of - being treated fairly? it would be frightening for the power of the | frightening for the power of the unions to be curbed by these rules if you're the head of the tuc, you wouldn't want that at all. frances 0'grady says the trust plans to curb union rights will spark resistance rivalling the strike of 1926, talking about the strikes of a century ago as if they are fresh and

everybody�*s minds. the fact of the matter is on both sides, this is what they live for. the unions live for this kind of sparring, and grant shapps is talking about a 16 point plan intended to complete thatcher's unfinished business. they are all on the most comfortable territory here. but they are talking about air is long past. mrs thatcher was prime minister a0 years ago, the general strikes were in 1926. we need a modern solution to deal with the cost—of—living crisis — i think people will be very weary of strikes, we are all facing in inflation, we all need pay rises. you might be able to forgive rail workers are striking once or twice, but if this is a continued thing, and we heard today there will be more sets of strikes, other unions

striking, striking on the 18th and beyond, you'll get a sense that people will get pretty fed up with them. ., .,, people will get pretty fed up with them. ., ,, .,, them. the yorkshire post splashing on the real strikes, _ them. the yorkshire post splashing on the real strikes, that _ them. the yorkshire post splashing on the real strikes, that decision i on the real strikes, that decision by the union to come out on strike, as well, in august. from your knowledge of events, the government says it's not getting involved in any of this, but where is the government in terms of speaking, negotiating been companies? it seems the government _ negotiating been companies? it seems the government has _ negotiating been companies? it seems the government has shifted _ negotiating been companies? it seems the government has shifted a - the government has shifted a bit, those _ the government has shifted a bit, those talks of an 8% pay raise. but it is in— those talks of an 8% pay raise. but it is in the — those talks of an 8% pay raise. but it is in the government's interest, and as— it is in the government's interest, and asjenny said, it sort of proves that they— and asjenny said, it sort of proves that they have their margaret thatcher credentials, that's quite useful— thatcher credentials, that's quite useful for— thatcher credentials, that's quite useful for the conservative government at the moment, promising

to crack— government at the moment, promising to crack on— government at the moment, promising to crack on strikes is quite helpful _ to crack on strikes is quite helpful i_ to crack on strikes is quite helpful. i also think that the point we are _ helpful. i also think that the point we are facing inflation, private—sector workers in low— paid 'obs private—sector workers in low— paid jobs having — private—sector workers in low— paid jobs having to pay the salaries through— jobs having to pay the salaries through their taxes public sector workers — through their taxes public sector workers doesn't seem fair. sol think— workers doesn't seem fair. sol think the — workers doesn't seem fair. sol think the government can stand on quite _ think the government can stand on quite firm — think the government can stand on quite firm ground in resisting calls for an— quite firm ground in resisting calls for an inflation busting pay raise. but it— for an inflation busting pay raise. but it does— for an inflation busting pay raise. but it does sound as though they are beginning _ but it does sound as though they are beginning to move up a little bit, particularly in the cases of teachers, who have already been quite _ teachers, who have already been quite a _ teachers, who have already been quite a lot, — teachers, who have already been quite a lot, it sounds like the government will probably been quite a bit further, the same could happen with the _ a bit further, the same could happen with the nhs. there are doctors and nurses leaving britain to go elsewhere — when you have a situation _ elsewhere — when you have a situation like that, that seems like a good _ situation like that, that seems like a good case for pay rises. sol think— a good case for pay rises. sol think it — a good case for pay rises. sol think it will — a good case for pay rises. sol think it will depend union to union on what _ think it will depend union to union on what happens. 0verall think it will depend union to union on what happens. overall the talks about _ on what happens. overall the talks about a _ on what happens. overall the talks about a general strike are a bit getting — about a general strike are a bit getting into a silly thing. staying with the yorkshire _ getting into a silly thing. staying with the yorkshire post, - getting into a silly thing. staying with the yorkshire post, when i getting into a silly thing. staying i with the yorkshire post, when you were talking about us getting weary

of strike actions, because it's right across the sector, everyone would like a 10% pay increase, meaning they aren't actually losing money in terms of their wages when it comes to inflation. but do you see the gamble for unions because of public opinion? this is really inconveniencing millions of people, you know, rail tickets are expensive, as well. if you can't guarantee getting to work by rail, people will get quite upset, won't they? riff people will get quite upset, won't the ? .., , , people will get quite upset, won't the ? , , ., ., they? of course they are. however, ou know they? of course they are. however, you know how _ they? of course they are. however, you know how well— they? of course they are. however, you know how well a _ they? of course they are. however, you know how well a lot _ they? of course they are. however, you know how well a lot of - they? of course they are. however, you know how well a lot of these i you know how well a lot of these union leaders come across on tv. mick lynch has played a blinder over the past couple months, and people are beginning to think maybe they have a point. but there's only so long that people can think that whilst they are trying to get to work or they can't get to the commonwealth games that they've got tickets for, all the other disruptions that might be in place— we've got strikes on the london

underground do later on in august, as well. it is a difficult tightrope to walk. yes, they've got this 8% pay rise but it's over two years, a% a year. there will come a point where the bubble dust public will think, "0k, you've made your point, you've been given an offer, we've had enough." fin you've been given an offer, we've had enough-"— you've been given an offer, we've had enough." on the real strikes, interestingly _ had enough." on the real strikes, interestingly grant _ had enough." on the real strikes, interestingly grant shapps - had enough." on the real strikes, interestingly grant shapps has i had enough." on the real strikes, i interestingly grant shapps has been out talking about as left, the median salary being £60,000 — some people at the top end earning £80,000. of course you need to be well—trained to have this job, but that's quite a big salary in terms of the government's narrative, when you think of the medium salary overall is less than half that. absolutely, and i think that will rankle — absolutely, and i think that will rankle with ordinary people, and it's a _ rankle with ordinary people, and it's a good — rankle with ordinary people, and it's a good line for the government to use _ it's a good line for the government to use. those sorts of figures are comparable with relatively senior

doctors. — comparable with relatively senior doctors, for example. there is also this sense — doctors, for example. there is also this sense that in some ways, it's rail workers— this sense that in some ways, it's rail workers - _ this sense that in some ways, it's rail workers — turkeys voting for christmas, _ rail workers — turkeys voting for christmas, but the railways were decimated were decimated by the lockdowns which still aren't up to full usage — lockdowns which still aren't up to full usage on the train lines. there are lots— full usage on the train lines. there are lots of— full usage on the train lines. there are lots of people who have been working _ are lots of people who have been working from home a few years, they've — working from home a few years, they've been encouraged to come back to the _ they've been encouraged to come back to the offices, they've seen a slight benefit in coming back to their— slight benefit in coming back to their offices. but if there are nine grand _ their offices. but if there are nine grand a _ their offices. but if there are nine grand a year season ticket only gets them _ grand a year season ticket only gets them to— grand a year season ticket only gets them to work three quarters of the time whilst — them to work three quarters of the time whilst there are strikes happening, they'lljust give up and stop using — happening, they'lljust give up and stop using the railways altogether. so there _ stop using the railways altogether. so there is— stop using the railways altogether. so there is a lot of frustration building — so there is a lot of frustration building there, as you say, people think— building there, as you say, people think their— building there, as you say, people think their salaries are actually pretty— think their salaries are actually pretty high compared to the rest of the country. and also, the idea that train drivers— the country. and also, the idea that train drivers can hold the country to ransom — train drivers can hold the country to ransom it— train drivers can hold the country to ransom it is in some ways quite antiquated — to ransom it is in some ways quite antiquated. the post lockdown model

of working _ antiquated. the post lockdown model of working is very different from the ones — of working is very different from the ones that used to be. sol of working is very different from the ones that used to be. so i think with the _ the ones that used to be. so i think with the real strikes in particular, it might _ with the real strikes in particular, it might be — with the real strikes in particular, it might be that the unions, although i agree mick lynch is very good, _ although i agree mick lynch is very good, they— although i agree mick lynch is very good, they could be fighting a losing battle. it�*s good, they could be fighting a losing battle.— good, they could be fighting a losing battle. good, they could be fighting a losin: battle. �* , , ., ., losing battle. it's been hot and the consequences _ losing battle. it's been hot and the consequences for _ losing battle. it's been hot and the consequences for the _ losing battle. it's been hot and the consequences for the metro i losing battle. it's been hot and the i consequences for the metro pointing out here, along with other papers, that this is the driestjuly since 1911. that this is the driest july since 1911. , , , ., �* , 1911. this is interesting, how it's beinu 1911. this is interesting, how it's being covered. _ 1911. this is interesting, how it's being covered. i— 1911. this is interesting, how it's being covered. i think _ 1911. this is interesting, how it's being covered. i think maybe i 1911. this is interesting, how it's being covered. i think maybe al being covered. i think maybe a couple of years ago, there would've been a picture of a toddler eating an ice cream on the beach, and perhaps it would have been celebrated a bit. fir perhaps it would have been celebrated a bit.— perhaps it would have been celebrated a bit. or on a deck chair, that's _ celebrated a bit. or on a deck chair, that's the _ celebrated a bit. or on a deck chair, that's the other - celebrated a bit. or on a deck chair, that's the other staple. celebrated a bit. or on a deck- chair, that's the other staple. but now we are _ chair, that's the other staple. pm now we are looking at this with a different eye. i know certainly for myself, when i saw the weather forecast last week, that it would be a0 degrees where i live — that number four is something i've a0 degrees where i live — that numberfour is something i've never seen. we are all looking at the

weather in terms of climate change now. it interested me very much to see how this fact, the driestjuly since 1911, is being reported on the front of the metro. it's not something to celebrate at all any more. �* , . something to celebrate at all any more. ~ , ., ., , something to celebrate at all any more. ~ , ., ., , more. and the star has a different take on it but _ more. and the star has a different take on it but the _ more. and the star has a different take on it but the same _ more. and the star has a different take on it but the same story i more. and the star has a different take on it but the same story - i more. and the star has a different i take on it but the same story - they take on it but the same story — they are really cranking out some fantastic front pages, has been for the past year or so. i'm not asking the past year or so. i'm not asking the directorjanet to zoom in too much on that picture, but anyway, it means don't wash your hair too much — depends on where she zooms — don't wash your hair, that's one piece of advice. �* ., advice. and the level of advice that's coming _ advice. and the level of advice that's coming out _ advice. and the level of advice that's coming out of— advice. and the level of advice that's coming out of public- advice. and the level of advice i that's coming out of public bodies at the _ that's coming out of public bodies at the moment is pretty pathetic — we've _ at the moment is pretty pathetic — we've known for a long time that more _ we've known for a long time that more droughts, partly because of

climate _ more droughts, partly because of climate change, are likely. it's not really _ climate change, are likely. it's not really that — climate change, are likely. it's not really that surprising that we've -ot really that surprising that we've got a _ really that surprising that we've got a drought injuly, and yet the planning — got a drought injuly, and yet the planning for it has been abysmal. there doesn't seem to have been any drought strategy in place at all. the government'sjust been waiting until things get absolutely desperate before deciding something should _ desperate before deciding something should happen, then it's sticking plaster— should happen, then it's sticking plaster solution like shower less don't _ plaster solution like shower less don't use — plaster solution like shower less don't use your hose pipes — it's a very— don't use your hose pipes — it's a very good — don't use your hose pipes — it's a very good example of very poor forward planning and government for successive _ forward planning and government for successive governmentsjust forward planning and government for successive governments just looking at the _ successive governments just looking at the next _ successive governments just looking at the next election and not doing the difficult things like fixing the roof _ the difficult things like fixing the roof. , , , ., ., ., the difficult things like fixing the roof. . , , ., ., ., ., ., roof. jenny, you and olivia are far too young — roof. jenny, you and olivia are far too young to _ roof. jenny, you and olivia are far too young to remember _ roof. jenny, you and olivia are far too young to remember this, i roof. jenny, you and olivia are far too young to remember this, the | too young to remember this, the bands of the 1970s — but did you pick up on that point about this lack of planning? these are just basic things for governments to have to monitor and prepare for as we've seen over the last few decades, and

getting worse. seen over the last few decades, and getting worse-— getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things _ getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things as — getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things as was _ getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things as was just _ getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things as wasjust said, i getting worse. yes, and it's one of those things as wasjust said, the l those things as was just said, the electoral cycle means you're not planning ahead, and we saw that with pandemics. but this idea we should be rushing our water use — i'm already rationing my cup of tea making because we got a smart metre and i know how much the cost of energy is, the idea is not that are you drinking leaders a day? know that when it _ you drinking leaders a day? know that when it was _ you drinking leaders a day? know that when it was very _ you drinking leaders a day? know that when it was very hot, - you drinking leaders a day? know that when it was very hot, i i you drinking leaders a day? know that when it was very hot, i was i that when it was very hot, i was having a shower at night before i went to bed, showering more regularly. the idea now that not only is the energy to make a cup of tea going to be something you should really be watching, but also the water inside it — this isjust a fact of life of how we live now, it's all rather depressing. onto the death of james _

it's all rather depressing. onto the death of james lovelock _