this is bbc news with the latest headlines. a spectacular start to the commonwealth games in birmingham as the city celebrates its diversity and history with an action—packed opening ceremony. sixteen gold medals are up for grabs today. the government has revealed how the £400 of help for rising energy bills will be paid in england, scotland and wales. there'll be six monthly instalments from october. a nine—year—old girl dies after a suspected stabbing in boston in lincolnshire. police launch a murder investigation. last week's record temperatures would have been almost impossible if it weren't for man—made climate change, according to scientists in a new report. at least eight people killed in flash floods in kentucky.

the governor issues a state of emergency in six counties and warns hundreds of people will lose their homes. the end of the so—called wagatha christie trial — rebecca vardy and colleen rooney will find out today which of them has won their high court libel case. # everybody needs good neighbours. and it's farewell to neighbours after four decades as fans here in the uk prepare for tonight's final episode. birmingham put on a spectacular show last night for the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games. 30,000 people gathered at the alexander stadium, while millions more watched around the world.

the show kicks off 11 days of sporting action, with more than 5000 athletes from 72 nations and territories across the commonwealth all taking part across 280 medal events. competition has already started, with lawn bowls the first sport to get under way. today will also see commonwealth games debuts for women's t20 cricket, basketball and wheelchair basketball. but it all started last night in the alexander stadium. our sports editor dan roan was there. in times of darkness. we carry a dream of light. that calls us all together. it may be known as the second city, but this was birmingham's time to shine. the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games was under way. here in the beating heart

of england, the 72 nations and territories competing here represented by 72 houses coming together again after covid and forming a new neighbourhood in a courtyard of the commonwealth. before, in the year of her platinum jubilee, a montage honouring the queen's long commitment to the games. these the 18th of her reign. in a tribute to the city's rich history of car manufacturing, a convoy of dozens of midlands—made automobiles manoeuvring into a patriotic formation. at the wheel of the final vehicle, the heir to the throne. the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall representing the queen before a rousing rendition of the national anthem. # god save the queen!# and crowned with a flyover. in a powerful moment, activist

and author malala yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the taliban and now calls this city home, delivered a moving message. remember that every child deserves the chance to reach her full potential and pursue her wildest dreams. birmingham's bullring market dates back to the 12th century and, in a stunning portrayal of the darker side of the industrial revolution, a group of exploited female chain—makers then dragged in a giant bull. with a 10m high creation highlighting the city's journey towards multiculturalism, after moments of tension, tolerance prevailed. now it was time for the athletes to take centre stage. last hosts, australia, the first to appear in a procession of 5,000 competitors. hazel irvine: listen - to the reaction of the crowd. arms aloft, all in unison. this is quite an entrance. and, finally, england, as hosts, completing the parade. it was time for the formalities.

the raising of the commonwealth flag followed by the arrival of the queen's baton carried by a group of famous athletes on the final steps of its 294—day tour. diver tom daley, a winner of four commonwealth golds, making a statement against homophobia ahead of the event in which more than half the countries competing here criminalise same—sex relations. the baton�*s journey finally complete. my warmest thanks go to all those who have worked so hard to ensure the success of this particularly special sporting event. and i wish each athlete and team every success. your hard work and dedication, particularly in recent times, have been an inspiration to all of us. it now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 22nd commonwealth games open.

cheering iconic british band duran duran then headlining the biggest show their hometown has ever seen. birmingham's big moment had begun. of course new zealand has a proud connection to the commonwealth games, having hosted them on three occasions, and it's hoping to win the first gold medal in triathlon today. joining me now is lisette reymer, europe correspondent for new zealand based news service, newshub. we can see that big, giant ball that is in a lot of the british

newspapers.— is in a lot of the british newsuaers. ~ ., ., ., is in a lot of the british news-naers. . ., ., ., ., is in a lot of the british newsuaers. ~ ., ., ., ., newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight _ newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight to _ newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight to see _ newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight to see it _ newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight to see it in _ and what a sight to see newspapers. what a moment that was and what a sight to see it in the - and what a sight to see it in the middle of the square. i am told it received a police escort up the highway last night after the opening ceremony and it took two hours to travel five miles. pretty impressive and drawing a huge crowd already. how is it that you are reporting on the commonwealth games for your audience in new zealand? what are the big headlines you think they need to know?— the big headlines you think they need to know? , ., ., , need to know? kiwis love the games. an excuse need to know? kiwis love the games. any excuse to — need to know? kiwis love the games. any excuse to get _ need to know? kiwis love the games. any excuse to get involved _ need to know? kiwis love the games. any excuse to get involved in - any excuse to get involved in sporting success and forget the all blacks' recent losses, we will grab hold of. we are focusing on all of the big events that kiwis are most looking forward to in terms of gold medal opportunities. the sevens rugby teams have a huge history here

at the games. the men have only lost one game ever in the history of these games, so a lot of pressure on both of those teams. we do have a bunch of defending champions competing in these games. we are just really excited to get stuck into the sport finally. the commonwealth _ into the sport finally. the commonwealth games, | into the sport finally. the commonwealth games, i| into the sport finally. the commonwealth games, i am sure you agree, feel young, a bit like the olympics, a lot of young teenage 0lympics, a lot of young teenage athletes to keep an eye on, there is athletes to keep an eye on, there is a lot of youth engagement in these games as well, many young people taking part in the ceremony last night. is there excitement about maggie squires, 16 years old? yes. maggie squires, 16 years old? yes, that divin: maggie squires, 16 years old? yes, that diving squad _ maggie squires, 16 years old? yes, that diving squad is _ maggie squires, 16 years old? is: that diving squad is extraordinary. the oldest is 25 and they consider them the seasoned veteran of the squad. there is a lot of excitement for that team to see what they can pull off in these games. when you

speak to them you realise just how major this is for athletes. a lot of people compare it to the olympics and say what is the point of this especially a year after? some of the big names do not show up at the commonwealth games, but when you speak to those divers, you realise this is a huge stepping stone for them, a huge moment for them to show what they are made of and get that experience in these high—pressure scenarios and prepare themselves for a long career at the top of their game. a lot of kiwis watching the diving squad and drawing inspiration from them. when i was 16 i was nowhere near the commonwealth games. very briefly, three opening ceremonies have been staged in new zealand. last night did rename it? yes, you nailed it! it took your

breath away. new zealand have been pushing to make another bid for the 2030 games and we are getting close to getting that across the line and a lot of new zealand officials have been watching very closely what birmingham has been doing here to pick up tips on how to do it and also follow up an incredible show and so far, so magnificent. we will cive ou and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the _ and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull— and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull if— and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull if you _ and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull if you want - and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull if you want it, - and so far, so magnificent. we will give you the bull if you want it, it | give you the bull if you want it, it is all yours. enjoy the games, it is a fantastic story to be reporting on and a lot of kiwis enjoying the games as well. many thanks for your time. the details of a new plan to help support people with rising energy bills have been announced by the government. every household in england, wales and scotland will receive a payment of £400 in six instalments. but charities are concerned the most vulnerable and poor in society may find it difficult to access the help. 0ur consumer affairs correspondent, coletta smith, has this report. a few months ago, the government made this announcement. we have decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £400 for everyone. we are on the side of hard—working families with £6 billion of financial support.

now we are hearing the details of how and when the money will arrive. for direct debit customers, £66 will be deducted automatically from your monthly payments in october and november. and then £67 will come off your bills from december through to march. prepayment customers who use a smart app to top up their meter won't need to do anything either. that same amount will be automatically credited on to their accounts each month. but most prepayment customers don't have a smart meter. butjust over 2 million homes have a traditional prepayment meter like this, where you have to take a key down to your local shop or post office, give them cash and get money added into your account that you then plug in to turn on the gas and electricity. and getting money to those homes is going to be much more difficult. they should get vouchers each month to use to top up, arriving as a text, an e—mail or a letter through the post. i spoke to winston when the price

cap increased a few months ago. now, even in summer, the credit doesn't last long. extra money from the government will help, but won't be enough. it's the skin off the rice pudding. it really is. grateful? yes, of course we're grateful. but if it is costing me £5 a day and they are giving me £400, how long is that actually going to last? i can't afford to run a bath. that's mad. if you were to get a text message or an e—mail saying here's £66, click on this link, would you do it, would you be worried? i would think it was a scam. what happens to the people who are not like that, who are not text savvy? there are a lot of people falling through the cracks. that is why energy charities are worried. for several reasons, people might not open that post. they might have a bad relationship

with their supplier. they might be in debt to their supplier and be afraid to open those envelopes. so we expect some prepayment customers to miss out. prepayment customers are already paying the most for their energy, but the government says it is reasonable that every household is being given the same amount. there are many people who are not on means—tested benefits that perhaps are just above the benefit level but are still really struggling with these really high bills, so we thought this was the fairest and easiest way to distribute the money. however welcome, with energy prices rising again at the start of october, that money will drain even faster. coletta smith, bbc news, in manchester. and later, at 11.30 this morning we'll be answering your questions on rising energy bills and how to redeem the £400 energy payment. you can send them in to us by tweeting using the hash tag #bbcyourquestions or by emailing

them to yourquestions@bbc.co.uk we will give you all the answers at 11:30am. we will give you all the answers at 11:30am. a nine—year—old girl has died after a suspected stabbing in a town centre. lincolnshire police said officers were called to the scene on fountain lane in bostonjust after 6:20 last night. in a short statement the force said, "we have launched a murder investigation. the area has been cordoned off and we will be at the scene for the foreseeable future. the young girl's parents have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time." 0ur reporterjessica lane is at the scene in boston. jessica, is there anything more you can tell us about this? you jessica, is there anything more you can tell us about this?— can tell us about this? you can see the olice can tell us about this? you can see the police tape _ can tell us about this? you can see the police tape that _ can tell us about this? you can see the police tape that you _ can tell us about this? you can see the police tape that you mentioned in the background here and they have cordoned off the whole of fountain

lane. police forensic investigators have been working through the night. they have got those forensic markers on the road. this is a busy street, it is in the shopping centre of the town of boston. we have seen lots of people this morning going back and forwards to work and the shops and cafe is are starting to open. it was here in the street behind me at 20 past six in the evening that the nine—year—old girl was found in what police say with a suspected stab wound. they have launched a murder investigation and they will be here for the foreseeable future. the town's mp has already been in touch with the government to make sure the police here have all the help and support they need to carry out the investigation. i understand the main church in the town centre will be

open later for people to go in, light candles and have a moment of quiet reflection.— quiet reflection. jessica, many thanks. jessica _ quiet reflection. jessica, many thanks. jessica lane _ quiet reflection. jessica, many thanks. jessica lane in - quiet reflection. jessica, many| thanks. jessica lane in boston. the headlines on bbc news... a spectacular start to the commonwealth games in birmingham as the city celebrates its diversity and history with an action packed opening ceremony. sixteen gold medals are up for grabs today the government has revealed how the £400 pounds of help for rising energy bills, will be paid in england, scotland and wales — there'll be six monthly installments from october. last week's record temperatures would have been almost impossible if it weren't for man—made climate change according to scientists in a new report. ajudge at the high court in london is due to rule later today in the libel case which has become known as the wagatha christie trial. rebekah vardy is suing coleen rooney after she accused her of leaking private information to a newspaper. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson has been following the case. it was back in the middle of may when, for seven

days in the high court, everything from the pop star peter andre to the meaning of emojis was mentioned during the so—called wagatha christie trial. rebekah vardy, the wife of leicester city striker jamie vardy, was suing coleen rooney, the wife of england's all—time leading goal—scorer wayne rooney, for libel. today, it will be announced who has won. i was astonished that someone close to either party decided to allow it to go to the level of which we would be exposed to the minutiae of their lives. in pr terms, it is like opening up a gala pie to see a dirty great piece of false teeth in the middle of it. you know, expecting one thing and getting something totally different. the case centres on an online accusation made by coleen rooney in october 2019. she had been doing some detective work to investigate who was allegedly leaking information from her private instagram account

to the sun newspaper. as part of a sting operation, she wrote fictitious tales about investigating gender selection and how the basement of their house had flooded, to see if they would end up in the papers. and they did. only then, and after the use of ten dots to ramp up the tension, did coleen rooney reveal in an online post that the one account she had allowed to read these works of fiction was rebekah vardy�*s. in court, rebekah vardy�*s legal team explained that she felt she had no choice but to bring the case, as she believed she had done nothing wrong and had to clear her name not just for herself but also for the sake of her family. meanwhile, coleen rooney's barrister said that rebekah vardy regularly and frequently leaked stories to the sun and that if she approved or condoned the leaking of information through her agent caroline watt, seen on the left, then she was responsible for caroline watt�*s actions. he spoke about the deliberate deletion and destruction of evidence, accusing rebekah vardy

of deleting whatsapp messages, then having lied about it under oath. she broke down in court crying. caroline watt did not give evidence in court for health reasons and her mobile phone, which could have provided a data trail, went missing in the north sea. the conclusion of coleen rooney's defence — that the accusations made in her original post were true. it is estimated that each side will have a legal bill of well over £1 million. and whoever wins could still be hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket. many have asked why this came to court. at times, rebekah vardy, who brought the case, looked like she was asking the same question. colin paterson, bbc news, the high court. the defence secretary ben wallace has said he's supporting liz truss in the battle to be the next conservative party leader and prime minister. his announcement came as she and rishi sunak appeared before tory party members at the contest�*s

first official hustings in leeds last night. mr sunak said he backed the return of grammar schools, while ms truss repeated her pledge to deliver the northern powerhouse rail scheme in full. 0ur political correspondent iain watson joins us now (05) in our westminster studio. give us a bit more insight into what these hustings are having on conservative party members. the?e these hustings are having on conservative party members. they are the --eole conservative party members. they are the people who _ conservative party members. they are the people who choose _ conservative party members. they are the people who choose the _ conservative party members. they are the people who choose the next - conservative party members. they are the people who choose the next primej the people who choose the next prime minister of this country, not the rest of us. they allowed them to ask questions directly of the candidates. they are the people who cast their votes, so in that sense they are quite important. there will be 12 hustings around the country, the first in leeds last night. some say they came prepared to talk to conservative voters about the issues

they were concerned about. you mentioned the rail project that had been watered down and it was very relevant to leeds. both candidates were saying they were committed to it. the station was cancelled in bradford and were suddenly resurrected by rishi sunak. with more of these to go, i don't know how many more promises will be made to that select group before the end of the month. interestingly, rishi sunak was asked by one member of the audience whether he had stabbed borisjohnson in the back. people were expressing some of their concerns about the candidates rather than listening to them. they were also cross—examined by a moderator, from lbc, and he asked a question about grammar schools that you mentioned. it looks like we could have grammar schools back right across england, until rishi sunak�*s team clarified it meant expanding them in areas where they already exist, like in kent, for example.

the big game changer was the endorsement of liz truss by ben wallace, the defence secretary. he performed well during the ukraine crisis —— she said she performed well during the ukraine crisis. he might have been more popular with the members in either rishi sunak or liz truss. today he told the bbc the reason for doing so was notjust increased defence spending. liz reason for doing so was not 'ust increased defence spending. liz was someone who _ increased defence spending. liz was someone who had _ increased defence spending. liz was someone who had the _ increased defence spending. liz was someone who had the breadth - increased defence spending. liz was someone who had the breadth of. someone who had the breadth of experience, she had two years in the cabinet _ experience, she had two years in the cabinet and — experience, she had two years in the cabinet and she understands and demonstrates a track record in economics. she has been the trade secretary. — economics. she has been the trade secretary, negotiating trade deals, and then— secretary, negotiating trade deals, and then foreign secretary and we have heeri— and then foreign secretary and we have been together abroad. i have sat side _ have been together abroad. i have

sat side by— have been together abroad. i have sat side by side with her in australia _ sat side by side with her in australia and in the uk. they are great _ australia and in the uk. they are great candidates. rishi sunak would be a great candidates. rishi sunak would he a fine _ great candidates. rishi sunak would be a fine member of any cabinet, they would — be a fine member of any cabinet, they would be lucky to have him, but for me _ they would be lucky to have him, but for me liz_ they would be lucky to have him, but for me liz is— they would be lucky to have him, but for me liz is the one i think will do best— for me liz is the one i think will do best in— for me liz is the one i think will do best in the defence of this nation — do best in the defence of this nation and investing in it and making — nation and investing in it and making sure we get to a point where we can— making sure we get to a point where we can provide that resilience that does _ we can provide that resilience that does have — we can provide that resilience that does have a knock—on effect on the cost of _ does have a knock—on effect on the cost of living. ben does have a knock-on effect on the cost of living-— cost of living. ben wallace saying he liked the _ cost of living. ben wallace saying he liked the sound _ cost of living. ben wallace saying he liked the sound of _ cost of living. ben wallace saying he liked the sound of liz - cost of living. ben wallace saying he liked the sound of liz truss's i he liked the sound of liz truss's commitment to increase defence spending by the end of the decade, but rishi sunak�*s team pointed out that he spent more on defence than anyone else since the end of the cold war. perhaps that was not the only reason ben wallace was endorsing distrust. the time of his comes with military precision because by the time it comes to

september and when conservative party members vote, they will be getting their ballot papers next week. if they vote early, then perhaps for anyone who was undecided, ben wallace was my intervention might help them make up their mind. not every senior conservative agrees with him, far from it. david frost, used to serve in the conservative cabinet, suggest that if they vote for liz truss they would be taking an incredible gamble. ian, you are not going to call it yet, i can see that. ian and all of his colleagues in westminster will be constantly updating the bbc website on that story. climate scientists say the record temperatures of last week would not have been possible without man—made climate change. a global team that included experts from imperial college london and the met office have been running complex weather models since then to establish to what extent greenhouse gas emissions made the heatwave worse. here's our environment

correspondentjonah fisher. the hot weather of early last week was unprecedented, with high temperatures recorded across much of the uk. 40 celsius was felt here for the very first time. 0ur transport network creaked and the heat combined with dry weather to lower water levels and create conditions forfires to spread. for a long time it has been clear that global warming makes heatwaves more frequent and more intense. but, in recent years, there have been big advances in climate modelling, which means scientists are able to look at what is behind specific weather events, like last week's extremely hot few days. climate scientists including experts from imperial college london and the met office, have been working around the clock looking at whether human actions made last week's heatwave worse. we would not have had last week's temperatures

without climate change, that's for sure. so these temperatures are at least two degrees higher than they would have been without climate change, but much likely that the real number is closer to what we see in the observations, which is about four degrees. so climate change absolutely played a really big role. that is with just 1.2 degrees of warming. with global greenhouse gas emissions yet to start falling, even hotter weather and more heatwaves look inevitable. the implications are that if we want to keep a heatwave like this a rare event, we really have to get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions very soon. the current goal is net zero emissions by 2050. to reach it, we are going to have to stop using fossil fuels to run our cars, warm our homes and generate electricity.

now, the bbc�*s weather team has been at the forefront of our coverage of last week's heatwave and the ongoing climate crisis. but this has lead to unprecendented levels of personal abuse and online trolling as people accuse them of �*hysteria' and promoting climate change �*propaganda'. that is telling it politely. i'm joined now merlyn thomas who is a climate change disinformation reporter at the bbc. we are sorry that you and all of your colleagues have received this abuse. some of it cannot be broadcast. where is it coming from? is it coming from misinformation, people believing what they read from tom down the pub?— tom down the pub? there is a real ranue tom down the pub? there is a real range here- _ tom down the pub? there is a real range here- we — tom down the pub? there is a real range here. we have _ tom down the pub? there is a real range here. we have seen - tom down the pub? there is a real range here. we have seen weather forecasters from the bbc weather team, the met office, they are all

getting abusive comments and this peaked during the recent coverage of bbc�*s matt taylor says it is the worst he has seen in nearly 25 years of working in weather, so it is not small by any means. it was triggered when the climate change has been intrinsic to the news story. fine when the climate change has been intrinsic to the news story.- intrinsic to the news story. one of the big lines _ intrinsic to the news story. one of the big lines i _ intrinsic to the news story. one of the big lines i notice _ intrinsic to the news story. one of the big lines i notice on _ intrinsic to the news story. one of the big lines i notice on social - the big lines i notice on social media is, what is all the fuss about? it was hotter in 1979, the big, long hot summer in the 1970s and this is a little bout of hot weather. b. and this is a little bout of hot weather. �* ., and this is a little bout of hot weather. . ., ., , weather. a lot of people were saying this is 'ust weather. a lot of people were saying this isjust like _ weather. a lot of people were saying this is just like the _ weather. a lot of people were saying this isjust like the summer- weather. a lot of people were saying this isjust like the summer of- this is just like the summer of 1976. this is 'ust like the summer of 1976. ' ' . this is 'ust like the summer of 1976. " ~ this is 'ust like the summer of 1976. ~ ,_ this is 'ust like the summer of 1976. ~ ,_ 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then. 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then- this _ 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then- this is— 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then. this is no _ 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then. this is no different _ 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then. this is no different in - 1976. 1976, sorry, i was very young then. this is no different in 1976, l then. this is no different in 1976, when in fact _ then. this is no different in 1976, when in fact we _ then. this is no different in 1976, when in fact we know _ then. this is no different in 1976, when in fact we know this - then. this is no different in 1976, when in fact we know this is - then. this is no different in 1976,

when in fact we know this is not i when in fact we know this is not true. the peak temperature was 4 degrees hotter than 1976 and 1976 was only the 13th hottest day in the uk. other people were saying, get on with it, get a grip. 0thers called the bbc weather team liars, accuse them of spreading propaganda, of being alarmist and causing hysteria. where the teams normally give us advice on how to stay cool, take out advice on how to stay cool, take out a brolly, get some sunscreen on. with the uk heatwave we saw them giving us tips on how to stay safe and a lot of people on social media so that is pandering to the woke brigade. a whole range of abusive comments and many not broadcast above.~ comments and many not broadcast above. ~ , ., , , comments and many not broadcast above. ~ , , , , above. whether people 'ust present the facts, they h above. whether people 'ust present the facts, they just _ above. whether people just present the facts, they just look _ above. whether people just present the facts, they just look at - above. whether people just present the facts, they just look at the - the facts, they just look at the models and tell you what is going on. let's press the reset button for people who doubt it. last summer was

a bit rubbish, the summer before that was lovely, the summer before that was lovely, the summer before that was lovely, the summer before that was not great, now we have had a heatwave and it has only been a few days, but now this is climate change. what is happening that makes you and scientist believe that this is climate change? we you and scientist believe that this is climate change?— you and scientist believe that this is climate change? we know there are links between — is climate change? we know there are links between climate _ is climate change? we know there are links between climate change - is climate change? we know there are links between climate change and - is climate change? we know there are links between climate change and the| links between climate change and the recent events. the met office said this heatwave was made 15 times more worse because of climate change. but this is again, meteorologists are there just to say the fats, and this is something we saw in the pandemic. conspiracy theories abounded about the vaccine and the lockdown and that was about scientists in the public eye. now we are seeing weather forecaster meteorologist at the forefront of that and they are getting that abuse. before that they said they would get angry e—mails from people saying, why did it rain

on my wedding when you said it will be sunny? now we are getting people saying they are a liar, you are saying they are a liar, you are saying propaganda. now there is a link between climate change and extreme weather and the abuse. by torrential rains have killed eight people, including the governor of the american state of kentucky says flash floods caused this is the power of the floods in kentucky. whole homes ripped from their foundations. everything's gone. like, everything is gone. my whole life is gone. we had to swim out and it was cold and it was over my head so, yeah, it was scary. as the waters rose, residents rushed to rooftops, some airlifted to safety. my mum's there and she's got parkinson's and we had to worry about getting her upstairs. with further rain forecast, the state's governor declared a state of emergency in six counties, mobilising the national guard, with officers using boats

to rescue stranded residents. the situation right now is tough. there are a lot of people in eastern kentucky on top of roofs, waiting to be rescued. there are a number of people that are unaccounted for and i'm nearly certain this is a situation where we are going to lose some of them. dozens of people have been rescued and tens of thousands remain without power. the white house says the president has been briefed on the situation, which has also seen severe flooding and mudslides in neighbouring virginia and west virginia. we didn't have no time to get nothing out of our apartment, in the basement. i lost everything, twice — this makes twice that i've lost everything. many parts of kentucky are still struggling after being hit by tornadoes last year and this latest extreme weather, a reminder of the deadly impact of our changing climate. gareth barlow, bbc news.

another reminder of the extreme weather affecting is across the world. scientists think it is because of climate change. let's look at the weather situation for the days ahead. the rain in kentucky has not quite finished, more rain to come over the coming days. some of us need rain across parts of this southern part of the uk. the rain is mainly across the north midlands towards north—east england, outbreaks of rain becoming lighter and pacheco for many. but there will be outbreaks in north—eastern cumbria and scotland. pretty warm in the sunshine, especially to the south and east where we could see temperatures reached 27 or 28 degrees. by the end of the date you a cloud over in western scotland, outbreaks across scotland and north—west england and north and

west wales. further south it stays dry but the big story tonight is it is another warm night on the cards. temperatures higher than recent nights dropping below 15 or 16 for some. muggy start for saturday, cloudy for many with rain in northern ireland and scotland. stays cloudy north midlands, north west wales and for the rain and drizzle turning a bit patchy later on to the south and east. increasing sunshine and pretty warm. you are watching bbc news. a look at the latest headlines... a spectacular start to the commonwealth games in birmingham — as the city celebrates its diversity and history with an action packed opening ceremony. 16 gold medals are up for grabs today. the government has revealed how the £400 pounds of help for rising energy bills, will be paid in england, scotland and wales — there'll be six monthly

installments from october. last week's record temperatures would have been �*almost impossible' if it weren't for man made climate change — according to scientists in a new report. deadly flash floods in kentucky, the governor issues a state of emergency in six counties and says hundreds of people will lose their homes. a nine year—old girl dies after a suspected stabbing in boston in lincolnshire. police launch a murder investigation. the end of the so—called wagatha christie trial — rebecca vardy and colleen rooney will find out today which of them has won their high court libel case. and it's farewell to neighbours afterfour decades — as fans here in the uk prepare for tonight's final episode.

some stars and fantastic events and something new to look out for at the commonwealth games. mike bushell joins us from birmingham. you look like you are enjoying yourself, and rightly so? absolutely, good morning to everybody. victoria square and the reason i am enjoying myself, there is a party going on. fans can gather here if they cannot get tickets and you have zoe ball doing her radio two breakfast show pumping up her radio two breakfast show pumping up the tunes, which is keeping everybody entertained. to show how the sport is really integrated to the sport is really integrated to the heart of the city you have the finishing line for the marathon, that will be tomorrow they will be coming across the finishing line. we have the t20 cricket and the basketball. sport has officially begun at the commonwealth games now in birmingham 2022. the lawn bowls

got under wayjust over an hour ago. these are the round robin matches. new zealand against india. no medals to be run in the lawn bowls for a while, these are the group stage matches which will take place over the next week or so. as for the first medal, that will be the triathlon. the men and women's event starting after 11 o'clock today. so half the usual distance of the triathlon. the men's is first, and alex yee is the favourite after winning the silver medal in tokyo. beth potter is among the field in the women, but she will face a tough challenge from flora duffy from the bahamas. badminton also getting under way, and netball. england beat australia to win the gold four years

ago. the first of the group matches and wales take onjamaica. away from the games, south africa beating them by 58 runs, it was in the second t20 match in cardiff to level the series to one all. there was some big hitting from riley rouseau, who scored 96, as the tourists made 207—3 and england didn't really get going, they were all out for 149. the decider is on sunday. lewis hamilton has described sebastian vettel as a "legend", after the german announced he'll be retiring at the end of the season. vettel won four world titles with red bull and his total of 53 grand prix wins has only been bettered by hamilton and michael schumacher. hamilton praised vettel�*s move towards activism, especially on the climate crisis. the final decision i took yesterday

and i told the team, but leading to that, i have been thinking about it for longer than that. it is a bit strange to look into the unknown and i am also a little bit afraid of what is coming, but i'm looking forward to it and i have made my decision and i am excited to see what is around the corner. there was another major crash in the women's tour de france. remarkably, only one rider had to drop out of the race after the pile up on stage 5, involving around 30 riders. lorena veebers claimed her second stage victory, with marianna vos finishing third to retain the overall lead. 16 gold medals to be run today, look out for the first one in triathlon and the more medals to be won later

on in gymnastics, swimming and cycling down at the london velodrome. but as the tunes continue to pump out at the victoria square, thanks to zoe ball, i will hand back to you, chris. it looks fantastic, much more on the bbc website as well. around 40,000 bt workers are striking today as well as those from the exam board aqa. bt workers are holding their first national strike against real—terms pay cuts. the next strike is on monday. and up to 180 unison members working for aqa are also taking industrial action over pay. as a result, pupils and students waiting for exam results in england, wales and northern ireland could face delays. well, someone who was at a picket line with striking bt and 0penreach workers is the labour mp sam tarry was who sacked as transport minister by sir keir starmer during the rail strike. the labour leader said he was removed for doing interviews "without permission" and "making up

policy on the hoof". left—wing supporters of mr tarry say it was because he joined striking rail workers on a picket line. here is mr tarry speaking earlier today. people working in btr in an outrageous situation where a chief executive had a 32% pay rise and people working in bt call centres are having to have food banks put in situ in the call centres. what is going on at bt is outrageous, out of touch, top executives ramping up their pay and ordering workers for their pay and ordering workers for the union members unable to put food on the table for the kids. share the union members unable to put food on the table for the kids.— on the table for the kids. are you disappointed _ on the table for the kids. are you disappointed no _ on the table for the kids. are you disappointed no members - on the table for the kids. are you disappointed no members of - on the table for the kids. are you disappointed no members of the | disappointed no members of the labour front bench are joining you here on this picket line today? i am here on this picket line today? i am sure there will _ here on this picket line today? i am sure there will be _ here on this picket line today? i —n sure there will be labour members of the front bench across the country actuallyjoining picket lines today. and how do you feel towards the labour leadership in terms of being sacked for what you did earlier this

week? there have been at the members of the front bench he had attended picket lines before, who didn't face the same treatments. i picket lines before, who didn't face the same treatments.— the same treatments. i think it is totally unnecessary _ the same treatments. i think it is totally unnecessary to _ the same treatments. i think it is totally unnecessary to sack - the same treatments. i think it is| totally unnecessary to sack labour mps who are fighting for a labour government on a daily basis and standing in solidarity with workers. the labour party needs to be clear, is it on the side of establishment or is it on the side of british workers. b5 or is it on the side of british workers-— or is it on the side of british workers. . , ., ., ., ., workers. as the factional warfare within the labour— workers. as the factional warfare within the labour party _ workers. as the factional warfare within the labour party at - workers. as the factional warfare within the labour party at play i within the labour party at play here? ., ., , , within the labour party at play here? ., , ., , within the labour party at play here? ., ., , ., , here? there always factions in any .a l here? there always factions in any party. look — here? there always factions in any party. look at _ here? there always factions in any party. look at the _ here? there always factions in any party, look at the conservatives i party, look at the conservatives tearing strips out of themselves about who will be the next prime minister. there are always differences of opinion but we get on and we still are fighting for a general election. but what we need to demonstrate clearly is his side are we on and i'm here to say we are on the side of ordinary working people in this country, cannot afford to put fuel in the cars, cannot pay their bills and afford to, they have to use food banks to

feed their kids. well, the industrial action from bt and aqa has been part of a number of strikes across several industries. royal mail workers have voted to strike, while disputes are brewing over the pay of public sector workers including barristers, teachers and health employees. workers from felixstowe dock and railway company have voted to take strike action at the uk's busiest container port in a dispute over pay. and the rmt and tssa will hold more rail strikes on august 18 and 20, while london underground workers will walk out on august 19th. let's speak now to steven fielding, professor of political history at the university of nottingham. thank you forjoining us. we brought you injust to thank you forjoining us. we brought you in just to look at strikes in the past. there is a lot of talk about a summer of discontent, may be autumn and a winter of discontent. we know what that is like, bins not being emptied, no buses and no

teachers at schools. it is being emptied, no buses and no teachers at schools.— teachers at schools. it is a slow motion winter _ teachers at schools. it is a slow motion winter of _ teachers at schools. it is a slow motion winter of discontent. i teachers at schools. it is a slow. motion winter of discontent. the winter of discontent of 1978, 1979 was about two, three months where up to about 5 million workers went on strike, a lot in the public sector. as you say, the famous iconic images of bins not being emptied, piles and piles of rubbish. in britain already, but in local parts of britain, there are already bins not being collected and haven't been for quite some time. in coventry, for example and in other parts of urban britain. the buses haven't been running in certain parts of the country, too. in liverpool. not on a national scale, like the rail strike which has taken a lot of attention, there are lots of workers across the country facing similar conditions, the play has been suppressed for a decade, conditions of service have

been degenerating. but you may not been degenerating. but you may not be noticing it, but it is on the radar. it is a kind of hidden winter of discontent and it will only get worse. ., , ., ., ~ worse. the images we are talking about are from _ worse. the images we are talking about are from 1917, _ worse. the images we are talking about are from 1917, a _ worse. the images we are talking about are from 1917, a lot - worse. the images we are talking about are from 1917, a lot of - worse. the images we are talking about are from 1917, a lot of the i about are from 1917, a lot of the strikers and unions had a lot of public support and sympathy during that year, despite how inconvenient it all became. is there still that support for unions and strikes today? support for unions and strikes toda ? ., ,. ., support for unions and strikes toda ? ., ,_, .,, today? the winter of discontent was the springboard _ today? the winter of discontent was the springboard for _ today? the winter of discontent was the springboard for margaret - the springboard for margaret thatcher's1979 electoral victory, she said the unions are out of control and the militants had to be brought into hand and there was a bit of public support for that, in actualfact. today, the unions are not as half as important as they were in the 1970s, their membership is half of what it was. we go through an unusual period of union

strike action today. for the last ten years or so, it has almost has been there. in 2017, only 33,000 workers went on strike. this is an unusual recurrence of supposedly union militancy. i think that most people, a survey suggests, most people, a survey suggests, most people understand why workers are going on strike. they all know that most people out there experience it themselves, they have had the condition screeds, wages have been suppressed. when it comes to an actual strike, and i think this rail strike, that inconvenience people, thatis strike, that inconvenience people, that is when the public become a little bit more divided as to whether they want to see strike. lode whether they want to see strike. we have got to end it there, we have run out of time, but many thanks for talking to us, steven fielding, professor of political history.

breaking news, that wayne couzens has lost his appeal for his whole life term for the murder of sarah everard. serving a whole life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of the 32—year—old marketing executive in march 2021. he carried out the killing when he was a serving metropolitan police officer. during the court case we had that three police officers shed grossly offensive whatsapp messages about women and disabled people with him as well. so that is just coming in, wayne couzens has lost his appeal against his whole life term sentence. the former british ambassador to the us, sir christopher meyer, has died suddenly at the age of 78. it's understood he suffered a stroke at his home in france. sir christopher was the uk's ambassador in washington prior

to the invasion of iraq. previously he had been ambassador to germany and had postings to the former soviet union, spain and the european union and also served asjohn major's press secretary the small himalayan nation of nepal has become the first country to keep a promise to double its wild tiger population in the last decade. other species, including rhinos and elephants, have also seen an increase in numbers. rebecca henschke reports. tigers have more than doubled in number in the last ten years here in nepal. it's a victory in a battle to bring them back from the brink of extinction. one of the key factors of nepal's success has been strong enforcement against poaching, and that's involved the military armed units like this one patrol across the park daily. tigers are majestic creatures, you know? being assigned in the protection duties,

it's an honour, you know, it's a privilege to be part of something that is really big. these forests where tigers are now being protected, used to be royal hunting grounds. archive: this is a land whose people have always lived under the menace i of marauding tigers. when queen elizabeth visited nepal in 1961, she took part in a tiger hunt. and yes, there was the tiger. king mahendra had fulfilled a time honoured obligation of a host in nepal and provided the royal party with a tiger to shoot. as a result of hunting, poaching and habitat loss, there's now less than 4,000 tigers in the wild. but here in bardia national park, there are signs of a remarkable recovery. hundreds of cameras hidden as part of a nationwide tiger census.

and when you're analysing the footage, how do you make sure that your count is accurate? translation: just like people have unique fingerprints. _ all tigers have different stripes. that's how we distinguish them and count them. we have seen tiger cubs and also tigers rolling around. it is definitely something to be celebrated. it does not come without the cost. the common area that the tigers and the prey species and the humanity shares is so tight. the community lives in terror. so there is a price that the community has paid for the world to rejoice. and with the news that nepal has successfully doubled its, you know, tiger numbers. this woman lost her mother in law last year. she's one of 16 people killed by a tiger in the last 12 months. translation: during the next few years, more families _ will suffer like me. the number of victims will soar.

ifeel like i'm going crazy. i want to scream into the forest and run. when a tiger kills a human, they're tracked down and taken into captivity. there's seven now behind bars. more number of tigers and more number of people. definitely there's going to be conflict. so it is going to be a challenging job for us to maintain peace between two species. keeping that peace will be key to the successful return of the tigers. rebecca henschke, bbc news, nepal. british fans of long—running australian soap, "neighbours", are preparing to a bid a final farewell to the residents of ramsay street. tonight's double—episode special on channel five will feature many of the stars who made their names on the show — including jason donovan.

in an exclusive interview with our entertainment correspondent colin patterson, he's been sharing his memories of his time on the show. # neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours. when you hear the theme tune, what does it bring up in you? well, it gives me shivers, actually. it was just such a fresh, clean start, you know, and a wonderful opportunity. i mean, the story behind neighbours for me is i auditioned for character called danny ramsay in 1984. and i got the part. the problem was, i was still at my school and needed to finish my, what is the equivalent of gcses. you'd have been young. i was young, i was probably 17 at the time, i auditioned for this character, i got the part and can you imagine if i'd played a ramsay, not a robinson? literally 12 months to the day, i got a phone call to say, would you come and audition for a character called

scott robinson? i guess that was the moment it all sort of, you know, started to fall into place for me. you create your own life but timing is everything. this was such a perfect timing for me. and i was ready and i wanted it. let's take you back in time to the moment you first appeared on screen in neighbours, this is your first scene. how are you this morning, john doe? ok, i guess. all right, i'll bite. you going to tell us your proper name yet? no. look, whatever you did, it couldn't have been that bad. you wouldn't know. your family must be frantic with worry. it's not your business! neighbours came around for me in 1985 initially, and we started filming in �*86, and that was the first scene. here's another crucial part of scott robinson's neighbours career, when he meets charlene mitchell

for the first time. 0h! charlene! you know, that scene particularly was the beginning of great chemistry between the two of us. that went on to other things, you know, that went on to other things. 0ur correspondent shaimaa khalil joins us now from ramsay street, where the soap is set in melbourne. i don't know who your friends are at the bbc, but we are alljealous. it the bbc, but we are alljealous. it just feels so surreal to be here and actually feels like such a privilege to be here on the day that the uk fans get to say goodbye to neighbours. yesterday when australian fans got to say goodbye to the country's longest running

soap, there were smiles, there were laughs. people were screaming at the screen, there were tears when those big stars, including jason donovan and kylie minogue made their comeback on the last episode. it felt so special to be there. it was just as moving to watch the fans as it was watching that last episode. it really felt like a big wave of love and nostalgia for the show. this is what some fans had to say after they watched it. than this is what some fans had to say after they watched it. an absolute treat, old faces _ after they watched it. an absolute treat, old faces mixed _ after they watched it. an absolute treat, old faces mixed with - after they watched it. an absolute treat, old faces mixed with new. i treat, old faces mixed with new. amazing — treat, old faces mixed with new. amazing. it is really nice and feel good, _ amazing. it is really nice and feel good, just— amazing. it is really nice and feel good, just don't think about the fact you — good, just don't think about the fact you were never going to see it again _ fact you were never going to see it aaain. , ., ., . ., again. great, loved it, so nice to see so many _ again. great, loved it, so nice to see so many happy _ again. great, loved it, so nice to see so many happy people - again. great, loved it, so nice to see so many happy people at. again. great, loved it, so nice to| see so many happy people at the again. great, loved it, so nice to - see so many happy people at the end, such a _ see so many happy people at the end, such a happy— see so many happy people at the end, such a happy ending _ see so many happy people at the end, such a happy ending. was _ see so many happy people at the end, such a happy ending. was such - see so many happy people at the end, such a happy ending. was such a - see so many happy people at the end, such a happy ending. was such a big l such a happy ending. was such a big part of— such a happy ending. was such a big part of our— such a happy ending. was such a big part of our lives _ such a happy ending. was such a big part of our lives growing _ such a happy ending. was such a big part of our lives growing up - such a happy ending. was such a big part of our lives growing up in- such a happy ending. was such a big part of our lives growing up in the i part of our lives growing up in the uk in_ part of our lives growing up in the uk in the — part of our lives growing up in the uk in the 80s _ part of our lives growing up in the uk inthe 80s. it— part of our lives growing up in the uk inthe 805. it is— part of our lives growing up in the uk in the 80s.— uk in the 80s. it is such a great show, it should _ uk in the 80s. it is such a great show, it should be _ uk in the 80s. it is such a great show, it should be going - uk in the 80s. it is such a great show, it should be going on - uk in the 80s. it is such a great show, it should be going on for| show, it should be going on for another— show, it should be going on for another 20 years. you could see the mix of emotions,

on one hand people were so happy they got to watch what happens in they got to watch what happens in the end, but really theyjust weren't ready for it to come to a close. you could feel the sadness, it was like saying goodbye to a group of close friends that they lived with for many, many years. so what happens to ramsay street now, is it a real street with families living there, or is itjust a set? funny you should ask that, yes it is a real street. funnily enough it is not called ramsay street, it is called pinock close. i was talking to the real owners behind me, which is the kennedy's home. miles and hillary live there, they bought it a couple of years ago and they moved in just before covid and were locked into ramsay street when covid hit. i was asking them what it was like living on the street, actually

living on the street, actually living on the street, actually living on ramsay street? they were just telling me it was great, they got to go to work and bump into the cast sometimes and she says it's still a novelty to live in a house where people come and visit and take pictures, essentially they are living on a tourist attraction. i living on a tourist attraction. i would hate it, to be honest, but there you go. thank you for that. let's catch up with the weather. from ramsay street to birmingham we 90, from ramsay street to birmingham we go, it is the opening day of action in the commonwealth games. if you are one of the lucky ones to get tickets to any event in birmingham or coventry, a dry day ahead, sunny spells and feeling warm this afternoon. 24, maybe 25 possible and afternoon. 24, maybe 25 possible and a gentle breeze. we have had rain this morning, as you can see, parts of wales, north midlands and into northern england. most of the rain is in the pennines and the e stretching into the north—east and northumberland. 0ne stretching into the north—east and northumberland. one or two showers

south—east of scotland. that rain will fizzle through the dates of turning lighter and patchy and they will be brighter spells. but showers into the afternoon, parts of cumbria, eastern scotland. 0dd isolated one towards the south—west but many will stay dry and a warm day, if not warmer than yesterday, 27/20 8 degrees and across the board, temperatures up. more of southerly breeze. western scotland has a wet night to come across much of scotland, and the rain spreading into the rest of england, north and west wales. further south staying dry. the temperature is, after a fresh a few nights, a mild night tonight, 15, 16 degrees into the start of tomorrow money. the weather fronts, dragging in the airfrom the mid—atlantic so it will be quite humid on saturday. the weather front some cells will mean plenty of cloud. start with heavy rain in shetland and northern ireland. these areas will brighten up to the day

but northern england, far north midlands and north wales will see further rain at times, especially on the hills in the west. a bright afternoon compared with the morning. brightening up to the midlands and southern england with sunny spells and temperatures 26, 20 7 degrees. as we go into saturday night, there will be clearer skies and into scotland and northern ireland, this weather front will be straddling through central areas to begin sunday. parts of northern england, midlands and wales where we see bursts of heavy rain working their way from west to east. the biggest question, how far south you get? southern counties could stay dry but the rain will get close, could get close to wembley for the big match on sunday. but the further north you 90, on sunday. but the further north you go, scotland and northern ireland dry and bright they are not quite as one. compared with the 27 celsius we could see in the south—east. next week, rain at times and gusty winds to begin the north and west. settling down, but for the south, not a huge amount of rain and

staying warm. this is bbc news, these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a spectacular start to the commonwealth games in birmingham. sixteen gold medals are up for grabs today — events including rugby sevens and gymnastics are already under way. resistance to russian occupation — we meet ukraine's shadow army working behind enemy lines. the uk government has revealed how the £400 of help for rising energy bills will be paid in england, scotland and wales. there'll be six monthly instalments from october. last week's record temperatures in the uk would have been almost impossible if it weren't for man made climate change according to scientists in a new report.