this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak and these are the latest headlines... households owe energy companies more money than ever before as bills are set to increase even more in october. ministers will hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the cost of living crisis. four days of extreme weather is forecast in england and wales. it comes as environmental groups say some rivers are starting to dry up — seriously impacting wildlife. the bbc uncovers evidence suggesting the nhs is struggling to return cancer care to pre—pandemic levels in england as more than 10—thousand people wait more than three months to start treatment. rescuers trying to save the life of a beluga whale — stranded in the river seine in france, hoist it to a saltwater

river basin, close to the sea. the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic, the snowman, has died, aged 88. debts owed by consumers to energy suppliers have tripled since last september, according to the comparison service u—switch. almost a quarter of households owe an average of more than 200—pounds to their provider. households are thought to owe £1.3 billion

to their energy suppliers — an all time high. it comes as eon — the energy supplier for six million uk households — announced their global profits in the last six months reached nearly 5.5 billion the debt to energy suppliers has been built up despite accounts normally being in credit during the summer months. eight million households have no credit — so no cushion to fall back on when winter arrives. the estimate comes a couple of months before bills are set to soar again. the price cap — the maximum amount energy companies can charge — currently stands atjust under £2000 per year, but it's expected to go up to around £3,500 from the beginning of october and even further in january. energy companies such as bp, shell and centrica, which owns british gas, have announced big profits because of the global price of oil and gas. some of those profits will be

subjected to a windfall tax introduced this year by the government. we can speak richard neudegg, director of regulation at uswitch. thank you forjoining us. i wonder if you could take us through how you came to that really quite worrying figure. we came to that really quite worrying fiaure. ~ , ., figure. we tracked the levels of credit and _ figure. we tracked the levels of credit and debt _ figure. we tracked the levels of credit and debt customers - figure. we tracked the levels of credit and debt customers are l figure. we tracked the levels of i credit and debt customers are in, figure. we tracked the levels of - credit and debt customers are in, we do so with surveys and track and see what customers tell us about their accounts. normally you expect in summer where we do not use much energy,, by spreading direct debit payments across the year you build

up payments across the year you build up attrition and when winter comes along the direct debit does not

there must be questions about what happens at the top of the value chain for wholesale energy providers and what happens with the windfall tax but also it comes down to the government. the increase is happening because of the government's price cap that often has to set of the formula is producing the numbers because of the big changes in wholesale. the thing that's really needed here is direct support to customers that as

possible of that increase. richard neude: . possible of that increase. richard neudegg of— possible of that increase. richard neudegg of uswitch, _ possible of that increase. richard neudegg of uswitch, thank - possible of that increase. richard neudegg of uswitch, thank you . possible of that increase. richard | neudegg of uswitch, thank you for your time. neudegg of uswitch, thank you for yourtime. our neudegg of uswitch, thank you for your time. our business reporter joins me now. lovely to see you, it is a really worrying time, and we haven't even got to the announcement and winter yet. it is haven't even got to the announcement and winter yet-— and winter yet. it is a really worrying — and winter yet. it is a really worrying time _ and winter yet. it is a really worrying time for _ and winter yet. it is a really i worrying time for households, particularly after the prediction we had yesterday talking about energy bills potentially hitting more than £4000 a year from january, that's double from where they are currently. and today we're hearing that many households are falling behind on their energy payments before the huge rise even comes in. as we were hearing the comparison site uswitch has said they have done this survey that total debt owed is three times it was in september last year so they say a households now owe around £206 on average so they advise that you should be speaking to your providers to work out a more affordable plan.

the government for its part says it has continually taken action to try and support households with these rising bills, including a £400 discount for households in england, scotland and wales to help with those bills from this coming autumn. but they are coming under pressure to do more. the consumer champion martin lewis has said it is a zombie government, he says they need to wake up and put together a plan immediately, and this morning the boss of octopus energy said he thought the government need to improve the offer of £400 which is on the table, calling for more to be done. as you were saying, there is a meeting taking place between ministers and energy giants tomorrow. so we will be waiting to see what is heard there.— tomorrow. so we will be waiting to see what is heard there. thank you ve much see what is heard there. thank you very much for— see what is heard there. thank you very much for that. _ our political correspondent nick eardley is at our westminster studio. hello, nick. iworrying hello, nick. i worrying times for households listening to these figures, these warnings. what are

the tory candidates, the candidates for the leadership, saying on the matter? where do they stand? goad matter? where do they stand? good mornin: , matter? where do they stand? good morning, burak. _ matter? where do they stand? (13cm morning, burak. everyone is saying we need to deal with the energy price crisis but nothing is being done. that's because the leadership contest is ongoing, number 10 says it cannot make big fiscal decisions. tomorrow the chancellor nadhim zahawi is hauling in the bosses of energy companies to talk to them about their extraordinary profits, to see what else can be done, but it is not clear to me that he is actually going to do much at all, because the message from the treasury is that they want to look at options, but that it will be for the next prime minister to make the decisions on those options. so we are potentially four weeks away from the big decisions being made by government. so where are we with the

two leadership candidates. rishi sunak is saying that he will give more support based roughly on what he did earlier this year back in may when grants were announced to help with energy bills. but what is not clear is how much money rishi sunak is prepared to put on the table and who exactly is going to get it. because although his team say yes, we are using the framework for earlier this year, rishi sunak says the money which sounds like it is only going to be for some people, whereas the package earlier this year was universal and went to everybody. so i think rishi sunak will be under pressure to spell out a bit more about zaki what he's talking about. liz truss has been really reluctant, actually, to engage with the idea whether she is going to come up with an emergency support package if she is prime minister. —— a bit more about exactly. she said she would have an emergency budget if she

takes office and would look at it then but there is a question about whether that position would hold. her supportjames cleverly said this morning, he is the education secretary by the way, he said she is looking at packages for the most vulnerable. but liz truss herself hasn't said that and her team say she isn't committing to anything at the moment. butjames cleverly she isn't committing to anything at the moment. but james cleverly was pushed this morning on the today programme on the wider question of what the government is going to do, what the government is going to do, what it can do over the next month. have a listen. the what it can do over the next month. have a listen-— have a listen. the chancellor and business secretary _ have a listen. the chancellor and business secretary are _ have a listen. the chancellor and business secretary are meeting l have a listen. the chancellor and i business secretary are meeting with the energy companies tomorrow, that is us doing _ the energy companies tomorrow, that is us doing something. we have a support— is us doing something. we have a support package that is in place. we recognise _ support package that is in place. we recognise that global events are pushing — recognise that global events are pushing global prices up and that is having _ pushing global prices up and that is having a _ pushing global prices up and that is having a real—world impact on people around _ having a real—world impact on people around the _ having a real—world impact on people around the country, and that is concerning _ around the country, and that is concerning to them. and we are absolutely— concerning to them. and we are absolutely doing something about it. but you've _ absolutely doing something about it. but you've got to remember that a major—

but you've got to remember that a major fiscal event, and addressing this would — major fiscal event, and addressing this would require that, needs to be done _ this would require that, needs to be done properly through parliament. liz has _ done properly through parliament. liz has committed to do that as soon as we _ liz has committed to do that as soon as we get— liz has committed to do that as soon as we get back in september and well ahead _ as we get back in september and well ahead of— as we get back in september and well ahead of the price cap and lifting in october. but ahead of the price cap and lifting in october-— in october. but there are many sa inc, in october. but there are many saying. look. — in october. but there are many saying, look, that's _ in october. but there are many saying, look, that's just - in october. but there are many saying, look, that's just too - in october. but there are many l saying, look, that'sjust too late. saying, look, that's just too late. we have had martin lewis, the consumer champion, saying this morning that action needs to be taken now. we have the liberal democrats saying that the october price can rise it should be scrapped completely and that there should be an extension to the current windfall tax to pay for that. labour are saying that action needs to be taken, although they have not spilled out specifics yet. they are saying they will do that next week. and all the while, as you rightly point out, a lot of people are really worried about what's happening to bills and worried about what the government can and will do to help with it. but it looks like

the specifics of support are a few weeks away yet. the specifics of support are a few weeks away yet-— the specifics of support are a few weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, thank ou weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, thank you very _ weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, thank you very much _ weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, thank you very much for _ weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, thank you very much for that. - weeks away yet. ok, nick eardley, l thank you very much for that. thank you. let's speak to conor d'arcy, head of research and policy, money and mental health policy institute, a charity founded by consumer expert martin lewis. thank you forjoining us. i wondered if we could start first of all, please, what are you hearing from customers in of the panic, because we are hearing about anxiety, despair. what are you hearing? it is unfortunately _ despair. what are you hearing? it 3 unfortunately a really common picture we have been hearing about. we did some polling earlier in the summer asking people how the recent rises in the cost of living had affected their mental health and three and five people even back then said it had a negative impact and one in five said they had already felt unable to cope. i think what we find, unfortunately, often money and

mental health make this really toxic cycle where when your finances are not good that causes you stress, maybe you don't sleep as well, over time that can build up to be a mental health problem and when your mental health problem and when your mental health problem and when your mental health isn't great it makes it so much harder to say, do budgeting, to reach out for help from the places that can support you and you end up in a more difficult position overall, so it is really tough times for lots of people at the moment. it tough times for lots of people at the moment-— tough times for lots of people at the moment. it is interesting you sa that the moment. it is interesting you say that because _ the moment. it is interesting you say that because the _ the moment. it is interesting you say that because the national - the moment. it is interesting you - say that because the national energy action have also been speaking about this and they outright said that none of our little tips about coping are working any more. so how should people be managing their mental health? , , ~' ,, people be managing their mental health? , , ,, ., health? firstly i think if you are struggling. _ health? firstly i think if you are struggling, financially - health? firstly i think if you are struggling, financially there - health? firstly i think if you are struggling, financially there are organisations out there who can help, if energy bills are a concern, national energy action are a good place to turn to add more broadly for debts places like citizens advice and step change can help find

a path. talking to providers, creditors who might be energy companies, banks or credit cards, because they can offer options, reduced tariffs and packages that can make it that little bit easier, and i think if your mental health is struggling, your gp is a good person to turn to. but resources like samaritan's and mind where people can get that support also. {line samaritan's and mind where people can get that support also.— can get that support also. one of the hardest _ can get that support also. one of the hardest things _ can get that support also. one of the hardest things is _ can get that support also. one of the hardest things is reaching - can get that support also. one of| the hardest things is reaching out for help. you have talked through some of the places you can go to bed many people don't realise that they need their help, it's the biggest step to take. have you noticed how people are changing their financial behaviour is at the moment and what is likely to happen?— is likely to happen? unfortunately we have seen _ is likely to happen? unfortunately we have seen people _ is likely to happen? unfortunately we have seen people cut - is likely to happen? unfortunately we have seen people cut back - is likely to happen? unfortunately we have seen people cut back on | is likely to happen? unfortunately l we have seen people cut back on all sorts of ways. some ons research last week found that 16 million people have already in some way cut back on food and essentials. this is one where if you are having to make a really difficult trade—offs, if you're not eating as much, it is not so much of a problem in the summer but if you're not giving your house

warm it obviously isn't going to help your mental health, so i think thatis help your mental health, so i think that is why it is so important, it is not going to be the solution to everything but firms being really proactive and getting in touch with all their customers to say if you are struggling, please do get in touch with us, there are things that we can do i think is so important to make it that bit easier for people to get in touch. i also think when making sure that staff understand the impacts that mental health problems can have on you, make sure they are properly trained to really try and use the most of this window of opportunity we have now to prevent the cost of living crisis from becoming a mental health crisis. ., , , , from becoming a mental health crisis. ., , , crisis. finally, very quickly, you mentioned _ crisis. finally, very quickly, you mentioned that _ crisis. finally, very quickly, you mentioned that staff _ crisis. finally, very quickly, you mentioned that staff are - crisis. finally, very quickly, you. mentioned that staff are trained. are there proper resources for mental health care out there? i think in energy companies and banks and others the picture varies, to be honest. we work and lots with firms to try and improve their offer. this is a tough time on staff as well when you are having to listen all the time to people in really

difficult circumstances. so i think firms are able to help and it is best for people to get in touch with their providers if they are struggling. but there is always room for improvement there. or understanding of the way that money and mental health problems link up is really important.— is really important. conor d'arcy, head of research _ is really important. conor d'arcy, head of research and _ is really important. conor d'arcy, head of research and policy - is really important. conor d'arcy, head of research and policy at - is really important. conor d'arcy, | head of research and policy at the money and mental health odyssey institute, thank you very much. we have some breaking news on bbc news from france. it has been reported by police and airport sources that police and airport sources that police officers have shot and killed a man who was brandishing a knife at the charles de gaulle airportjust outside of paris, that was earlier today. just to reiterate what has been said on twitter, the official police twitter account officers neutralised a threatening individual in possession of a knife at the charles de gaulle airport and a source at the airport said that the incident occurred at terminal two f,

described as busy, at around 8:20am local time, that's france time, when a homeless man they are describing started bothering security agents and border police were called in to remove him. we understand that homeless man was shot and he was killed as he was brandishing a knife. so that is all we have at the moment. that is news coming to us from paris in france at the large national charles de gaulle airport. another top story at the moment is the weather we are enduring at the moment. the met office has issued a four—day amber extreme heat warning. it applies to southern and central england and parts of wales from midnight on thursday until sunday. it's not expected to be as hot

or last as long as last month's record heatwave but there's a warning that vulnerable people's health could be affected and travel could be disrupted. environmental groups say the dry weather in much of england is having a serious impact on wildlife in rivers. they're particularly concerned about chalk rivers and streams, which support species such as salmon, kingfisher and otter. some are starting to dry up. water companies say hosepipe bans are put in place to help protect river habitats. let's now speak to our reporter alexis green who is at a nature reserve in hampshire. alexis, it looks reasonably ok behind you at the moment. what is going on there in terms of the news i'vejust mentioned? taste going on there in terms of the news i've just mentioned?— i've just mentioned? we are seeing river levels — i've just mentioned? we are seeing river levels pretty _ i've just mentioned? we are seeing river levels pretty low _ i've just mentioned? we are seeing river levels pretty low like - i've just mentioned? we are seeing river levels pretty low like this - river levels pretty low like this one in the neon valley, we had surbiton at the saint clair�*s nature reserve just east of southampton. this is a chalk river running south

through the meon valley. there are around 200 chalk river is in the world but 85% of those in the world are in southern and eastern england and they all rely on rainfall to replenish themselves. as we know it has been very dry recently, this year has been record—breaking in terms of dry conditions and we are not expecting any significant rainfall for the rest of the week. my rainfall for the rest of the week. my colleague has been around a chalk rivers in hampshire to find out why the low river levels are affecting wildlife. you can normally swim in this part of the river anton, but now water levels are so low, you can wade across. and you can tell from the cool, clear water, we're in a chalk river — a rare and beautiful place that's home to wildlife such as trout, otters and kingfishers. how precious is this habitat, and how do we better protect this river and the wildlife in it? this habitat is really precious, and that's because it has been filtered through this chalk and then comes out

very cool and clear. we see these beautiful river ecosystems. we've seen some trout today. i've also seen grayling here. there are salmon in some of our chalk streams, as well. this is our barrier reef or our amazon rainforest. the wildlife here is already stressed as a result of the hotter temperatures, and their habitat is shrinking as the water levels are getting lower and lower. we don't want them to go any lower than they are now. at this nature reserve in winchester, on the banks of the river itchen, wildlife is already feeling the impact of the dry, hot weather and low river flows. less water means outside of the rivers and even on the edges of those rivers,

vegetation suffers, and that's a food source for things. the invertebrate communities then suffer and then everything above that suffers. so your food resources just really are getting lower and lower. the fish, they�* re affected by the invertebrates and the loss of them, and then you've got things like the otter and stuff, as well, which are going to struggle as well if they can't find food, or if they don't have deep water to fish in. the water company southern water, which supplies parts of hampshire, says the hosepipe ban is designed to protect rivers such as the itchen, where it extracts water. but the rivers trust says we need to think more strategically about how to cope when dry, hot summers become the norm. we want to see government and the water companies responding in a coordinated way. this hot spell and this prolonged dry period is a pressure test for us now to get ready for the long haul, because we're going to be seeing many more summers like this in years to come. and with no end to the dry weather in sight, the pressure on britain's chalk rivers is likely to worsen. helen briggs, bbc news, hampshire.

it is no surprise water companies are putting in restrictions, thames water is the latest water company to say they will put in restrictions as of yesterday in the coming weeks but the exact date of that has not been given. we do know that water levels are very low, as you heard in that report from helen, and other water companies around the region, and in fact around the south, are putting in restrictions. already we have seen the isle of man putting in restrictions as of last week. we have southern water, they put in restrictions last friday and that's for hampshire and the isle of wight. and south—eastern water will put in restrictions as of this friday, the 12, in kent and sussex. as i said, water level is very low right across the south—east, especially for chalk rivers, affecting wildlife. southern water have said that for this region rivers such as this, the river meon in the meon valley are 25% lower

than what they should be, which is roughly 25 bathtubs worth more 25 million bathtubs worth of water. studio: 0k, thank million bathtubs worth of water. studio: ok, thank you. shocking figures. concern for everyone. thank you. to america. donald trump has released a campaign—style video hinting that he'll run for president again — a day after his florida home was raided by the fbi. several leading republicans, including former vice president mike pence, have condemned the search. chi chi izundu reports from florida. last night dinner with about a dozen republican party members, show solidarity from donald trump's party. unprecedented in how this was inspired because no other united states former president has had their homes searched by the fbi.

whilst he wasn't here at mar—a—lago and had nothing to say to the cameras, donald trump took the time to express exactly how he felt in a lengthy statement, calling the presence of fbi agents at his house a raid, a siege of his home, not necessary or appropriate, and condemned the process as prosecutorial misconduct. this is mar—a—lago, donald trump's primary residence and where the fbi executed its search warrant. to my left are trump supporters who are here to vocalise their support for donald trump and his potential to run for president in 2024. the trump and his potential to run for president in 2024.— president in 2024. the american eo - le president in 2024. the american people are _ president in 2024. the american people are awake. _ president in 2024. the american people are awake. we _ president in 2024. the american people are awake. we are - president in 2024. the american people are awake. we are not i president in 2024. the american - people are awake. we are not woke, we are awake and we know what's going on. it was a fishing expedition.— going on. it was a fishing exedition. ~ ., ., , ., , ., expedition. we have to stand up for our ri . hts expedition. we have to stand up for our rights and _ expedition. we have to stand up for our rights and our _ expedition. we have to stand up for our rights and our freedoms - expedition. we have to stand up for| our rights and our freedoms because they are _ our rights and our freedoms because they are being eroded. what our rights and our freedoms because they are being eroded.— they are being eroded. what the fbi were looking — they are being eroded. what the fbi were looking for _ they are being eroded. what the fbi were looking for they _ they are being eroded. what the fbi were looking for they haven't - were looking for they haven't detailed. but according to eric trump it is related to the removal

of official documents from the white house after his father left the office. ~ ., ., house after his father left the office. ~ . ., ., ., . office. we are a nation in decline. never one — office. we are a nation in decline. never one to _ office. we are a nation in decline. never one to miss _ office. we are a nation in decline. never one to miss an _ office. we are a nation in decline. | never one to miss an opportunity, this news usefulfor never one to miss an opportunity, this news useful for trump to push his supporters for more donations. this search has continued to fan the flames of division with the democrats saying that no one is above the law and the republicans branding it political. come november, though, voters will be heading back to the polls for the midterm elections. there are murmurs that this action by the fbi could in fact have actually boosted support for donald trump. chi chi izundu, bbc news. the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic, the snowman, has died. he was 88. raymond briggs' story about a boy — whose snowman came to life — was adored by millions and became a fixture of british television at christmas. david sillito reports.

it's become part of christmas — the snowman that comes to life. magical, heart—warming and, at the end, the snowman melts. # we're walking in the air #. a very raymond briggs twist. he was a children's author who wasn't really writing for children. oh, strip cartoon, raymond briggs — children's department. that's been the attitude in england now — a strip cartoon, children's book. but we're growing out of that a bit now, about half a century too late. it was his father christmas that was raymond briggs' breakthrough. but this was no jovial gift bearer. this father christmas moaned, swore and drankjust a bit too much. what i normally do with most of my things is have something that's fantastical, like father christmas, like fungus, and imagine it to be wholly real and follow it through logically from there. it's a fouljob, out

all night on your own, flying about in icy temperatures, landing on rooftops, going down filthy chimneys. can you imagine climbing down a chimney not once, but hundreds of times. he's going to be fed up with it. the bogeymen are stirring in their beds. fungus the bogeyman was a beautifully drawn celebration of snot and farting. fungus with his wife, mildew, and their son, mould, breakfasts on flaked corns, gripe nits and leech—flavoured yuk. raymond briggs studied at the slade school of art. he'd worked in advertising, and hated it. he illustrated children's books, but he didn't like the saccharine stories. he was much happier with cartoons that had a little darkness to them. take when the wind blows — a story of a couple's attempts to follow government advice in a nuclear attack. i've never heard such language in all my life. for god's sake, shut up! oh, dear, i've left the oven on! get in, get in, get in! the cake will be burned!

lie down. come on, dear. get in. oh, i don't like to. i've still got my pinny on. and then ethel and ernest, which, like many of his works, was adapted for the screen. but £825, can we afford that mortgage business? it was a depiction of the life and death of a couple. ethel, his mother, a lady's maid. ernest, his father, a milkman. good morning, madam. just you keep off my clean step, young man. ijust felt my mum and dad were in the room. i spent the whole two days of recording in tears. you know, just, i thought there they were, i kept almost looking round to see how daddy... when he began, his comic art was frowned on by his art teachers. by the end, raymond briggs had done much to change attitudes with those charming drawings and their slightly subversive stories.

raymond briggs, who has died at the age of 88. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again, over the next few days and nights, temperatures are going to climb and it will be dry for most of us as well. you can see today a lot of dry weather, sunshine, sunnier in the south—west before a weather front introduces thicker cloud and some spots of rain and gusty winds. temperatures 16—19 but widely we are looking in the mid 20s to the low 30s. from tomorrow until sunday, the met office has an amber extreme heat warning in force for much of england and also east wales. although you cannot see it, it also includes the isle of —— the isle of wight. it may affect you if you are

vulnerable and also transport. on thursday, dry weather and a lot of sunshine when we lose the mist in the morning but more rain coming in across the north and west. cooler here but tomorrow's top temperatures getting up to 32, 33, possibly 36. hello. this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak and these are the headlines: households owe energy companies more money than ever before as bills are set to increase even more in october. ministers will hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the cost of living crisis. four days of extreme weather is forecast in england and wales. it comes as environmental groups say some rivers are starting to dry up — seriously impacting wildlife. the bbc uncovers evidence suggesting the nhs is struggling to return cancer care to pre—pandemic levels in england as more than 10,000

people wait more than three months to start treatment. rescuers trying to save the life of a beluga whale — stranded in the river seine in france — hoist it to a saltwater river basin, close to the sea. and the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic the snowman, has died, aged 88. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. good morning and hello everyone. serena williams says she is to evolve away from tennis after the us open. emma radek arno saw the preparations for the defence of her title hit by a heavy defeat at the canada open. it came against the italian who took the first set after

a tie—break. she took 17 points in a row at one point. the british number one is yet to get past the quarterfinals in any competition since she won her maiden slam last year in sensational style at flushing meadows. meanwhle, dan evans, jack draper and cameron norrie all through — norrie, the wimbledon semi finalist, beat american brandon nakashima and will face dutchman botic van de zandschulp later today in the second round. andy murray's tournamnet though is over after he was beaten in the first round by taylor fritz. well, that comes as serena williams says she will evelove away from tenis after the year's final grand slam, suggesting she's ready to retire. the 23 time champion told vogue's september issue that she never liked the word "retirement" but that the best word to describe what she's up to is evolution, evolving away from tennis. she says she will play at the us open later this month. there were hints when she spoke to the media this week

at the canadian open after winning herfirst singles match in over a year. i guess there isjust i guess there is just a i guess there isjust a light i guess there is just a light at the end of the tunnel!— end of the tunnel! laughter what is that _ end of the tunnel! laughter what is that like? _ end of the tunnel! laughter what is that like? i _ end of the tunnel! laughter what is that like? i don't - end of the tunnel! laughter | what is that like? i don't know, end of the tunnel! laughter - what is that like? i don't know, i'm caettin what is that like? i don't know, i'm getting closer _ what is that like? i don't know, i'm getting closer to — what is that like? i don't know, i'm getting closer to the _ what is that like? i don't know, i'm getting closer to the light. - what is that like? i don't know, i'm getting closer to the light. so, - getting closer to the light. so, yeah, lately, that's been it for me, i can't wait to get to that light. i know you are joking... i i can't wait to get to that light. i know you are joking. .. i am - i can't wait to get to that light. i know you are joking... i am not| know you are 'oking... i am not 'okina. know you are 'oking... i am not joking. what — know you are joking... i am not joking. what does _ know you are joking... i am not joking. what does the - know you are joking... i am not joking. what does the light - joking. what does the light represent _ joking. what does the light represent to _ joking. what does the light represent to you? - joking. what does the light. represent to you? freedom, joking. what does the light - represent to you? freedom, yeah. i love playing. _ represent to you? freedom, yeah. i love playing, though. _ represent to you? freedom, yeah. i love playing, though. it's _ represent to you? freedom, yeah. i love playing, though. it's amazing l love playing, though. it's amazing but, you know, it's like i can't do this for ever.— but, you know, it's like i can't do this for ever. and what a career it has been- — she first won wimbledon at the age of 20, that was 20 years ago, beating her sister venus. her first grand slam came as a 17 year old at the us open in 1999. earlier, i spoke to the former

british number onejo durie says there'll never be a player quite like her. custard we have all seen and heard her roar, the commands when you think she is in an impossible situation in a match and somehow, her personality, her emotions get her through. you know, herserve, her emotions get her through. you know, her serve, the best ever in women's tennis. 23 grand slams. she was searching so badly for that 24th, 25th may be, that is what she wanted to have, the absolute record, but couldn't quite do it. sometimes she wanted it so badly, she couldn't quite play. she wanted it so badly, she couldn't uuite -la . she wanted it so badly, she couldn't auite-la. , quite play. there were opportunities that they came _ quite play. there were opportunities that they came and _ quite play. there were opportunities that they came and went, _ quite play. there were opportunities that they came and went, didn't - that they came and went, didn't they? can you believe we're already talking european football, despite the season having only just started. rangers beat union saint—gilloise, coming from 2—0 behind from the first leg, to win 3—0 at ibrox.

the win the tie 3—2 on aggregate for a chance to play in this season's champions league. james tavernier, antonio colak and malik tillman scored the goals — they'll now meet psv in a play—off for the right to play in the group stages. and it was a rivalry that dominated british boxing in the early '90s — the fued between nigel benn and chris eubank, and now — 30 years later — their sons — conor benn and chris eubank junior, are set to meet at london's o2 arena. eubank and benn senior fought twice, with eubank winning the first fight in 1990 and the second, three years later, ending in a split decision draw. their iconic rivalry generated huge interest, with more than 15 million people watching that rematch on tv. their sons will meet for the first time on october 8th — with eubankjunior saying it's the biggest fight of his career. huge anticipation for that one when you consider the history that their

dads shared in the ring as well. that is all from me for now, back to you. thank you very much. the bbc has seen evidence that the nhs in england is struggling to return cancer care to pre—pandemic levels. the government has promised to get back to the target of treating 85% of urgent referrals within 62 days, but leaked figures seen by bbc newsnight suggest that long waits are growing. routine screening was cancelled during the pandemic. david grossman reports. relaxing. relaxing, it is that. get a nice walk in, it's all flat, isn't it? caroline bolton is on the right, out walking with her partner, wendy. caroline has stage four breast cancer. that means the disease has spread to other parts of her body. it's all the more heartbreaking for caroline and her family because had she received swift treatment, statistics suggest she could have expected a far better outcome.

when i first found the lump, it was only a pea size. by the time i got to see the consultant, it was the size of a tangerine. caroline believes that routine screening would have picked up her condition. i had my mammogram booked in for the end of march 2020 and, obviously, covid lockdown happened and it got cancelled. i then had it rescheduled for november 2020. again, the second lockdown happened, the mammogram got cancelled again. i kept trying to rebook and couldn't even get through the telephone line to even rebook it. she believes the nhs never caught up with her fast—growing cancer. it's delays, delays, delays. and the thing with cancer, it needs to be immediate. the nhs has two main cancer targets. two weeks from when the gp suspects

a patient has cancer to them being seen in hospital. in caroline's case, it was three weeks. and then 62 days from that urgent referral from the gp to the beginning of treatment — this was met in caroline's case. figures leaked to the health service journal and seen by newsnight show that there are 327,000 people on the national cancer waiting list. more than 38,500, or about 12%, have been waiting longer than 62 days to start treatment from their first gp referral. that's actually within what the government says is acceptable. but drilling into the unpublished leaked figures, we find that more than 10,000 of them have been waiting longer than 104 days, more than three months, to start treatment. that's doubled since lastjune. in my opinion, that's far too long. and no european country tolerates a two—month delay, knowing you have cancer, to start treatment. in the states you would start suing

people if you were made to wait two months routinely. so something's got to change there. this is the worst cancer crisis of my lifetime. and as the figures are going to show, the waits for cancer treatment are the worst they've ever been, and they're getting worse. and there's no real way that we can catch up. but behind those figures, of course, are individual patients and their families, for whom every day of delay is torture. even if, as in caroline's case, the treatment target was hit. you're living with this cancer is spreading. and you're waiting for results and then you get to a result and then they're not doing anything more. you're stuck waiting for another scan and another result, and you're not getting any treatment or help. i shouldn't be now stage four with given two years left to live.

the actual treatment itself... so what should we do now? the government responded in february, promising a new ten—year cancer plan. we need a new national war on cancer. this is a key weapon in any such war. a state—of—the—art radiotherapy machine. it can target a precise beam of radiation on a tumour as small as half a millimetre across. according to those who run britain's radiotherapy departments, not nearly enough nhs patients have access to treatment from machines like this. newsnight�*s seen a letter that they've written to the secretary of state for health, warning of a system in crisis with out—of—date equipment and staff who are, quote, on their knees with overwork. soundbites won't do this. we need investment and we need more workforce. and we need to give the workforce the tools they need and get rid of bureaucracy. and this is an absolute crisis.

for patients like caroline, targets mean little now. not finding out she had cancer early enough to make a difference, she says, has robbed her of herfuture. that report was by david grossman. i am joined now by sarah quinlan, the charity director of radiotherapy uk. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i wonder if i could double—check, are you a signatory to the letter that we just heard about in that report? that the letter that we 'ust heard about in that report?— in that report? that is from the heads of the — in that report? that is from the heads of the therapy _ in that report? that is from the i heads of the therapy department, in that report? that is from the - heads of the therapy department, i am the head of the charity radiotherapy uk.— am the head of the charity radiotherapy uk. am the head of the charity radiothera- uk. . ., ., a' am the head of the charity radiothera- uk. . . ., .~ ., radiotherapy uk. what do you make of the letter, radiotherapy uk. what do you make of the letter. do — radiotherapy uk. what do you make of the letter. do you _ radiotherapy uk. what do you make of the letter, do you agree _ radiotherapy uk. what do you make of the letter, do you agree without? - the letter, do you agree without? yes, we do. it is entirely what we are seeing happening on the and that we know is happening within radiotherapy across the uk. what we are seeing is that there is a cancer

crisis and there needs to be radical transformation in order to address this. within these 62 day waits and the 10,000 patients who are waiting over hundred and four days, this is incredible difficult because what we know is every four weeks delay of cancer treatment reduces cancer survival by 10%. so this is one of the most deadliest wait lists that the most deadliest wait lists that the nhs have and what this looks like in radiotherapy is that our incredibly committed and dedicated workforce are working in an environment where 50% of the trusts are using equipment that is out of date. new innovations and technologies are not being able to be implemented within the trusts and also these teams are operating under

bureaucratic targets and financially incentivised the trusts to have patients visiting for more treatments rather than less, more complex treatments which actually will improve the patient�*s outcome. so there is a crisis here. we need this crisis to be acknowledged and we need there to be radical overhaul of what is currently happening. because what we are seeing is patients like caroline who are going to be, unfortunately, dying early and that is entirely avoidable if we can get it right now. so and that is entirely avoidable if we can get it right now.— and that is entirely avoidable if we can get it right now. so what is the number-one _ can get it right now. so what is the number-one priority _ can get it right now. so what is the number-one priority first? - can get it right now. so what is the number-one priority first? from i can get it right now. so what is the. number-one priority first? from the number—one priority first? from the sounds of it, it sounds like the factors behind this growing delay is the out date equipment and the staff not having the support. as has been described there, on their knees. so how did you start to fix it?- how did you start to fix it? within radiotherapy. _ how did you start to fix it? within radiotherapy, what _ how did you start to fix it? within radiotherapy, what that - how did you start to fix it? within radiotherapy, what that looks - how did you start to fix it? within | radiotherapy, what that looks like is a very modest investment within

workforce capacity and new technologies and innovations that are currently being implemented in other countries across europe. i think it is quite startling and people may be very shocked to know that the international standard for access to radiotherapy is at 50% and 50% of cancer patients should be able to access it. and there is a massive gulf between the cancer care and treatment for patients across europe who are able to access it done those in the uk. we are looking for investment in workforce, within technologies and innovation but ultimately what this really needs is leadership. what we need is the secretary of state to understand and acknowledge that this is a massive cancer crisis. and we need him to speak to the experts on the front line who know what to do. they need

to be given the tools to deliver and implement change which will improve survival outcomes for cancer patients. survival outcomes for cancer patients-— survival outcomes for cancer tatients. ~ . ,, , . patients. what has stephen barclay said on the matter _ patients. what has stephen barclay said on the matter of _ patients. what has stephen barclay said on the matter of cancer - patients. what has stephen barclay said on the matter of cancer care i said on the matter of cancer care until now?— until now? we're still waiting on the ten year _ until now? we're still waiting on the ten year cancer _ until now? we're still waiting on the ten year cancer plan, - until now? we're still waiting on the ten year cancer plan, which | the ten year cancer plan, which previous secretary of state had said the war on cancer. so we haven't heard much currently from the current secretary of state about this and we are not really sure what is happening with the ten year cancer plan either. find is happening with the ten year cancer plan either.— is happening with the ten year cancer plan either. and when you talk about equipment _ cancer plan either. and when you talk about equipment that - cancer plan either. and when you talk about equipment that is - cancer plan either. and when you talk about equipment that is out| cancer plan either. and when you i talk about equipment that is out of date and the general tech and innovation is, how out of date? 50 innovation is, how out of date? ’sr radiotherapy, innovation is, how out of date? 5r radiotherapy, the machine shown in your piece with caroline, they should be up to ten years, they need to be replaced every ten years. we are aware of some trusts which have equipment which is up to 16 years. 0k, equipment which is up to 16 years. ok, i'm afraid we have to leave it

there. thank you very much indeed. more now on the extreme heat weather warning that has been issued for this week. the current dry period is putting huge pressure on sustaining rivers, farms and wildlife. let's speak now to martin lines who is a farmer and chair of the nature friendly farming network. a very good morning to you. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. so what sort of pressures i wonder? the field behind you looks dry. it looks straw like. is that significant?— looks straw like. is that sitnificant? , , , ., ., looks straw like. is that sitnificant? , , ., ., significant? yes, this is one of our meadows where _ significant? yes, this is one of our meadows where we _ significant? yes, this is one of our meadows where we should - significant? yes, this is one of our meadows where we should be - significant? yes, this is one of our i meadows where we should be raising livestock. we have run out of grass so we are now having to feed our winter... i have food ready prepared for the winter so there are risks of

food shortages this winter. we are seeing in our spring crops yield reductions and i'm hearing from other farmers reductions and i'm hearing from otherfarmers their reductions and i'm hearing from other farmers their quality won't be good enough and supermarkets are starting to turn away produce because it hasn't met the right size or shape. because it hasn't met the right size or sha te. ., because it hasn't met the right size or sha-e. ., . ., ., because it hasn't met the right size orsha-e. ., . ., ., or shape. you have run out of grass, talk us through _ or shape. you have run out of grass, talk us through the _ or shape. you have run out of grass, talk us through the grass _ or shape. you have run out of grass, talk us through the grass season. i talk us through the grass season. normally, grass would be growing throughout the year, it slows down a little bit in the summer. in the late spring and early summer, we cut it to produce hay and silage for the winter. but we had hardly any rain and the grass hasn't grown so we are bringing the stored grass out of the shed again to maintain livestock and feed them at the moment. 50 shed again to maintain livestock and feed them at the moment.— feed them at the moment. so what will happen — feed them at the moment. so what will happen in _ feed them at the moment. so what will happen in the _ feed them at the moment. so what will happen in the winter— feed them at the moment. so what will happen in the winter if- feed them at the moment. so what will happen in the winter if you - feed them at the moment. so what will happen in the winter if you are | will happen in the winter if you are using the stocks up now? i will happen in the winter if you are using the stocks up now?- using the stocks up now? i think it will be a complete _ using the stocks up now? i think it will be a complete growing - using the stocks up now? i think it will be a complete growing crisis. | will be a complete growing crisis. if the rain doesn't come soon and the forecast says it's not, there is a lot of risk that livestock farmers will be running out of food over the winter and a real risk of how we

manage that going forward. 50 winter and a real risk of how we manage that going forward. so you are also saying _ manage that going forward. so you are also saying supermarkets - manage that going forward. so you are also saying supermarkets are l are also saying supermarkets are returning produce because of reduced quality. what does that look like, what does that mean? 50 quality. what does that look like, what does that mean?— quality. what does that look like, what does that mean? so i've been s-teakin what does that mean? so i've been speaking to — what does that mean? so i've been speaking to a _ what does that mean? so i've been speaking to a number— what does that mean? so i've been speaking to a number of— what does that mean? so i've been speaking to a number of farmers i what does that mean? so i've been i speaking to a number of farmers this week across the east, their produce hasn't grown enough, there has been a lack of water so the size and shape hasn't been up to standard sizes for them to be put into the market. so the supermarkets are saying, we don't want that, or the supply chain, it doesn't meet our speck. supermarkets and supply chains need to change their spec, we need as much food as possible to leave the field to get on the plate of the consumer and reduce food waste. i of the consumer and reduce food waste. ~ ., of the consumer and reduce food waste. ~' ., . , of the consumer and reduce food waste. ~ ., . , . , waste. i know farming is a very immediate _ waste. i know farming is a very immediate profession - waste. i know farming is a very immediate profession to - waste. i know farming is a very immediate profession to being| waste. i know farming is a very i immediate profession to being but waste. i know farming is a very - immediate profession to being but a lot of planning goes into it, because we are talking about planning seasons. was there any warnings that you could have used to help you prepare for what you are going through now? hater? help you prepare for what you are going through now?— help you prepare for what you are going through now? very little. we know the climate _ going through now? very little. we know the climate is _ going through now? very little. we know the climate is changing, - going through now? very little. we know the climate is changing, we i know the climate is changing, we have a climate crisis and risk of

dry summers. but a lot of farmers who wanted to put water storage facilities and have been blocked through planning permission and other things, so we have tried to take precautions but it's been a real challenge. you talk about the long—term planning. i can't grow my crops for next season at the moment, can't plant them because there is no moisture on the ground. so that will roll into next year. last year we planted lots of hedges and trees to improve the biodiversity and much of that has died, we have been able to keep them watered. so this will have real long—term effects to our farming businesses. [30 real long-term effects to our farming businesses.- real long-term effects to our farming businesses. do you think that will change _ farming businesses. do you think that will change the _ farming businesses. do you think that will change the policy - farming businesses. do you think that will change the policy on - that will change the policy on blocking the planning of water reservoirs that you would like to put into your land? i reservoirs that you would like to put into your land?— reservoirs that you would like to put into your land? i think we need a real shake-op — put into your land? i think we need a real shake-up of— put into your land? i think we need a real shake-up of how _ put into your land? i think we need a real shake-up of how we - put into your land? i think we need a real shake-up of how we store i put into your land? i think we need i a real shake-up of how we store and a real shake—up of how we store and manage water. one of the priorities. of manage water. one of the priorities. of course, manage water. one of the priorities. of course, consumers manage water. one of the priorities. of course, consumers need in their taps for drinking water but we also need it in the landscape to grow our crops and irrigate our food. we need it in the landscape to grow our crops and irrigate ourfood. we need a grown—up conversation about how the heck we're going to tackle this

at pace. we have known this is coming at us for generations almost are naturally we've done very little about it. a. ., are naturally we've done very little about it. ., . about it. martin, on that point, knowint about it. martin, on that point, knowing what _ about it. martin, on that point, knowing what you _ about it. martin, on that point, knowing what you have - about it. martin, on that point, knowing what you have gone i about it. martin, on that point, - knowing what you have gone through this year, what are you thinking you are going to put in place for next year? are going to put in place for next ear? ~ . . . , are going to put in place for next ear? . . . ,~ . ., year? we are already changing our farmint year? we are already changing our farming practices _ year? we are already changing our farming practices and _ year? we are already changing our farming practices and adding - year? we are already changing our farming practices and adding morej farming practices and adding more organic matter, reducing the soil movements recreate and also looking at other systems, which crops can manage a drought situation better? 0k, manage a drought situation better? ok, thank you so much for that. speaking to us from cambridgeshire there. animal charities in the united states are trying to find homes for about 4,000 beagles which were due to be used for laboratory experiments. the company in virginia which bred the dogs was forced to close after it was accused of animal cruelty and sued by the department ofjustice. inspectors found beagles with minor health conditions that were being killed — and much of their food was infested with maggots or faeces. olivia otigbah reports.

a wide yawn perhaps signifying relief after a long day of being rescued. life certainly hasn't been squeaky toys and cuddles for these beagles. they were destined to be sold to laboratories for drug experiments. the us humane society is leading the operation. 4,000's a big number, and it's going to take 60 days to get all of these animals out, and working with our shelter and rescue partners across the country, working with them to get these dogs into — eventually into an ever loving home. in may, the us department ofjustice sued evigo rms, a dog breeding facility in cumberland, virginia, citing animal welfare violations. good girl. government inspectors found beagles being starved, locked in cages and even killed. republican state senator bill stanley has been involved

in the rescue effort. back in 2019, we discovered that there was a place in cumberland county that was breeding beagles, beautiful beagle dogs for experimentation. i tried to shut them down in 2019 but was not successful. but over the years, we never stop fighting. now away from danger, the task begins to find 4,000 puppies their forever home. olivia otigbah, bbc news. a beluga whale that swam up the seine river in northern france has been removed from the water in a rescue operation. the 800 kilo whale was lifted from the river using a crane and net, and hoisted onto a barge. mark lobel reports the moment millions have been waiting for. an ambitious rescue operation is under way with around 80 rescue workers, including divers and police. after nearly six hours of work this 800 kilo beluga whale

whose fate has been captivating a worldwide audience is delivered into the immediate care of a dozen vets. translation: the moment when we got the beluga out of the water was - stressful and extremely intense. he was surprised and moving about, and we thought he was going to escape from the net. it was quite astonishing. but he is alive and he's on the barge. days of preparation paid off, trying to help the four—metre whale, a protected species usually found in much colder arctic waters, which found itself stuck in the river north—west of paris for a week. it was also failing to eat after straying so far south from its natural environment. but the rescue operation has some way to go. next it will be taken back to the coast on a refrigerated truck, with several days of treatment before, hopefully, being released back into the open sea safe and well. mark lobel, bbc news.

a man has walked 625 metres across a line suspended between two of the tallest buildings in rotterdam in the netherlands. swaying in the wind, jaan roose sometimes stopped to catch his balance whilst crossing the river maas. 0h, oh, gosh. the slackline measured two centimetres wide, the width of a postage stamp. he said the start of the crossing was the most difficult part, but the walk was finished in 49 minutes. 0h, oh, ican't oh, i can't watch that. why would you do that? but congratulations to him. yay! now it's time for a look at the weather with carol: if you are looking for some rain, some might have showers sunday evening. what we have at the moment is an amber met office extreme heat

weather warning. is an amber met office extreme heat weatherwarning. it is an amber met office extreme heat weather warning. it is valid thursday to sunday and covers much of england and east wales. you can just see it includes the isle of wight as others it means be prepared. you might find for example some disruption to your travel arrangements. but what we have today is a lot of dry weather, a lot of strong sunshine. out towards the west eventually some of the sunshine will turn hazy as the weather front approaches bringing in thicker cloud and later again, some rain. here we have gusty winds so temperature is a little lower but widely we are looking at the mid 20s to the low 30s. as we head on through the evening and overnight, still a lot of dry weather in clear skies. some patchy mist and fog clearing. the weather front draped across north and west of scotland bringing in some rain which will be heavy at times and looking at a mild night for the most part. temperatures falling away between 9—17 in cardiff. so it will become increasingly more uncomfortable for sleeping. high pressure remains in charge of the weather over the next

few days, drifting eastwards, pulling in some of the very warm hot continental air and effectively keeping weather fronts at bay across the north—west of scotland. so on thursday you can see where we have the rain and the cloud but a lot of dry weather. and at times there will be areas of low cloud from the north sea. temperatures widely again from the mid 20s to the mid 30s but locally somewhere in the south, it could hit 35 or 36. on friday, any overnight mist orfog could hit 35 or 36. on friday, any overnight mist or fog that has bombed quickly dispensing. prone to some low cloud coming onshore at times from the north sea and around the coast of northern ireland. the cloud syncing further south across scotland. so in the north, temperatures will be lower, but in the south, still looking at the mid 30s for some of us. the outlook period remains settled into the weekend but remember, some thundery showers are possible during the course of sunday evening and then as low pressure takes charge of our weather, things start to change. so as we head into the early part of next week, what we are looking at is

temperatures going down and also the chance of some rain but as well as the rain, some of us will see some thundery gambles. —— thundery downpours.

hello, this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak and these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. millions of households in the uk owe energy companies more money than ever before as bills are set to increase further in october. uk ministers are due to hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the cost of living crisis. they should be considered a warning shot, as if we needed another one, that this winter is going to be incredibly difficult for energy unless there is a much greater scale of government response than is currently on the table. moscow downplays a series of explosions which shook a russian military airfield in western crimea. ukraine's president predicts his country will eventually recapture the peninsula.