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.

senior republicans in the us condemn the fbi's search of donald trump's florida home. the white house insists it only learned about the operation from media reports. 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. that, as western europe is facing its worst drought in decades — with water levels in rivers and reservoirs already running low — or even dry. a beluga whale that swam up the seine river in northern france and became stranded, has been removed from the water in the first stage of a rescue operation by marine experts. # we're walking in the air.# the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic,

the snowman, has died, aged 88. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. debts owed by uk consumers to energy suppliers have tripled since last september, according to the comparison service uswitch. almost a quarter of households owe an average of more than £200 to their provider. uk 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 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 for uk customers. the price cap — the maximum amount energy companies can charge — currently stands atjust under £2,000 per year, but its 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 uk government.

richard neudegg — director of regulation at uswitch — told me more about the debts owed by uk consumers. we are we asking people have less credit, if they have credit at all, had a similar number of customers in debt to their supplier, around 6 million households, but the level of debt has increased and pretty significantly aid the overall number of people who don't have any credit built up at the moment has fallen, so that means 1a million households total either have debt to their supplies at this point, or don't have any credit. that really matters when we are staring down the barrel of these really horrendous increases that are due to coming in october, with no buffer, no cushion, and it means when those direct debits get reviewed in september into 0ctober people are going to have letters landing on their door mats that are projecting really, really huge increases to their monthly direct debits. i increases to their monthly direct debits. ~' ., increases to their monthly direct debits. ~ ., , ., , increases to their monthly direct debits. ~ ., , , debits. i know this has been described — debits. i know this has been described as _ debits. i know this has been | described as unprecedented, debits. i know this has been - described as unprecedented, the general crisis we are in, but in terms of such high debt to energy

companies being owed, has there ever been something that has come close? this is the highest level we have been tracking at uswitch but the real significance is the point of the year we are at, that it is in summer, it is at a point where the energy usage is really low. i expect that this will get really significantly much more difficult, much more high levels of debt as we actually get into the winter where you will see usage really spike, and we are really worried about that in terms of the implications for households, but also what that means, people being pushed onto prepayment metres where there is a high disconnection risk and everything else, so they should be considered a warning shot, as if we needed another one, that this winter will be incredibly difficult for energy unless there is a much greater scale of government response thanis greater scale of government response than is currently on the table. that was richard _ than is currently on the table. that was richard neudegg of uswitch. joining me now is our business reporter noor nanji.

worrying time for uk householders, tell us more about it. it is tell us more about it. it is worrying. _ tell us more about it. it is worrying, especially - tell us more about it. it is worrying, especially after| tell us more about it. it 3 worrying, especially after that forecast yesterday talking about how energy bills could hit £4000 a year from the start of january. has come from the start of january. has come from cornwall insights and today as we're hearing from there there is a warning that some households are already falling behind on energy payments, even the huge rise comes in, and the government for its part has said it does continually take action to try and support households with these rising energy bills, including a £400 discount on household energy bills for england, scotland and wales which starts from this autumn. but it is coming under increasing pressure to do more. so the consumer champion martin lewis, for instance, has called it a zombie government, he says they need to do more and take action now, and that's also beenjoined by the boss of 0ctopus energy, this morning he said more needs to be done and says the government needs to improve the

offer of £400 per household. ministers are set to hold talks with energy giants tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see what comes out of that. ~ . ., w ., , be interesting to see what comes out ofthat. ~ . ., ., , , of that. what are the factors behind the crisis? could _ of that. what are the factors behind the crisis? could you _ of that. what are the factors behind the crisis? could you remind - of that. what are the factors behind the crisis? could you remind us - of that. what are the factors behind the crisis? could you remind us of l the crisis? could you remind us of that? fix, the crisis? could you remind us of that? �* ., ., , ., the crisis? could you remind us of that? ., ., , , that? a lot of it is global, partly due to the _ that? a lot of it is global, partly due to the war— that? a lot of it is global, partly due to the war in _ that? a lot of it is global, partly due to the war in ukraine. - due to the war in ukraine. essentially what we have is rising wholesale gas prices and these have been soaring in recent months because russia has been restricting the flow of gas through an essential pipeline to germany and two other central european countries. this has pushed up the price of wholesale gas and has raised concerns about the availability and supply of energy right as we head into those crucial autumn and winter months. as i say these are largely global forces, but that's not going to be any comfort to households here in the uk facing the prospect of these much higher energy bills. and as we were hearing there, they are already starting to struggle with this. and this all comes at a time when many families are already facing soaring costs, everything from food, fuel and

energy as well, which has been pushing uk inflation up higher and higher. inflation is the rate at which prices are rising. it is currently at a 40 year high and last week we heard the bank of england warned it could hit more than 13%. so there could be more pain to come. there is also news that has been released related to aeon, there is a global element to this, but are we just talking about the uk?- just talking about the uk? talking about the global _ just talking about the uk? talking about the global business, - just talking about the uk? talking about the global business, it - just talking about the uk? talking about the global business, it is i just talking about the uk? talking | about the global business, it is one of the uk's biggest energy suppliers but the results were interesting because it has reported a decline in its adjusted core profits for the first half of this year, so adjusted profits came in atjust under 4.1 billion euros, actually down from 700 million euros from last year, for the first half of this year, but what was particularly interesting was their commentary. e.0n's boss said this crisis is extraordinary, in his terms, and said it highlights

europe's need to transform its energy system to reduce its reliance on russian gas. 0k, noor nanji, thank you very much for that. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley told me more about what the conservative leadership candidates have to say on the issue. 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? well, rishi sunak is saying 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, mr sunak says the money also needs to be targeted, 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 mr sunak will be under pressure to spell out a bit more about exactly what he's talking about. ms truss has been really reluctant, actually, to engage with the idea about whether she is going to come up with an emergency support package if she is prime minister.

she said she would have an emergency budget as soon as 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 ms truss herself hasn't said that and her team say she isn't committing to anything at the moment. but mr cleverly was pushed this morning on the today programme about the wider question of what the government is going to do, what it can do over the next month. have a listen. the chancellor and business secretary are meeting with the energy companies tomorrow, that is us doing something. we have a support package that is in place. we recognise that global events are pushing global prices up and that is having a real—world impact on people around the country, and that is concerning to them. and we are absolutely doing something about it. but you've got to remember that

a major fiscal event, and addressing this would require that, needs to be done properly through parliament. liz has committed to do that as soon as we get back in september and well ahead of the price cap lifting in 0ctober~ — but there are many 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 cap rise 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 spelled out specifics yet. they are saying they will do that next week. and all the while, likwesa, 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. 0k, nick eardley, thank you very much for that. he was speaking to me earlier. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has said the war in ukraine began with crimea and must end with its liberation. referring to the russian seizure of the peninsula in 2014, he said crimea remained ukrainian and will never be given up. mr zelensky was speaking in his nightly address, just hours after a string of explosions hit a russian airbase on crimea, killing one person. ukrainian officials said their armed forces had not claimed responsibility. sylvia lennan spence reports. explosions running for cover in russian—controlled crimea. children nervously urging their mother to flee the area. homes were hit in novofedorivka,

which neighbours a russian airbase where the blasts occurred. translation: when the explosions happened - we were hiding behind garages. we didn't know where to go. we abandoned the apartment immediately, ran away, just grabbed water and that was it. visiting the airbase, the head of the russia—appointed regional administration spoke about the incident. translation: the situation is under control. _ only the houses next to the military airfield will be evacuated. we will not leave anyone without help. russia says ammunition was detonated. ukraine's military sarcastically reminded russia on facebook of its fire safety rules and the ban of smoking in unsettled places. but an adviser to ukraine's president flatly denied responsibility, though his desire to retake the peninsula remains. translation: this russian war against ukraine, - in a free europe, startedj in crimea and has to end

in crimea, with its liberation. it is impossible to say when it will happen, i but we are getting there. many fear the consequences of a ukrainian attack in crimea would be severe. over the past two months, russia has accused ukraine of firing on black sea oil drilling platforms in crimean waters, and of a drone attack on their naval facility in sevastopol. if this latest incident was found to have been a ukrainian attack, it would be deemed a significant escalation in an already bitter war. sylvia lennan—spence, bbc news. hugo bachega has been following the story and he joins me now from kyiv. can you tell us about the shelling in dnipro oblast last night? we are hearing from the governor

that at least 13 people were killed as a result of russian shelling in the central part of ukraine. he said one of the towns and cities hit was the city of nick paul, a city located on the other side of the dnipro river next to the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. we have been talking about this facility for a few days because the local officials accused russia of using this complex as a military base. we heard from the head of the nuclear operator saying that 500 russian soldiers are there in this complex, using it as a shelter because they know the ukrainian forces will not re—palliate and last night it seems it was a night of a lot of tension with those reported shelling is. in terms of crimea, just how key is this? the president is putting it into context going

back to 2014. is is putting it into context going back to 2014.— is putting it into context going back to 2014. is this going to be something _ back to 2014. is this going to be something of— back to 2014. is this going to be something of a _ back to 2014. is this going to be something of a distraction, - back to 2014. is this going to be something of a distraction, or . back to 2014. is this going to be something of a distraction, or is there a real chance that ukraine could well claim it back? it is there a real chance that ukraine could well claim it back?- could well claim it back? it is a key question — could well claim it back? it is a key question in _ could well claim it back? it is a key question in this _ could well claim it back? it is a key question in this country - could well claim it back? it is a - key question in this country because crimea was invaded and annexed by russia in 2014. yesterday during his nightly address president zelensky said that crimea was ukrainian and that it would be returned to ukrainians. he didn't talk about those explosions happened yesterday at a russian airbase in crimea. the russians are saying that these explosions were the result of ammunition that detonated at a depot there. they rejected that this was there. they rejected that this was the result of an attack. but there has been a lot of speculation about what could have been, what could have triggered those explosions. we heard from an adviser to president

zelensky saying that the ukrainian military were not involved in this case. but he did raise some other possibilities, one of them is that this was the result of negligence at the facility, and he also said that perhaps this could have been caused by a local resistance group, even though he hasn't provided any evidence to support that claim. but the ukrainians don't have any reason, if they were behind this explosion, no reason to confirm that because that would be public confirmation that they have those long range weapons, that they have the capacity to strike russian positions deep inside russian territory far away from the front lines. and for the russians, they also have no reason to accuse the ukrainians for these explosions because that would be a massive embarrassment for them. they have a very strong military presence in crimea and any kind of attack on the peninsula would be seen as a

significant escalation by moscow. 0k, significant escalation by moscow. ok, thank you very much, joining us live from kyiv, hugo bachega. a day after donald trump condemned the search of his home in florida by fbi agents, he's released a slick, campaign—style video that analysts say is the strongest hint yet that he intends to run for president in 2024. several leading republicans have joined in his accusations that he was the victim of a democrat—led witch—hunt. chi chi izundu reports from florida. last night, dinner with about a dozen house republican members, a show solidarity from donald trump's party. unprecedented is how this is being described because no other united states of america president has had their home 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 american people are awake. we are not woke, we are awake and we know what's going on. it was a fishing expedition. we have to stand up for our rights and our freedoms because they are being eroded. what the fbi 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. we are a nation in decline.

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. joining us now greg swenson from republicans overseas uk. thank you forjoining us. my first question is, obviously you have been watching this very closely from the uk. what has been your reaction to

what took place on how republicans have reacted?— have reacted? after the initial shock and _ have reacted? after the initial shock and surprise _ have reacted? after the initial shock and surprise everyone l have reacted? after the initial. shock and surprise everyone saw have reacted? after the initial- shock and surprise everyone saw on the television screens and reading the television screens and reading the content, i think it is pretty clear that this probably backfired on the democrats and on the justice department. eithera on the democrats and on the justice department. either a mistake or prosecutorial overreach or overkill, or at the very least, an abuse of power. i think it is ultimately going to backfire. in the earlier comments you mentioned that this might even be good for president trump. i think in general it is probably a boost for the republican party in the midterms in november. i think in many ways this might have backfired on the democrats. we will see. ., . backfired on the democrats. we will see, ., ., ., , , backfired on the democrats. we will see. ., ., ., ,, .,, backfired on the democrats. we will see. ., ., ., see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? _ see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? it _ see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? it is _ see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? it is hard - see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? it is hard to - see. you are assuming there was no crime committed? it is hard to say. | crime committed? it is hard to say. obviously there _ crime committed? it is hard to say. obviously there is _ crime committed? it is hard to say. obviously there is no _ crime committed? it is hard to say. j obviously there is no evidence right now. there is not much information except for some very well—placed leaks to the media. normally these

administrative or document —related cases are handled through negotiations which the president had been active with, he turned over documents in february, for example. it is either done in negotiations, that's how historically it has worked. or at the very most a subpoena which would have sufficed here. to raid someone's home, especially a former president, it is really unprecedented historically. whether or not there is a crime, at this point there is no evidence of that, and i think it is almost inevitable that there will be comparisons made, and you are already seeing it in the press, to the hillary clinton e—mails scandal, with the hunter biden scandal is the fbi and justice department have basically been sitting on. i think it is going to be a really difficult argument to make for the democrats that this was a wise move to make. obviously mr trump appointed the current fbi director.— current fbi director. true, true. chris ray- — current fbi director. true, true.

chris ray. there _ current fbi director. true, true. chris ray. there is _ current fbi director. true, true. chris ray. there is no _ current fbi director. true, true. chris ray. there is no doubt - current fbi director. true, true. | chris ray. there is no doubt that presidential appointees can be hired and fired. i think in this case the president, if he were still present, would fire him for this kind of thing. but —— still present. what is important is when bill barr was attorney general he did a good job to depoliticise the justice department and the attorney general�*s office, and i think you are seeing a real politicisation with merrick garland. i don't think there is any argument, or much argument, against that. and you could see it in the things he has chosen to do, or to prosecute, as well as the things he has chosen not to do. mr well as the things he has chosen not to do. ~ , ,, ,., well as the things he has chosen not todo. ~ , ,, to do. mr greg swenson, when you start questioning _ to do. mr greg swenson, when you start questioning institutions - to do. mr greg swenson, when you start questioning institutions like i start questioning institutions like the fbi and justice department, you are questioning the credibility, which has the risk of undermining americans' trust in these institutions. could i put it to you

that this is more a case of timing as we head towards the midterms? i would agree with that, i think this was a very deliberate move to either distract the voters from the current issues at hand. for the electorate obviously the inflation and economy are the number one issues, so maybe it was an attempt to distract voters from the fact it is only a few months away, three months away, and also trying to make the midterms about trump, which i think would be something that would be beneficial to the democrats. again, i don't think it will work. it has actually bumped up republican enthusiasm and unity. but i would agree, the timing of this is really important to consider, and i don't think voters will overlook that. ok. consider, and i don't think voters will overlook that.— will overlook that. ok, greg swenson. — will overlook that. ok, greg swenson. it _ will overlook that. ok, greg swenson, it does _ will overlook that. ok, greg swenson, it does go - will overlook that. ok, greg swenson, it does go both i will overlook that. ok, greg - swenson, it does go both ways, but thank you very much indeed. great to be here, thank you very much indeed. great to be here. thanks _

thank you very much indeed. great to be here, thanks for _ thank you very much indeed. great to be here, thanks for having _ thank you very much indeed. great to be here, thanks for having me. - be here, thanks for having me. you're watching bbc news. we are auoin to you're watching bbc news. we are going to bring _ you're watching bbc news. we are going to bring you _ you're watching bbc news. we are going to bring you an _ you're watching bbc news. we are going to bring you an update - you're watching bbc news. we are going to bring you an update on i you're watching bbc news. we are i going to bring you an update on some news we have been following closely. this is concerning the beluga whale that was stranded on the river seine. we understand that it has died, unfortunately. this is coming from a local french authority. authorities had airlifted it and they were trying to move it closer to saltwater along the river seine so that it could move on. but it has now been reported that it was stranded, they moved it, they airlifted it, and moved it, but unfortunately it has passed away. now two events taking place in the african continent. vote counting is under way in kenya, where a new president is being chosen to succeed uhuru kenyatta. polling day was largely peaceful, but voting was suspended in one constituency in a volatile northern region. kenyans are now eagerly waiting to find out whether the next leader

will be former prime minister, raila odinga or the vice president, william ruto, after months of intense campaigning. merchuma has been monitoring the ballot and joins me now from nairobi. the count is on, mercy. indeed, the count is on. — the count is on, mercy. indeed, the count is on. it _ the count is on, mercy. indeed, the count is on, it is _ the count is on, mercy. indeed, the count is on, it is 24-hour _ the count is on, mercy. indeed, the count is on, it is 24-hour since - count is on, it is 24—hour since polling stations officially closed and vote counting began. the information we are getting is that the electoral commission has now received more than 90% of the digital forms containing the results from the polling stations and they are waiting for these forms to physically get to the national tallying centre in nairobi and that's the only time after receiving the forms, from the more than 46,000 polling stations that they will be able to say who is kenyan's next president. but we are able to see

how things are going on because we have local media, election observers and agents of the state and the numbers are public. we are seeing them on social media and everything. in other areas of the parliamentary level, some people have conceded defeat already because they are seeing how things are going. but for the presidential race, the electoral commission says until it receives all the figures then it will be able to give the numbers. what we have so far provisionally, it is a very close race between the top two presidential candidates. william ruto and raila odinga. and also we will not be able to know the exact figures until voting closes today in that one constituency which did not get to vote yesterday.— get to vote yesterday. mercy, i wonder if — get to vote yesterday. mercy, i wonder if i — get to vote yesterday. mercy, i wonder if i could _ get to vote yesterday. mercy, i wonder if i could very - get to vote yesterday. mercy, i wonder if i could very quickly . get to vote yesterday. mercy, i i wonder if i could very quickly ask you, one of the elements about the kenyan elections is always this element of ethnic violence. so far, how has it gone? it

element of ethnic violence. so far, how has it gone?— element of ethnic violence. so far, how has it gone? it has been largely eaceful. how has it gone? it has been largely peaceful. during _ how has it gone? it has been largely peaceful. during the _ how has it gone? it has been largely peaceful. during the campaign - peaceful. during the campaign period, even during the voting process today everything went really well apart from pockets of people just getting agitated, either because their voting stations delayed and instead of starting at 6am they started two or three hours later. but these stations have compensated and voting was extended beyond the 5pm closing time, so so far we haven't seen any violence. and inasmuch as there are security personnel deployed to various parts of the country nothing has been reported so far, and we haven't had any people coming out strongly to say that as far as things are right now they feel that there is rigging going on, or that they are being not treated well, because those are the things that make the people now start getting violent. raila odinga, william ruto. _ start getting violent. raila odinga, william ruto, how— start getting violent. raila odinga, william ruto, how different - start getting violent. raila odinga, william ruto, how different are - william ruto, how different are they? william ruto, how different are the ? , ., ., �*, they? so, first of all, let's look at the ages _ they? so, first of all, let's look at the ages of— they? so, first of all, let's look at the ages of these _ they? so, first of all, let's look at the ages of these two - they? so, first of all, let's look.

at the ages of these two people. raila odinga 77 and william ruto is 55. looking at their manifestos in what they are promising and william ruto is talking about the bottom—up approach, he talks to the people as somebody who is very relatable, somebody who is very relatable, somebody has had trouble to come to where he is. raila odinga is a seasoned politician, the fifth time he is trying to get the presidency and for william ruto this is the first time he's trying to get this. also another thing to note is that these two have been rivals, especially between raila odinga and deputy president's william ruto's boss uhuru kenyatta, so there are lots of differences between these two and they will really impact the numbers on when the total tally comes out. numbers on when the total tally comes out-— numbers on when the total tally comes out. . . , ~ _ comes out. and finally, mercy, when we look at the _ comes out. and finally, mercy, when we look at the wider _ comes out. and finally, mercy, when we look at the wider context, - comes out. and finally, mercy, when we look at the wider context, yes, i we look at the wider context, yes, kenya is east african but when we talk about economic powerhouses on the african continent, how

significant are elections like this? why are they watched so closely? you talk about kenya being an economic power has notjust in the region but globally. if you look at the position of kenya, things as the headquarters of major organisations like the united nations are based in nairobi. the people who have established headquarters in nairobi, so people are looking to see how their business will be impacted if at all and they are really watching to see how this race goes. we could be looking at great losses because look at the ports, look at the role of the corridors that pass through kenya to east africa and from east africa, goods travel to other parts of the continent and even beyond, in the world. so those are some of the things the region is looking at and even economically, making people have a keen interest on the kenyan

polls and results.— polls and results. thank you for that, i polls and results. thank you for that. i know — polls and results. thank you for that, i know you _ polls and results. thank you for that, i know you will— polls and results. thank you for that, i know you will be - polls and results. thank you for| that, i know you will be updating polls and results. thank you for- that, i know you will be updating us throughout the day. thank you. the uk 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 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. helen briggs reports. 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 vast 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. europe is facing one of its worst droughts in decades, with rivers drying up and water supplies running low. germany, portugal, spain and italy are just some of the countries facing water shortages — and in france — more than 100 municipalities have no running drinking water. our correspondent mark lowen is in nantes in the west of france.

so, france going through a similar thing, how are they coping, mark? they are really struggling. france is in its worst drought since records began, back in 1958. it follows a month ofjuly that was the second month, second driest month on record and there is not forecast to be any significant rainfall in the coming days or indeed weeks. so they are really struggling here. we are in the noir valley and we went to the river yesterday, the longest in france, where there was no water after all. france, where there was no water afterall. i france, where there was no water after all. i was standing in the middle where they should have been water and it was just sand and grit and people were picnicking at a low level on the water bank, where there was a sort of wall measuring where the tide used to reach up to in another era and now they can just sit there and have picnics on the side. so some people enjoying the hot weather but of course it is a real worry for people who depend on

the river and on lower temperatures, particularly farmers. france of course an agricultural, a strongly agricultural country but the world is already gripped by a global food crisis linked to the war in ukraine are now with this severe drought, that has been compounded. so france's corn production likely to drop by 18% this year and wheat by four percent. and that is of major significance notjust france but countries that take french produce. one farmer i was speaking to as we were walking through this field of completely parched, bare corn kernels said this is likely to worsen food shortages in parts of africa. , ., , africa. the site of the dry riverbed. _ africa. the site of the dry riverbed, that _ africa. the site of the dry riverbed, that is - africa. the site of the dry riverbed, that is the - africa. the site of the dry - riverbed, that is the equivalent of the river thames freezing over in dickensian times. how are locals responding to all of this, are they concerned? is it a shrug, c'est la

vie? ., �* , ., concerned? is it a shrug, c'est la vie? ., �*, ., j, concerned? is it a shrug, c'est la vie? ., �*, ., ., concerned? is it a shrug, c'est la vie? ., �*, ., f , . ., vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you seak vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you speak to — vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you speak to people _ vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you speak to people and _ vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you speak to people and they - vie? no, it's not c'est la vie. you speak to people and they are - speak to people and they are concerned by climate change, by global warning and of course they are also concerned by the restrictions on water use that have come in. supporting it largely but now, for example, across the whole of france, you cannot water large gardens or wash your car or fill yourswimming gardens or wash your car or fill your swimming pools. and gardens or wash your car or fill yourswimming pools. and in gardens or wash your car or fill your swimming pools. and in some departments, much more is severe restrictions on that. there is a real concern rainfall is down by about 85% from normal levels. added to that, you have these forest fires which continue to rage. in the south—west of france, about 6000 hectares have been burnt in a recent fire, about 6000 people evacuated as firefighters tried to douse the flames. so this combustible mix of forest fires, heatwaves and extreme drought is something that sadly this country and large swathes of europe are likely to see much more of. ok.

are likely to see much more of. ok, mark lowen. _ are likely to see much more of. ok, mark lowen, thank _ are likely to see much more of. 0k, mark lowen, thank you very for that. we are going to stay in france for a moment. police in paris say they have shot and killed a man who brandished a knife at charles de gaulle airport. according to an eyewitness, the man was acting agressively towards security guards. police ordered him to stop but when he walked towards them he was shot in the abdomen. the man, who was described as homeless by an airport source, died at the scene. more now on those eye—watering figures from the comparison service, u—switch, suggesting uk households owe £1.3 billion to their energy suppliers. the overall debt bill is already three times higher than it was a year ago, and experts fear it's most likely to grow further over the winter. joining me now to discuss the impact of this level of debt

on individuals is richard lane, director of external affairs at the debt charity stepchange. richard, your initial reaction to that eye watering figure, 1.3 billion. ., . , that eye watering figure, 1.3 billion. ., ., , ., ., billion. unfortunately, our reaction is we are not— billion. unfortunately, our reaction is we are not surprised. _ billion. unfortunately, our reaction is we are not surprised. it - billion. unfortunately, our reaction is we are not surprised. it is - is we are not surprised. it is exactly what we are seeing from our clients that come to us for help. they just clients that come to us for help. theyjust managed to get through the pandemic off and facing a reduction in income or losing theirjob and now there is a perfect storm of rising energy bills, rising food bills. we are incredibly worried it will get a lot worse as we head towards winter. i will get a lot worse as we head towards winter.— towards winter. i think a lot of --eole towards winter. i think a lot of people will — towards winter. i think a lot of people will be _ towards winter. i think a lot of people will be thinking - towards winter. i think a lot of people will be thinking ok, i towards winter. i think a lot of| people will be thinking ok, we towards winter. i think a lot of i people will be thinking ok, we know what the problem is, we are living it, experiencing it. let's start off with the energy suppliers. what can i do to help their customers? weill. i do to help their customers? well, we will have _ i do to help their customers? well, we will have to _ i do to help their customers? well, we will have to see _ i do to help their customers? well, we will have to see some _ i do to help their customers? -ii we will have to see some enormously bold action by energy supplies and the government. we are calling on

energy supplies to ensure they are not pushing for unaffordable repayments of arrears on energy bills. we are also calling for a moratorium on people being transitioned across two prepayment metres, which can often be more expensive. they are typically given and pushed on lower income households and it also means when you cannot go to the shop and top up your prepayment metre, you have to disconnect yourself is that you are simply not going to be able to afford to heat your home. so those are some of the initial things we want to see urgently put in place. have you put those suggestions to the government and energy supplies and if you have, what sort of reaction have you had? we've been -iushin reaction have you had? we've been pushing on — reaction have you had? we've been pushing on this _ reaction have you had? we've been pushing on this for _ reaction have you had? we've been pushing on this for awhile - reaction have you had? we've been pushing on this for awhile now- reaction have you had? we've been pushing on this for awhile now and | pushing on this for awhile now and working with organisations like citizens advice to push these. we sent a briefing to ofgem on this and are writing to all of the big six energy companies to push for this as well. they recognise we are facing a crisis and we are working with them closely and we are confident we will see some action. of course, it's also going to be the top of the intro for the new prime minister who

will have to take incredibly bold action to stop households facing absolute destitution this winter. he is a bold action and you are confident action will be taken, its top of their intro but what we hear from people who know how to balance the books as they are leaving it too late to act. it the books as they are leaving it too late to act. , the books as they are leaving it too late to act. _, , , the books as they are leaving it too late to act-— late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we late to act. it is absolutely urgent now- we are _ late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we are going _ late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we are going to _ late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we are going to face - late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we are going to face a i late to act. it is absolutely urgent now. we are going to face a crisis if something is not done incredibly quickly. and people have been spinning plates and just about managing and turning to every coping mechanism they can, borrowing money from family and friends and that simply has run out. people have no more tools left to tackle this. we will have to see really direct funds put into peoples account and direct funds to alleviate some of the potential even bigger rises in energy costs incredibly urgency. whilst we are in summer at the moment, as we had to winter and people have to heat their homes, this is potentially a disaster for lots of people. this is potentially a disaster for lots of people-— this is potentially a disaster for lots of people. this is potentially a disaster for lots of --eole. ., ., ., lots of people. you say there are no more tools — lots of people. you say there are no more tools left _ lots of people. you say there are no more tools left in _ lots of people. you say there are no more tools left in the _ lots of people. you say there are no more tools left in the box. - lots of people. you say there are no more tools left in the box. so i lots of people. you say there are no more tools left in the box. so for i more tools left in the box. so for people who are sitting there going, what on earth can i do? what can

they do that will make a difference, just sit and wait? because that is what the government is doing at the moment. ., ., , ,., , what the government is doing at the moment. ., ., , , , .,, what the government is doing at the moment. ., , , , ., moment. no, absolutely people should not sit and wait. _ moment. no, absolutely people should not sit and wait. if _ moment. no, absolutely people should not sit and wait. if you _ moment. no, absolutely people should not sit and wait. if you are _ not sit and wait. if you are worried, you need to reach out and get help. please do speak to your energy provider. they will listen. they have a regulatory obligation to ensure they can help you. if you are worried about your debt or have fallen into arrears already, speak to someone like stepchange or citizens advice. there is support out there and we can help you find a way forward and we would just reiterate that the government is going to have to do something. we are facing energy bills which have gone up from a price cap of £900 in march and potentially heading towards £4000. household simply can't cope with that. you towards £4000. household simply can't cope with that.— towards £4000. household simply can't cope with that. you said speak to stepchange. _ can't cope with that. you said speak to stepchange, you _ can't cope with that. you said speak to stepchange, you know _ can't cope with that. you said speak to stepchange, you know how- can't cope with that. you said speak to stepchange, you know how to i can't cope with that. you said speak i to stepchange, you know how to take it forward. energy suppliers have a obligation to help. when you pick up the phone and make that call, what do you say and what should the energy supplier say back to you? what should customers expect?

because it is a very stressful issue to deal with. it because it is a very stressful issue to deal with-— to deal with. it is incredibly stressful — to deal with. it is incredibly stressful and _ to deal with. it is incredibly stressful and people i to deal with. it is incredibly i stressful and people shouldn't to deal with. it is incredibly - stressful and people shouldn't have to go through that on their own. the energy company should be talking to you, they should be absolutely sympathetic and supportive of your situation. they should be looking to identify if you have any additional vulnerabilities, if you are struggling with your mental health and if you have caring responsibilities or anything like that and ensuring they are helping you with that. they should be making sure that they are putting you on affordable repayments, doing assessments of what is affordable for you and not trying to make you pay in a way that is going to push you into poverty and destitution. if they can't help you, they should be referring you to organisations like stepchange, so we can give you that holistic guidance and advice on debts and other issues you have as well. . ., ., debts and other issues you have as well. . . . ., debts and other issues you have as well. . . ., ., ,, , ., well. richard lane from stepchange, thank ou well. richard lane from stepchange, thank you very _ well. richard lane from stepchange, thank you very much _ well. richard lane from stepchange, thank you very much indeed. - patients were evacuated after a fire broke out at aintree university hospital in liverpool this morning. emergency crews were called just after 4.30am with eight fire engines attending the scenes.

the fire is said to have started on the roof a three—storey building separate from the main hospital building. there are no reports of casualties. the interest rate on student loans in england is to be capped at 6.3% from september. it had been due to rise to 7.3%. the universities minister andrea jenkyns has said the smaller rise is to "provide support" amid the rising cost of living. the change won't affect graduates' monthly repayments, but will have an impact on the total amount they owe. the institute for fiscal studies said only a minority of top earners, who pay off their loans in full, would benefit. 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. our media and arts corrrespondent david sillito joins me now in the studio. just watching that, so much comes back, doesn't it? a lot of his story is around the snowman, still a fixture of christmas!— is around the snowman, still a fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon — fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon and _ fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon and it _ fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon and it has _ fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon and it has become i fixture of christmas! yes, they have this cartoon and it has become a i this cartoon and it has become a fixture every christmas and become part of christmas. quite how it's become part of christmas is more due to channel 4 than raymond briggs. of course, the career of aled jones when he sang the famous song. but i think what you probably have to think what you probably have to think about is that he's often been talked about as a children's author

and he's very much not a children's author and never considered himself author and never considered himself a children' author. if you look at his stories, they are about loss, nuclear war, his stories, they are about loss, nuclearwar, unhappiness. his stories, they are about loss, nuclear war, unhappiness. the utter misery of christmas if you happen to be father christmas. and i looked back, i couldn't quite remember when i started this morning what the plot of fungus the bogeyman was. and i remembered the details but he is a man having a midlife crisis. an existential crisis of what is a point of scaring people question that he starts with this what if the situation and the older you get, the more details you see. you will see a little reference to literature, you see lots of things that kids wouldn't be picking up on. i love in father christmas that all the posters in his home are of capri and malta. this is a man who loves the sunshine. he hates the winter! and you see it bit by bit and there is

not a single frame where there isn't something that tells you something about the character or about the plot. he elevated the idea of telling stories in a graphical way into great literature for many people. into great literature for many eo - le. , into great literature for many --eole. , , , . ., people. fungus is my favourite, i adored him! _ people. fungus is my favourite, i adored him! it— people. fungus is my favourite, i adored him! it shows _ people. fungus is my favourite, i adored him! it shows how- people. fungus is my favourite, i adored him! it shows how old i i people. fungus is my favourite, i i adored him! it shows how old i am... i would say he is ahead of his time because the equivalent today is shrek. what has his legacy been on animated storytelling?— animated storytelling? there are many people _ animated storytelling? there are many people who _ animated storytelling? there are many people who went _ animated storytelling? there are many people who went into i animated storytelling? there are many people who went into a i animated storytelling? there are i many people who went into a drawing, steve bell, cartoonist for the guardian, says he was an inspiration. of course, raymond briggs was himself a teacher as well. he taught for a while. and it was the fact that when he started this was frowned on as essentially trivial, not serious, not literature. and now you will go to a book shop and is there as literature. he is part of a much

bigger movement, but an integral part of saying, look, this is a great way of telling stories that can be read on many different levels. if you look at shrek, pixar, you realise they are talking to lots of people in different ways that everyone can get something out of it. �* ., . ~ everyone can get something out of it. �* . . ~ , it. back in his time, telling the darker side _ it. back in his time, telling the darker side of _ it. back in his time, telling the darker side of life, _ it. back in his time, telling the darker side of life, did - it. back in his time, telling the darker side of life, did he i it. back in his time, telling the darker side of life, did he havej it. back in his time, telling the i darker side of life, did he have a challenge convincing people that this is a good idea to take forward? oh, very much so. and the beginning of it really was the father christmas book that came out in 1973. i think there is an event that happens before that, the loss of his parents, the parents that he was very, very fond of. and it was in everything he did was this kind of strangely fantastical but everything rooted in the celebration of

everyday life, of the mundane tea of life as we all live it. the snowman and when the wind blows is part of everyday life and it feels magic but that's just because of the magic of the arts. b. that'sjust because of the magic of the arts. �* , . that'sjust because of the magic of thearts. m . , ., ., the arts. a perfect place to leave the arts. a perfect place to leave the chat. thank _ the arts. a perfect place to leave the chat. thank you. _ the arts. a perfect place to leave i the chat. thank you. remembering raymond briggs who has died at the age of 88. you are watching bbc news. 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 stopped fighting. now away from danger, the task begins to find 4,000 puppies their forever home. olivia otigbah, bbc news. dominos pizza, is to close down all its stores in italy. the us brand opened its first store in milan seven years ago. it expanded around the country, despite being shunned by traditionalists opposed to north american innovations — such as putting pineapple on pizzas. dominos says the coronavirus pandemic led to local pizza restaurants encroaching on their home delivery market. 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. the slackline measured 2 centimetres wide — the width of a postage stamp.

i will leave it there, shall i? you are watching bbc news. hello again. if you are looking for rain in the forecast, some might see some showers on sunday evening but more likely to break down next week. what we have is an amber met office extreme heat weather warning. it is a valid thursday to sunday and covers much of england and east wales. you canjust see it includes the isle of wight as well. it means be prepared. you might find for example some disruption to your travel arrangements. what we have todayis travel arrangements. 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 thicker cloud and later again, some rain. here we have gusty winds, so temperatures are 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 and clear skies, some patchy mist and fog forming. the weather front draped across the north and west of scotland bringing in some more rain which will be heavy at times and looking at a mild night for the most part. we have temperatures falling away between 9—17 degrees in cardiff. so it will become increasingly more uncomfortable for sleeping. high pressure remains in charge of our weather over the next few days, drifting eastwards, pulling in some of the warmer hot continental air and effectively keeping weather fronts at bay across the north west of scotland. on thursday, you can see where we have the rain and cloud but a lot of dry weather and at times there will be areas of low cloud coming onshore from the north sea. temperatures widely again from the mid 20s to the mid 30s but locally somewhere in the south, we could hit 35 or 36. on friday, any overnight mist or fog disperses quickly, some low cloud

coming onshore at times from the north sea and around the coast of northern ireland and cloud syncing further south in scotland will stop by the north temperatures will be lower that in the south, still the mid 30s fulsome of us. the outlet period remains settled into the weekend but remember some showers possible in sunday and as low pressure takes charge, things start to change. 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 that rain, some of us will see some thundery downpours.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the latest headlines at 11. millions of households in the uk owe energy companies more money than ever before as bills are set to increase further in october. ministers are due to hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the soaring cost of living crisis. do not negate the mental health damage that is being done to people in panic now across the nation and the political theatre. are you struggling to pay your energy bills? how are you preparing to cope with the hike in prices and what do you think the government should be doing to help you? we want to hear from you. you can find me on twitter — i'm @bbcjoannag. 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 beluga whale rescued from the river seine in northern france earlier has died despite a huge mission to try to save it and see it free. senior republicans in the us condemn the fbi's search of donald trump's florida home. the white house insists it only learned about the operation from media reports. # we're walking in the air.# 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 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 supplierfor 6 million uk households — announced their global profits in the last six months reached nearly £3.5 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 £2,000 per year, but its 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 subject to a windfall tax introduced this year by the government. the financial expert, martin lewis, told the bbc that people are going to need more support. we know this is coming. the thing that annoys me most when i hear politicians talk is they say we have to wait till we get the figures. when there was a political crisis, back in may, with borisjohnson, a reputational crisis, and they brought forward the announcement on energy bills, at that point they asked ofgem forforward guidance. it's published its forward guidance and they came up with proposals. there is nothing stopping them doing that again. we know almost exactly what is going to happen. within 5% now. we know the price cap rises i am talking about are accurate. that is coming. direct debits are going to start rising pretty much immediately on the 26th of august.

before the 5th of september. as soon as we know best, as soon as the announcement is made from ofgem on the 26th of august, that crystallises the direct debits going up. our business reporter noor nanji explains what's behind the sharp increase in energy prices. a lot of this is global. and that is partly due to the war in ukraine. essentially what we have is rising wholesale gas prices. these have been soaring in recent months because russia has been restricting the flow of gas through an essential pipeline through germany and other central european countries. it has raised concerns about availability and supplier energy right as we head into the crucial autumn and winter months. these are largely global forces. that is not going to be any comfort to households in the uk who are facing the prospect of much higher energy bills and are already starting to struggle with this. this

is all coming at a time when many families are already acing soaring costs, anything from food and energy as well. has been pushing inflation up as well. has been pushing inflation up higher and higher. as well. has been pushing inflation up higherand higher. is as well. has been pushing inflation up higher and higher. is the rate at which prices are rising. last week we had the bank of england warned it could hit more than 13%, said there could hit more than 13%, said there could be more pain to come. let's speak now to hannah absalom, she's a phd student in birmingham who's concerned about her bills going up. well can. thank you forjoining us. can you give us an overview of your financial situation?— financial situation? people having me. i am working _ financial situation? people having me. i am working part-time i financial situation? people having me. i am working part-time as i financial situation? people having me. i am working part-time as a | me. i am working part—time as a research associate while finishing off my phd which ironically involves researching the cycle of poverty. to be experiencing it is quite surreal in some ways. i am in a situation where i cannot work more than 15

hours a week because i am finishing off my thesis. i am earning £850 a month. i had known this is coming and have making cutbacks over the times of my studies. i had been doing things like buying electric clothing because i am planning on hitting myself rather than my property this winter. there is no more choices to be made. i do not qualify for universal credit because i am working full time and support from universities isn't quite accounting for how the crisis this is going to be for many people. it is going to be for many people. it sounds like, obviously, you had been planning on doing everything you can. you have said there are no more choices to be made. what do you mean by that? what position are you contemplating? for by that? what position are you contemplating?—

by that? what position are you contemplating? by that? what position are you contem-ilatin ? ., , contemplating? for the first time in m life i contemplating? for the first time in my life i am — contemplating? for the first time in my life i am going _ contemplating? for the first time in my life i am going to _ contemplating? for the first time in my life i am going to be _ contemplating? for the first time in my life i am going to be looking i contemplating? for the first time in my life i am going to be looking at i my life i am going to be looking at getting into debt, other than student debt. i had behaved in all of the ways you are supposed to in order to manage situations where you have less. there are no other option is for me apart from to look at getting into debt with the energy company because what else can i do? i need to be able to stay warm in winter. i am a medic cutting back because of their rising food prices. i know where to shop at lidl when there is more than likely to be 30% discounts. i slow cook food. all of these things that you do when you are living on a restricted income. i am doing then. to be in a position where i am studying this topic and living it, i can say professionally and experientially there are no

other choices to make apart to get into debt. �* ., , , ., into debt. and get into debt, you sa , with into debt. and get into debt, you say. with the _ into debt. and get into debt, you say, with the energy _ into debt. and get into debt, you say, with the energy companies. | into debt. and get into debt, you i say, with the energy companies. only do you do that? are you talking about limiting what you pay per month come what me in terms of how the bills go?— the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and — the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and is— the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and is it. _ the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and is it. there _ the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and is it. there is _ the bills go? yes. they can have £95 a month and is it. there is nothing i a month and is it. there is nothing as for me to cut back on. i am at the end of what i can offer. i will pay what i can pay but i cannot pay anything more than that. there is nothing left to cut back on. share anything more than that. there is nothing left to cut back on. are you concerned about _ nothing left to cut back on. are you concerned about the _ nothing left to cut back on. are you concerned about the potential i concerned about the potential ramifications of that, what the energy company might do? mr; ramifications of that, what the energy company might do? my credit ratin: is energy company might do? my credit rating is potentially _ energy company might do? my credit rating is potentially going _ energy company might do? my credit rating is potentially going to - energy company might do? my credit rating is potentially going to be i rating is potentially going to be damaged from this. there is the personal ramifications financially. i do not inquiry are talking enough

about the psychological and emotional effects of what will be happening with people. there is plenty of psychology research that evidence is things like increases in mental health problems and it can be long—term mental health problems and physical problems as well. there is going to be emotional and psychological rip allowance from this that are beyond my concern about my credit rating. this needs to be looked at as well and the consequences of this for more people is going to be socially harmful. it is going to be socially harmful. it is notjust is going to be socially harmful. it is not just a is going to be socially harmful. it is notjust a matter of a short—term lack of money, there are the long—term effects of living for a long—term effects of living for a long period with these types of impossible choices to make. that needs to be acknowledged and understood. needs to be acknowledged and understood-— needs to be acknowledged and understood. ., ,, . ., understood. thank you so much for “oinini understood. thank you so much for joining us- — understood. thank you so much for joining us. thank _ understood. thank you so much for joining us. thank you. _

understood. thank you so much for joining us. thank you. if— understood. thank you so much for joining us. thank you. if you i understood. thank you so much for joining us. thank you. if you want i joining us. thank you. if you want to get in touch and be part of this conversation, go to twitter. liz truss has been speaking about this. i understand it is very difficult for people. people are facing higher fuel bills and higher food for people. people are facing higher fuel bills and higherfood bills. what i would do immediately traverse the national insurance increase, had a temporary moratorium on the green energy levy to cut fuel bills and also work to increase energy supply. that is the issue. we have a shortage of supply of energy. we need to get on with that, get more gas from the north sea, we need to look at fracking and bring no supplies on stream. everyone would airee supplies on stream. everyone would agree there — supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is _ supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is a _ supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is a supply _ supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is a supply problem i supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is a supply problem but| agree there is a supply problem but that takes_ agree there is a supply problem but that takes time. tax cuts are any good _ that takes time. tax cuts are any good for— that takes time. tax cuts are any good for taxpayers. it wouldn't help the pensioners, 45% of whom are on

state _ the pensioners, 45% of whom are on state pension. next january almost half their— state pension. next january almost half their pension will go on energy bills _ half their pension will go on energy bills it _ half their pension will go on energy bills. it won't help the millions who do— bills. it won't help the millions who do not pay tax.— bills. it won't help the millions who do not pay tax. keeping taxes low is vitally _ who do not pay tax. keeping taxes low is vitally important. _ who do not pay tax. keeping taxes low is vitally important. that i who do not pay tax. keeping taxes low is vitally important. that is i who do not pay tax. keeping taxesj low is vitally important. that is my priority. with a growing economy more money coming into the government coffers. we are able to do more to invest in our infrastructure, investing our public services, but also put more money into people's pockets right across the country. pensioners are, through pensions, investing in science parks like this and that is what i want to do. unlike the opportunities, unlocks the growth and increase energy supplies and help people firstly through reducing taxes. what is wrong is taking money from people in taxes and then giving it back to them with benefits. that is gordon brown style economics and i do not support that. you brown style economics and i do not support that-— support that. you are ruling out cash payments _ support that. you are ruling out cash payments in _ support that. you are ruling out cash payments in whatever i support that. you are ruling out| cash payments in whatever form support that. you are ruling out i cash payments in whatever form to people and you will only help people

through tax cuts. that people and you will only help people through tax cuts.— through tax cuts. that is not what i said. i through tax cuts. that is not what i said- i said — through tax cuts. that is not what i said- i said my _ through tax cuts. that is not what i said. i said my priority _ through tax cuts. that is not what i said. i said my priority list - through tax cuts. that is not what i said. i said my priority list making | said. i said my priority list making sure we are not taking many of people and giving it back to them later on. i believe in people keeping their own money and in a low tax economy. i am not going to announce the contents of a budget in the future at this stage in august but i can assure people i will do all i can to make sure that energy is affordable and that you get through this winter. rachel gregory, senior external affairs manager at the debt charity christians against poverty uk. thank you forjoining us. what are you seeing three or charity? the situation that _ you seeing three or charity? tue situation that hannah you seeing three or charity? tte: situation that hannah described just before that clip of liz truss so powerfully is happening throughout the uk. we have 300 front line debt centres. calls to our helpline, we have been busiest in the first

vehemence of this year than we have ever been including during pandemic. —— the first months. households are in debt by £200 already. the forecast is incredibly worrying. lots of people have had you'll bills which have already doubled. people are struggling with debt, notjust energy but across household bills are now struggling to keep up with rising costs. really cutting back already. they are having to give out huge of emergency food top up vouchers, phone top up vouchers. hearing from a client this week who had not done the chopping two months because they had no money left after the rent is paid and energy bills are paid. in an absolute situation of destitution.— of destitution. this is in the summer— of destitution. this is in the summer when _ of destitution. this is in the summer when energy i of destitution. this is in the |

summer when energy levels of destitution. this is in the i summer when energy levels can of destitution. this is in the - summer when energy levels can be lowest. what are you thinking about for the winter?— for the winter? yes, absolutely. in jul . for the winter? yes, absolutely. in jul , in for the winter? yes, absolutely. in july. in their— for the winter? yes, absolutely. in july, in their month _ for the winter? yes, absolutely. in july, in their month of _ for the winter? yes, absolutely. in july, in their month of the - july, in their month of the heatwave, we gave up more emergency fuel top up vouchers and injanuary this year. the looking ahead to winter, it will be worse. people are out of options and people have cut back everything they plan to the bone. reality is they do not have enough livable income. we know there are some payments coming to people this winter. every household will receive £400 on energy bills and payments for people on means tested benefits. we are hearing from clients already that the first instalment of those payments that come in are swallowed up and the scale of the extra costs people are saving completely dwarfs the

payments and we need support to make sure we do not see this wave of destitution where people cannot keep warm this winter, like they need to. you are talking about help through the front line centres. the top up for energy bills, mobile phones can help with the chops. the amount you can give out, is it limitless? at what point does pressure on your own charity become a problem. brute what point does pressure on your own charity become a problem.— charity become a problem. we work throu:h a charity become a problem. we work through a network— charity become a problem. we work through a network of— charity become a problem. we work through a network of partner - through a network of partner churches. we would love to hear from more churches he would love to support their local communities at this time. our sector is under pressure. what we do is provide advice for people struggling with debt to help them become debt free.

there are certainly also other sources and specialist advice people can benefit from this moment in time, particularly through their energy supply and help to restructure their debt repayment. it means they will be looking at people's ability to pay, agreeing an affordable repayment plan and there is a registered people can go on to where there will be extra help to make sure they are not disconnected. on the government website there is information about energy efficiency measures. there is still time to help bring down their costs. on the whole we know many people will still find it very difficult this winter. we will be here to help and support people, we are urging the government to do more to make sure we do not see people in that situation and the

first place. see people in that situation and the first lace. ., ~ see people in that situation and the first lace. . ~ i. , see people in that situation and the first lace. ., ~' ,, , . first place. thank you very much indeed for _ first place. thank you very much indeed forjoining _ first place. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. _ first place. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. as - first place. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. as rachel| first place. thank you very much i indeed forjoining us. as rachel was saying, there is help out there. she mentioned the priority services register for people who really are extremely worried about and unable to pay energy bills. there is help available online and also we would like you to be part of that conversation here on bbc news if you want to get in touch. a beluga whale which became stranded in the seine river in northern france has died during an attempt to save it. the whale had been removed from the water in the first stage of a rescue operation by marine experts. the ambitious task took nearly six hours and about eighty people to lift the 800 kilo animal from the river. the authorities say the whale had to be put down while being transported. 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 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. helen briggs reports. 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. the interest rate on student loans in england is to be loans in england is to be capped at 6.3% from september. it had been due to rise to 7.3%. the universities minister andrea jenkyns has said the smaller rise is to "provide support" amid the rising cost of living. the change won't affect graduates' monthly repayments, but will have an impact on the total amount they owe. the institute for fiscal studies said only a minority of top earners who pay off their loans in full would benefit. 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 the end, the snowman melts. # we're walking in the air...# very, very raymond briggs twist. he was a children's author who wasn't really writing for children. strip cartoon, raymond briggs, children's department. that's been the attitude in england. strip cartoon, children's book. we are 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 in most of my things, is have something that's fantastical, like father christmas, like fungus, and imagine it to be

holy 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, right mix and leaf—flavoured yuck. raymond briggs studied at the slade school of art. he 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. the story of a couple's attempts to follow government advice in a nuclear attack. i have never heard such language in all of my life. for god's sake, shut up! oh, dear.

i've left the oven on. get in, get in. the cake will be burned. lie down. come on, dear, get in. 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. at £825, can we afford the mortgage business? it was a depiction of the life and death of a couple. ethel, his mother, lady's maid, ernest and his father, a milkman. good morning, madam. just to keep up my clean step, young man. ijust thought my mum and dad were in the room. i spent the whole of the two days of recording in tears you know, just... i thought, there they were.

almost looking round to say, hello, dad, are you there? when he began his comic art was frowned on by his art teachers. by the end raymond breaks had done much to change attitudes with those charming drawings and the slightly subversive stories. let's speak now to nicolettejones, author and children's book reviewer for the sunday times. she's known raymond briggs for at least 20 years and has written two books about him. she's also co—curated an exhibition about him which is currently touring. welcome. thank you very much for joining us. welcome. thank you very much for “oinini us. ., ~ welcome. thank you very much for “oinini us. . ,, i. welcome. thank you very much for joining us-_ my - welcome. thank you very much for| joining us._ my pleasure. joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would — joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would you _ joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would you sum _ joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would you sum him _ joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would you sum him up? i joining us. thank you. my pleasure. how would you sum him up? his. how would you sum him up? his favourite how would you sum him up? f! 3 favourite summing up was the one his step granddaughter connie used and thatis step granddaughter connie used and that is what he wanted on his gravestone. he said, raymond is not a normal person. i think there was an eccentricity about him. he was extremely sane and reasonable. but he was unusual. unusual because he was very successful and he never sold the house that he originally bought. he never bought a snazzy car. he bought some of his close

from second—hand close shops and so on. he did not need to do that sort of thing. he did not seek fame. he was quite a shy man, a private person. yes, he was also... he had a reputation for being a bit rough and grumpy. he said, i had a reputation of being a grumpy old salt to maintain and sometimes it is quite difficult. he was absolutely underneath extremely good—hearted and gentle, hospitable, and obliging person. he liked to come up as a bit of imagine. person. he liked to come up as a bit of imagine-— of imagine. new paint such a wonderful— of imagine. new paint such a wonderful picture _ of imagine. new paint such a wonderful picture of- of imagine. new paint such a| wonderful picture of someone of imagine. new paint such a i wonderful picture of someone who of imagine. new paint such a - wonderful picture of someone who you had the privilege of seeing close. what are your strongest memories of him? ~ , ., .,

what are your strongest memories of him? . , ., . , him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in — him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in 2003, _ him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in 2003, we _ him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in 2003, we used - him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in 2003, we used to i him? well, when i first wrote a book about him in 2003, we used to go i him? well, when i first wrote a book. about him in 2003, we used to go out to lunch to talk about it, in theory. after about four questions, raymond got quite bored and wanted to talk about what he heard on the radio this morning or someone else's work he had come across. what i remember most is this rather self—effacing person. he always talked down his own achievement, right from art school where he would compare his work to things in the national gallery thinking they looked rather mean, small and feeble. everyone else recognised him as doing something quite extraordinary, this balance of pathos and humour he managed injust about everything. he never really valued it. my memory is of him shrugging off his own talent. hora shrugging off his own talent. how did he feel than _ shrugging off his own talent. how did he feel than about the enormous commercial success, most

particularly of the snowman? t commercial success, most particularly of the snowman? i think his attitude was, _ particularly of the snowman? i think his attitude was, is _ particularly of the snowman? i think his attitude was, is this _ particularly of the snowman? i think his attitude was, is this me, - his attitude was, is this me, really? when there was a huge queue injapan for really? when there was a huge queue injapanforan really? when there was a huge queue injapan for an exhibition of his work. i remember him saying, who are they queueing for? yes, the commercial success of the snowman, he had reservations about the snowman. he thought it was tiresome that it was on every christmas and so on. he used to say, oh, god, not that bloody thing! in fact he collected all the memorabilia and their spin offs so at some level he must have been glad of it. the television version, the animation, is quite different from the original wordless book. apart from anything else introduced christmas and father christmas. the book was originally set after christmas because it doesn't often snow in sussex until january, quite rare for it to snow at christmas. in a way the animation

didn't quite represent what the book was about, which was acquired book, about a friendship and father figure who disappears. its, about a friendship and father figure who disappears-— who disappears. a real 'oy to talk to ou. i who disappears. a real 'oy to talk to you. i love h who disappears. a real 'oy to talk to you. i love the i who disappears. a realjoy to talk to you. i love the epitaph, - who disappears. a realjoy to talk. to you. i love the epitaph, raymond is not a normal person. thank you forjoining us and bringing as your memories. my forjoining us and bringing as your memories-— forjoining us and bringing as your memories. g , . , ., ,, , ., 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's going to be dry for most of us as well. you can see today, a lot of dry weather, a lot of sunshine. sunnier across the north—west for the large part of the day before a weather front introduces thicker cloud and eventually some spots of rain. here too gusty winds and here temperatures 16 to 19 degrees. widely, we are looking at mid 20s to lower 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 can't see it, it also includes the isle of wight. so it means be prepared. you might find some disruption to travel and transport, for example, and it may affect you if you are vulnerable. into thursday, then, a lot of dry weather, a lot of sunshine when we lose the mist in the morning, but more rain coming in across the north and west. so cooler here. tomorrow's top temperatures getting up to 32, 33, possibly 36. hello, this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the headlines. millions of households in the uk owe energy companies more money than ever before, as bills are set to increase further in october. ministers are due to hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the soaring 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 beluga whale rescued from the river seine in northern france earlier, has died, despite a huge mission to try to save it and see it free. senior republicans in the us condemn the fbi's search of donald trump's florida home. the white house insists it only learned about the operation from media reports. the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic, the snowman, has died, aged 88. sport, and now for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, good morning. the final tennis grand slam of the year is just around the corner, and as the build up to the us open gathers pace, serena williams could be playing one of the final matches of her career later. she faces olympic champion

belinda bencic in canada, days after getting her first win for more than a year, and after saying she'll "evolve away" from tennis after the us open. some of her fellow professionals have been reacting to the news. i grew igrew up i grew up watching her. that is the reason why i play tennis. tennis being predominately white sport, it definitely helped a lot. i saw somebody who looked like me dominating the game and it made me believe i could dominate too. and then my dad, for her whole story, then my dad, for her whole story, the williams sisters story, notjust serena, but mr williams and all that he has done for both of them, inspired my dad to continue to coach me, even though he did not have much tennis experience. he was like, if mr williams can do it, i can. the acrimony in the golfing world continues, after three players from the breakaway liv series lost a court bid against the pga tour, to play in the fedex cup play—offs. the bbc�*s golf correspondent

iain carter explains. taylor gold, hudson swafford and mattjones were seeking a temporary restraining offered to allow them to play the pga tour play—off series. however, a judge in sanjose ruled against them, saying the contract they signed with the saudi funded liv golf series, took account of what they were leaving behind. the $75 million play—offs begin in memphis on thursday, and run for three tournaments. a trial date to fight the wider to a suspension is in place has been set for august next year. meanwhile, the world number two, cameron smith, continues to be linked with a move to the liv series. the australian won the first major of his career at the open at st andrews last month. he's been linked with a move to the saudi—funded series for some time. speaking ahead of the start of the fedexcup playoffs, smith refused to be drawn on the speculation. my my goal here is to win the fedexcup

play—offs. that is all i am here for. if there is something i need to say regarding the pga tour or live golf, it will come from cameron smith, not cameron percy. i am a man of my word. whenever you guys need to know anything, it will be said by me. it was a rivalry that dominated british boxing in the early 90s — the feud between nigel benn and chris eubank. now — 30 years later — their sons, conor benn and chris eubankjunior, are set to meet at london's o2 arena. eubank and benn senior fought twice, with eubank winning the first fight in 1990, while the second, three years later, ended in a split decision draw. their iconic rivalry generated huge interest, with more than 15 million people watching the 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. the british 400m hurdler, lina nielsen, says sport has been her saviour, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

the 26—year—old decided to talk about her diagnosis, after she was left unable to compete to her usual standards at last month's world championships, when she became aware of a relapse of symptoms. here she is finishing last in her heat. here she is competing at the commonwealth games, missing out on the final of the 400 metres hurdles in birmingham. she was first diagnosed with relapsing remitting ms when she was 17 years old. a lot of people think it's really bad and that you will always be debilitated, but actually, i think in a way sport has been my saviour. having movement and things like that, i believe that helps with recovery. ijust want that, i believe that helps with recovery. i just want to show that you can recover. and i think it shouldn't all be so pessimistic, i think. that's all the sport for now. thank you.

a day after donald trump condemned the search of his home in florida by fbi agents, he's released a slick, campaign—style video that analysts say is the strongest hint yet that he intends to run for president in 2024. several leading republicans have joined in his accusations that he was the victim of a democrat—led witch—hunt. chi chi izundu reports from florida. last night, dinner with about a dozen house of republican members. a show of solidarity from donald trump's party. unprecedented is how this is being described, because no other united states of america president has had their home researched 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 in 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 american people are awake. we are not woke, we are awake. we know what's going on. it was a fishing expedition. we have to stand up for our rights and our freedoms, because they are being eroded. what the fbi were looking for they haven't detailed, but, according to eric trump, its related to the removal of official documents from the white house after his father left the office. we are a nation in decline. 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 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 mid—term elections and there are murmurs that this action by the fbi could in fact have actually boosted support for donald trump. chi chi uzundu, bbc news. for more, i'm joined by cbs correspondent trinity chavez in new york. trinity, what reaction to those suggestions that his raid could actually propel donald trump's move towards the white house in 2024? route towards the white house in 2024? we will towards the white house in 2024? a will talk about that in a minute, but right now, there is an ongoing investigation, so we will likely learn more details as the investigation unfolds. this is what we know. law enforcement officials say it was about 45 minute before the fbi showed up. the local fbi field office in miami give the

secret service team in mar—a—lago a heads up, but sources say the fbi agents did not notify anybody on the mar—a—lago staff until the fbi agents were arriving. when they did arrive, the agents were escorted to arrive, the agents were escorted to a property by the secret service and thatis a property by the secret service and that is when a general manager called eric trump. he called his father to tell him about the site. trump lawyers were at the location at the time. agents allegedly opened trump a's safe, which remained in the office for most of the day. the former president was in new york earlier this week, spotted at trump tower. the former president referenced the fbi raided during a rally for sarah palin, telling listeners it was another day in paradise and this was a strange day. we are learning this was not the first time federal agents had been in mar—a—lago. they went first in spring. according to sources, the department ofjustice had started a grand jury investigation in may about alleged mishandling of classified information. president trump issued a new statement calling

the whole search a horrible thing. where does it leave them suggestions around what might happen in terms of his intention to run in 2024?- his intention to run in 2024? again, there has been _ his intention to run in 2024? again, there has been mixed _ his intention to run in 2024? again, there has been mixed reaction i his intention to run in 2024? again, there has been mixed reaction from both sides of the aisle following the raid, especially in the one hand republicans standing with trump micro and calling for an investigation into the investigation of trump's property. the investigation is also feeling in allegations that trump is a target in a witchhunt. even though trump nominated the fbi director who endorsed the search. president biden had no knowledge of the search. trump is getting some support from an unlikely source, former new york governor andrew cuomo, who said the reason for the search must be explained or it will be viewed as politically motivated. again, this is really going to give trump the opportunity here to see how this

investigation unfolds, and of course, it is dependent on what we find during this investigation, what authorities are willing to share. again, the fbi is not obligated to share any of these findings with the public, at least not at this time, and so it is really going to be dependent on what we find out during this investigation as far as, will he run in 202a? how will that affect the campaign? i would imagine it would be a tumultuous campaign considering that this is an ongoing investigation, especially because we would probably find out more information along the way as we head into that campaign, if he does decide to run for president in 202a. thank you. trinity chabbey from cbs. 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 i2%, 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. the headlines on bbc news... 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 beluga whale rescued from the river seine in northern france earlier has died despite a huge mission to try to save it and see it free. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has said the war in ukraine began with crimea and must end with its liberation. referring to the russian seizure of the peninsula in 2014, he said crimea remained ukrainian and will never be given up. mr zelensky was speaking in his nightly address, just hours after a string of explosions hit a russian airbase on crimea, killing one person. ukrainian officials said their armed forces had not claimed responsibility. sylvia lennan spence reports. explosions

running for cover in russian—controlled crimea. children nervously urging their mother to flee the area. homes were hit in novofedorivka, which neighbours a russian airbase where the blasts occurred. translation: when the explosions happened - we were hiding behind garages. we didn't know where to go. we abandoned the apartment immediately, ran away, just grabbed water and that was it. visiting the airbase, the head of the russia—appointed regional administration spoke about the incident. translation: the situation is under control. _ only the houses next to the military airfield will be evacuated. we will not leave anyone without help. russia says ammunition was detonated. ukraine's military sarcastically reminded russia on facebook of its fire safety rules and the ban of smoking in unsettled places. but an adviser to ukraine's

president flatly denied responsibility, though his desire to retake the peninsula remains. translation: this russian war against ukraine, - in a free europe, startedl in crimea and has to end in crimea, with its liberation. it is impossible to say when it will happen, i but we are getting there. many fear the consequences of a ukrainian attack in crimea would be severe. over the past two months, russia has accused ukraine of firing on black sea oil drilling platforms in crimean waters, and of a drone attack on their naval facility in sevastopol. if this latest incident was found to have been a ukrainian attack, it would be deemed a significant escalation in an already bitter war. sylvia lennan—spence, bbc news. and some breaking news to bring you. the group of seven industrialised nations has condemned russia's occupation of the zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and called on moscow to immediately

hand back full control of the plant to ukraine. in a statement, g7 foreign ministers say ukrainian staff operating the plant "must be able to carry out their duties without threats or pressure. it is russia's continued control of the plant that endangers the region". former inmates have spoken to the bbc about being systematically raped and tortured in russian prisons. leaked footage of such abuse was circulated by an insider last year, and now victims have told the bbc why it happens and how they are fighting for justice. the bbc asked the russian prison service for a response, but received no reply. oleg boldyrev has the story — and a warning that some of the material in this report is very disturbing. shouting in 2020, this prison protest in siberia led to hundreds of inmates being rounded up. human rights activists say that at least 300 of them were then beaten and tortured.

dinis was among them. what happened still haunts him. translation: the prison officers told me, "do you think we care i whether you are guilty or not?" the heating went on for almost three months, every day. if a man is mentally broken, he will do anything. now dinis is one of the few victims who is prepared to testify against prison staff. systemic torture in russian prisons has long been rumoured. proof came last year in russia's largest leaked cache of torture videos from the notorious saratov prison hospital. staff are said to use hardened prisoners, so—called kapos, to do their dirty work in exchange for privileges. a prisoner named sergei savelyev had smuggled them out on his release and published them with an activist in france. the activist, vladimir osechkin,

explains what's happening. translation: they are giving signs to each other, _ acting in silent concert, understanding each other even without words. because they are following the well—established system. he gives signs on how to rape him. this will surprise no one. it's just that we've never actually seen it before. the bbc has analysed thousands of court documents and found that from 2015—2019, 41 members of the prison service were convicted in the most serious prisoner abuse trials. almost half of them were only handed suspended sentences. the videos forced the replacements of two senior prison officials and president putin promised further change. last month, russian law was strengthened, making it illegal

to extract evidence using torture. but challenging russian authorities still carries risks. despite being a recognised victim of torture, dinis is still worried about reprisals. but he is determined to fight forjustice. oleg boldyrev, bbc news, russia. and you can see more about this bbc eye investigation on the bbc news website hundreds of people using sham marriages to stay in the uk post—brexit, have not been prosecuted or removed from the country. bbc news has obtained figures showing 365 couples have tried to exploit the scheme, which gives eu citizens and their spouses the right to remain in the uk. nobody has been removed in the past two years, and the last prosecution was four years ago. domino's pizza is to close down all its stores in italy. the us brand opened its first store

in milan seven years ago. it expanded around the country despite being shunned by traditionalists opposed to north american innovations, such as putting pineapple on pizzas. domino's says the coronavirus pandemic led to local pizza restaurants encroaching on their home delivery market. 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. a,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 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. 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. wow. we know it ended well. but watching that live must have been stressful. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. if you are looking for rain, some might see thundery

showers on sunday evening. the weather is more likely to break down next week. we have an amber met office extreme heat weather warning valid from thursday to sunday and covering much of england and wiest —— east wales. it includes the isle of wight as well. it means being prepared. you might find some disruption to your travel arrangements. what we have today is arrangements. what we have today is a lot of dry weather, a lot of strong sunshine. towards the west eventually some of the sunshine will turn hazy as a weather front brings in thicker cloud and later, summer rain. here we have gusty winds, so temperatures are a little bit lower. widely we are looking at the high 20s to mid 30s. overnight, a lot of dry weather and clear skies. the weather front draped across the north and west of scotland bringing in more rain, which will be heavy at times, and we're looking at him mild night for the most part. temperatures falling away between nine and 17 degrees in cardiff. it

is going to become increasingly more uncomfortable for sleeping. is going to become increasingly more uncomfortable forsleeping. high uncomfortable for sleeping. high pressure uncomfortable forsleeping. high pressure remains in charge in the next few days, drifting eastwards, pulling in of the very warm hot continental air, and keeping weather fronts at bay across the north west of scotland. on thursday you can see where we have got the rain and the cloud. at times areas of low cloud coming in from the north sea. temperatures widely again from the mid 20s to the mid 30s. locally somewhere in the south we could hit 35 or 36. on friday, any overnight mist and fog will disperse. low cloud coming onshore at times from the north sea and around the coast of northern ireland. the cloud syncing further south across scotland. in the north, temperatures will be lower. in the south, still the mid 30s. the outlook period remains settled into the weekend, but remember, some thundery showers are possible during sunday evening.

as low pressure takes charge, things start to change. as we head into the early part of next week, what we are looking at is temperatures going down, and the chance of some rain. as well as that rain, some will see thundery downpours.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the latest headlines... millions of households in the uk owe energy companies more money than ever before as bills are set to increase further in october. ministers are due to hold talks with energy giants to discuss rising prices, profits and measures to ease the soaring cost of living crisis. do not negate the mental health damage that is being done to people in panic now across the nation and the political theatre. are you struggling to pay your energy bills? how are you preparing to cope with the hike in prices and what do you think the government should be doing to help you. we want to hear from you. you can find me on twitter — i'm @bbcjoannag. all children in london aged between one and nine will be offered

a polio booster vaccine after more traces of the virus are found in the capital's waste water. 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 beluga whale rescued from the river seine in northern france earlier has died, despite a huge mission to try to save it and set it free. # we're walking in the air.# 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 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 6 million uk households, announced their global profits in the last six months reached nearly £3.5 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 pounds 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 subject to a windfall tax introduced this year by the government. the financial expert, martin lewis, told the bbc that people are going to need more support. we know this is coming. the thing that annoys me most when politicians talk is when they say, we had to wait to get the figures. when there was a political crisis in may with borisjohnson, a reputational crisis, and they brought forward the announcement on energy bills, they went to ofgem for guidance. there is nothing stopping them doing that again. we know almost exactly what will happen. within 5% now. we know the price cap rises are accurate thatis the price cap rises are accurate that is coming. direct debits are going to start rising pretty much immediately on the 26th of august,

before the 5th of september. as soon as the announcement is made from ofgem, that crystallises the direct debits going up. richard neudegg, director of regulation at uswitch, told us more about the debts owed by energy customers. the level of debt has increased. the overall number of people with no credit at the moment has fallen. the 14 million household total had no debt to a supplier or have any credit. we are having to look down the barrel of a gun. september into october, people will have letters on the doorsteps projecting huge increases two monthly direct debits.

this is the highest level we have been tracking. the real significance is the point in the year we are at in summer, at a point where energy usage is really no. i suspect this will get significantly much more difficult with higher levels of debt as we get into winter where you will see usage really spike. we are really worried about that in terms of implications for households and what it means if you are being pushed onto prepayment metres where there is a higher disconnection risk and everything else. this winter will be incredibly difficult for energy unless there is a much greater scale of government response thanis greater scale of government response than is currently on the table. earlier today the conservative leadership contender liz truss shared her strategy on how she plans to help people with the rising energy costs. i understand it is very, very difficult for people. people are facing higher fuel

bills, higherfood bills. what i would immediately is reverse the national insurance increase, keeping more money in people's pockets, also have a temporary moratorium on the green energy levy to cut fuel bills. also work to increase energy supply. that's what the issue is. we've got shortage of supply of energy. we need to get on with that, get more gas from the north sea, we need to look at fracking in parts of the country that support that and we need to get on with bringing their supplies on stream. everyone would agree there is a supply problem. that takes time. the problem with tax cuts is that only helps taxpayers. that wouldn't help pensioners, 45% of whom are on a state pension. nextjanuary, that is going to be half their pension going on energy bills. it won't help the millions who don't even pay any tax. keeping taxes low is vitally important for growing our economy and avoiding a recession. that is my priority. with a growing economy, there is more money coming

into government coffers. we are able to do more to invest in our infrastructure, investing our public services, but also put more money into peoples pockets right across the country. pensioners are, through pensions, investing in science parks like this, and that's what i want to do. i want to unlock those opportunities, unlock the growth, increase energy supplies and help people firstly through reducing taxes. what is wrong is taking money from people in taxes and then giving it back to them in benefits. that is gordon brown style economics and i don't support that. you are ruling out cash payments in whatever form to people and you will only help people through tax cuts? that's not what i said. 0k. what i said is my priority is not taking many off people and getting it back to them later on. i believe in people keeping their own money and i believe in a low tax economy. that's the way we going to drive growth. i'm not going to announce

the contents of the budget in the future at this stage in august but i can assure people i will do all i can to make sure that energy is affordable and that they get through this winter. earlier, i spoke to hannah absalom, a phd student in birmingham. she shared her concerns about her bills going up. iam i am working part time while studying a phd into the cycle of poverty. researching and experiencing it is surreal in some ways. i am experiencing it is surreal in some ways. iam in experiencing it is surreal in some ways. i am in a situation where i cannot work more than 15 hours a week because am finishing up my thesis. i am earning £850 a month. i have known this has been coming and i had been making cutbacks over the times of my studies. i then giving insight buying electric clothing,

planning on eating myself rather than my property this winter. —— heating myself. there are no more choices to be made. i do not qualify for universal credit because i am working full time and support from universities is not accounting for how big a crisis this is going to be for many people. lats how big a crisis this is going to be for many maple-— how big a crisis this is going to be for many people. lots of you getting in touch to telus _ for many people. lots of you getting in touch to telus about _ for many people. lots of you getting in touch to telus about your- in touch to telus about your situation. and has got in touch and said she is concerned about her mum because she has to run expensive electric use equipment which is making it very expensive. her mum is on a 24—hour oxygen machine. she also has a hospital bed and a hoist in one room. she says her mother's electric bill is horrendous and they are dreading the next price increases. there is no way her mum

will be able to pay it. she said she is speaking for thousands of people and hopes there will be a special tariff for people who do not have the added burden of having to pay for running medical equipment around the clock. richard has got in touch i do not know howl the clock. richard has got in touch i do not know how i am going to survive these increases. i am thinking of not paying that worrying about being cut off. michelle, i hope help will be considered for rural households using heating oil. the £400 will be taken off my electricity bill but this would be more useful to use against heating oil costs. neville, my flat is all electric. i only use energy i had to. i do not watch tv and i do not have hot water on. this is much cheaper. i would take energy companies into public ownership. to keep those coming in.

let's speak now to stuart lane, he lives in aylesbury with his wife and children — he's concerned about his energy prices rising. what is your situation? my fixed-price _ what is your situation? m fixed—price deal is coming what is your situation? m1 fixed—price deal is coming to an and. most people have been looking around for the best deals and there are not a lot of comparison sites around at the moment. my current energy provider has provided me with the cheapest quote, around a £300 increase a month, which is absolutely frightening considering it is expected to go up injanuary as well. it is expected to go up in january as well. �* , ., it is expected to go up in january as well. �* ,, ., it is expected to go up in january as well. �* , ., ., ., it is expected to go up in january as well. �* i. ., ., , ., , ., as well. are you going to be able to afford that? — as well. are you going to be able to afford that? it — as well. are you going to be able to afford that? it will— as well. are you going to be able to afford that? it will put _ as well. are you going to be able to afford that? it will put extreme - afford that? it will put extreme ressure afford that? it will put extreme pressure on — afford that? it will put extreme pressure on the _ afford that? it will put extreme pressure on the family. - afford that? it will put extreme pressure on the family. like . afford that? it will put extreme i pressure on the family. like most people, with children living at home. things like school holidays, more electricity is being used, working from home. with winter

coming up, we know all our bills go up coming up, we know all our bills go up in winter anyway. the central heating comes on. we may go back to as it were as children, if you were cold you have to put a jumper on instead. cold you have to put a 'umper on instead. �* , ., ., ~ ., cold you have to put a 'umper on instead. �* i. ., ~ ., i. instead. are you talking to your kids about _ instead. are you talking to your kids about how— instead. are you talking to your kids about how to _ instead. are you talking to your kids about how to manage - instead. are you talking to your - kids about how to manage electricity use and gas use? it is kids about how to manage electricity use and gas use?— use and gas use? it is something we handle had conversations _ use and gas use? it is something we handle had conversations around. i handle had conversations around. unfortunately, with our current lives but most about the use is digital now and does include use of electricity. digital now and does include use of electrici . electricity. looking further forward. — electricity. looking further forward. you _ electricity. looking further forward, you mention - electricity. looking further forward, you mention the | electricity. looking further - forward, you mention the £300 increase per month now and it is projected to go higher. at what point you get to the stage where you simply cannot make it work? potentially, obviously, when it gets to january, if we see another £300, we could in effect be talking about

my wife's and higher wages just paying for gas and electricity bills. ~ ., ., ., , , , ., bills. wow! that really puts it into context, doesn't _ bills. wow! that really puts it into context, doesn't it? _ bills. wow! that really puts it into context, doesn't it? it _ bills. wow! that really puts it into context, doesn't it? it does. - context, doesn't it? it does. obviously. _ context, doesn't it? it does. obviously, we're _ context, doesn't it? it does. obviously, we're in - context, doesn't it? it does. obviously, we're in a - context, doesn't it? it does. l obviously, we're in a position context, doesn't it? it does. - obviously, we're in a position where everything else is massively expensive at the moment when inflation, petrol. it is coming to a point where so many people, you know, notjust like myself, but people who were fairly know, not just like myself, but people who were fairly comfortable going to be pushed closer and closer to the poverty line and then there is going to be a choice. i don't even want to consider what it means for elderly parents. pare even want to consider what it means for elderly parents.— for elderly parents. are you worried about them? _ for elderly parents. are you worried about them? 100%. _ for elderly parents. are you worried about them? 100%. you _ for elderly parents. are you worried about them? 100%. you have - for elderly parents. are you worried l about them? 100%. you have parents about them? 10096. you have parents livin on about them? 10096. you have parents living on their — about them? 10096. you have parents living on their own. _ about them? 10096. you have parents living on their own. they _ about them? 10096. you have parents living on their own. they are - about them? 10096. you have parents living on their own. they are at - about them? 10096. you have parents living on their own. they are at an - living on their own. they are at an age but they do not work and they live off pensions, etc. where potentially you could get to a point where your parents are using their entire pension paying for gas and

electricity. ludicrous to think we could put people in the position where they had to choose between food and heating light.— food and heating light. thank you ve much food and heating light. thank you very much for— food and heating light. thank you very much forjoining _ food and heating light. thank you very much forjoining us - food and heating light. thank you very much forjoining us and - food and heating light. thank you | very much forjoining us and thank you also at home, sending your situations and thoughts into us. to keep them coming. we will obviously keep them coming. we will obviously keep on talking about this. all children in london aged one to nine are to be offered a polio booster vaccine after more traces of the poliovirus were found in waste water. there have been no actual cases of polio detected yet, but positive sewage samples have been found in seven boroughs in the capital and health officials want to act early. and we'll have more on this in a few minutes, with our health correspondent james gallagher. the headlines on bbc news... 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. all children in london aged between one and nine will be offered a polio booster vaccine after more traces of the virus are found in the capital's waste water. 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 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 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. helen briggs reports. 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. the bbc has seen evidence that the nhs in england —— a beluga whale which became stranded in the seine river

in northern france has died during an attempt to save it. the whale had been removed from the water in the first stage of a rescue operation by marine experts. the ambitious task took nearly six hours and about eighty people to lift the 800 kilo animal from the river. the authorities say the whale had to be put down while being transported. let's speak now to professor jacqueline mcglade, a marine biologist at the university college london. how unusual is it for there to be a beluga whale in the seine? extremely unusual. it clearly _ beluga whale in the seine? extremely unusual. it clearly got _ beluga whale in the seine? extremely unusual. it clearly got separated - unusual. it clearly got separated from its family group. they can live in saltwater and freshwater but it is very sad. it wasn't well. that is one of the reasons it must have got separated. one of the reasons it must have got se arated. , ' ., , separated. very sad the efforts didn't -a separated. very sad the efforts didn't pay off- _ separated. very sad the efforts didn't pay off. it _ separated. very sad the efforts didn't pay off. it is _ separated. very sad the efforts didn't pay off. it is not - separated. very sad the efforts didn't pay off. it is not always l separated. very sad the efforts i didn't pay off. it is not always the reason? we do here, not about beluga whales but there have been other

situations with wares and dolphins ending up in unusual areas. is it always that they are unwell? fin ending up in unusual areas. is it always that they are unwell? on the whole, for always that they are unwell? on the whole. for an _ always that they are unwell? on the whole, for an animal— always that they are unwell? on the whole, for an animal to _ always that they are unwell? on the whole, for an animal to become - whole, for an animal to become separated, when it is this bar away and does not show outward signs of damage, its internal processes have become completely disorientated. they are susceptible for pollution and patch disease and so on. it is very likely that is what happened. that is rather unusual. if they become separated, normally they are not too far away from the family pod. it not too far away from the family od. , not too far away from the family od, , , ., not too far away from the family aod, , , ., ., not too far away from the family od. , ., , pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort _ pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort to _ pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort to try _ pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort to try to - pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort to try to save - pod. it is so sad that this huge rescue effort to try to save it l pod. it is so sad that this huge l rescue effort to try to save it has ended with the death of the beluga whale. realistically, what were the prospects of saving the whale and

returning it to where it should have been? i returning it to where it should have been? ~ ., , returning it to where it should have been? ~ .,, ., , returning it to where it should have been? ~ ., , ., been? i think most of the vets on hand already _ been? i think most of the vets on hand already had _ been? i think most of the vets on hand already had a _ been? i think most of the vets on hand already had a bleak - been? i think most of the vets on hand already had a bleak gnosis l hand already had a bleak gnosis because, as i said, it wasn't eating. they had given steroids. although it was moving very slowly, i am quite sure on autopsy they will find something more seriously wrong with it. nevertheless it was very sad. they have beautiful animals, they are very social, staying in family groups. in an arctic environment where i have seen them, they are a fabulous animal. to find one so far away from home is very rare. ., ,. , ., ., rare. you described some of what would have _ rare. you described some of what would have been _ rare. you described some of what would have been done _ rare. you described some of what would have been done to - rare. you described some of what would have been done to try - rare. you described some of what would have been done to try to i rare. you described some of what i would have been done to try to save the whale. how much is known actually about the creatures? what can be done to help them? it is well-known _ can be done to help them? it is well- known with _

can be done to help them? it 3 well— known with biology, can be done to help them? it 3 well—known with biology, behaviour, where they go and so on. what we have learned about treating them is when we have an inside aquarium and they have needed close treatment from that. out in the wild, they seem to go through a fairly long life span. unless they hatch diseases, they are very susceptible to diseases from killer whales, for example. it is clear we do not know so much about them other than from enclosed settings.— enclosed settings. there may be something _ enclosed settings. there may be something to — enclosed settings. there may be something to learn _ enclosed settings. there may be something to learn from - enclosed settings. there may be something to learn from what i enclosed settings. there may be. something to learn from what has happened to this whale. it something to learn from what has happened to this whale.— happened to this whale. it can be ve sad happened to this whale. it can be very sad if _ happened to this whale. it can be very sad if the — happened to this whale. it can be very sad if the reason _ happened to this whale. it can be very sad if the reason for- happened to this whale. it can be very sad if the reason for its - happened to this whale. it can be | very sad if the reason for its death was pollution, let's put it that way. was pollution, let's put it that wa . . ~' was pollution, let's put it that wa . ., ~ y was pollution, let's put it that wa . ., ~ , . was pollution, let's put it that wa. ., , . ., ., way. thank you very much for 'oining us. thank way. thank you very much for 'oining rhankyou. fl 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. the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic, the snowman, has died. he was 88.

his 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 the end, the snowman melts. # we're walking in the air...# very, very raymond briggs twist. he was a children's author who wasn't really writing for children. strip cartoon, raymond briggs, children's department. that's been the attitude in england. strip cartoon, children's book. 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 in 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, mildew, and their son, mould, breakfast. raymond briggs studied at the slade school of art. he 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. the story of a couple's attempts to follow government advice

in a nuclear attack. i have never heard such language in all of my life. for god's sake, shut up! oh, dear. i've left the oven on. get in, get in. the cake will be burned. lie down. come on, dear, get in. 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. at £825, can we afford the mortgage business? it was a depiction of the life and death of a couple. ethel, his mother, a lady's maid, ernest and his father, a milkman. good morning, madam. just you keep off my clean step, young man. ijust thought my mum and dad were in the room. i spent the whole of the two days of recording in tears you know, just... i thought, there they were. kept almost looking round to say, "hello, dad, are you there?"

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 the slightly subversive stories. remembering raymond briggs. time for the weather with elizabeth. a long way from those snowy scenes. the heatwave continues across much of the uk for the rest of this week. there is a met office number weather warning in force, the second highest level of alert for extreme heat, valid for much of england and eastern wales from thursday to sunday. this is the satellite picture from earlier today. you can see it is not blue sky and sunshine everywhere. cloud, cooler conditions in north—west scotland, a sea breeze on coastal areas. overnight tonight, there will be some outbreaks of

patchy rain for scotland and the western isles. warmer than last night. temperatures down to the mid teens. they could be mist and fog. it could linger on and off tomorrow in patches. elsewhere, the strong sunshine set to continue. the coast feeling more refreshing and temperatures could get as high as 34, 30 5 degrees of greg temperatures could get as high as 34,30 5 degrees of greg knight 35 celsius for part of the midlands. hello, this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling and these are the headlines. millions of households in the uk owe energy companies more money than ever before, as bills are set to increase further in october. all children in london aged between one and nine will be offered a polio booster vaccine, after more traces of the virus are found in the capital's waste water. 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 beluga whale rescued from the river seine in northern france earlier, has died, despite a huge mission to try to save it and set it free. the author and illustrator raymond briggs, best known for the 1978 classic, the snowman, has died, aged 88. more now on the news that all children in london aged one to nine are to be offered a polio booster vaccine, after more traces of the poliovirus were found in waste water. doctor mary ramsey is director of public health programmes at the uk health security agency. we have been sampling quite widely across london, to fridge —— different sewage treatment areas. we have worked out where the virus is

spreading. we have a localised debt down to a number of borough market two in north and central london. —— borough two. that gives us some reassurance it is not spreading across the whole of london but also gives us some concern because it is in more than one borough, which means it is probably not isolated to a small number of individuals or a single family. we picked this up earlier. that is fairly clear. most of the viruses are vaccine lie, the same as the vaccine virus, very similar. but a small number of them are what we call vaccine derived, and those have mutated. whilst the virus is spreading, they have mutated slightly and now have the potential to cause paralysis, which is concerning us. we want to act early. therefore, we are advising that we should boost the vaccination

and catch up vaccination, so we offer every child one to nine an additional dose of polio. it may be additional dose of polio. it may be additionalfor some, a catch up for some others because coverage is not as good as we would like. that will hopefully boost immunity. it gives us extra protection against the risk of any paralysis, which is clearly our priority. but it also may help to interrupt transmission and prevent further spread into other parts of london. with me in the studio now is our health correspondent, james gallagher. the explanation as to why the decision has been taken to vaccinate, and it is being done out of extreme caution. tell us a bit more about the concerns? this has been taken — more about the concerns? this has been taken from _ more about the concerns? this has been taken from an _ more about the concerns? this has been taken from an abundance - more about the concerns? this has been taken from an abundance of. been taken from an abundance of caution here. no individual person has been found with polly at their body. it affects our tommies and it goes out of our body and goes into

waste water. you monitor the waste water and that is where you can see if polio is in the water. it has been found for more than before in london. it is enough to raise concern in organisations like the uk health security agency. now is the time to act. it is being considered by government vaccine experts, the jcvi. we have had a recommendation to vaccinate nearly1 million children in london, to give them an extra boost or whether they are fully vaccinated or they have had one in the past. they will be invited in the course of the next month because ultimately polio is a disease, it is an infection that can cause paralysis and death. what disease, it is an infection that can cause paralysis and death. what are the symptoms? _ cause paralysis and death. what are the symptoms? obviously _ cause paralysis and death. what are the symptoms? obviously it - cause paralysis and death. what are the symptoms? obviously it soundsj the symptoms? obviously it sounds like nobody has gone to their doctor with the suspicion they may have polio, their child may have polio, because presumably it is something that has passed without great in the

people who had it? the that has passed without great in the people who had it?— that has passed without great in the people who had it? the big challenge with olio, people who had it? the big challenge with polio. like _ people who had it? the big challenge with polio, like other _ people who had it? the big challenge with polio, like other diseases, - people who had it? the big challenge with polio, like other diseases, is - with polio, like other diseases, is you see a child and the symptoms all look the same. if your tie —— child has a dodgy stomach, a sore throat, headache, fever or temperature, these are signs of other things. that is what happens when polio is inside your intestines. those are the symptoms it can cause. in most cases it stays there and doesn't cause any further problems. in some people it spreads to other parts of the body, affecting the nervous system. that is how it can cause paralysis on the one hand, but if it damages the nerves around the lungs that control the muscles to help you breathe, that is when they can become fatal. those are the later symptoms in those rare cases. thea;r symptoms in those rare cases. they are talking about _ symptoms in those rare cases. they are talking about boosters for children between one and nine, why only that group? that children between one and nine, why only that group?— only that group? that is the group that will be _ only that group? that is the group that will be particularly _ that will be particularly vulnerable. the other thing is there is a big generational effect. there

are multiple different types of vaccines people have had over the course of several years. you try to get the groups that you think are the most vulnerable to polio here as part of the vaccination campaign. so you are minimising the risk of anybody developing paralysis. the risk does weigh in with age. you are trying to protect the most vulnerable.— trying to protect the most vulnerable. ., , ., vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. peo - le vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may — vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, _ vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, if _ vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, if there _ vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, if there is - vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, if there is a - vulnerable. the risk wanes with age. people may think, if there is a risk. people may think, if there is a risk of something that could cause me paralysis, i choose to get the vaccine? ., , vaccine? one of the hoax here is that it is happening _ vaccine? one of the hoax here is that it is happening will - vaccine? one of the hoax here is that it is happening will lead - vaccine? one of the hoax here is that it is happening will lead to l that it is happening will lead to many people who have had not had their children vaccinated, having their children vaccinated, having the vaccine. what we know is that within pockets in london the rate of vaccination for polio was lower than other parts of the country. i think the whole peer is that everybody is going to have the offer of a vaccine and people will take it up who have not taken it up in the past. thank you. we have been talking about droughts and water shortages.

in the village of north end on the border between buckinghamshire and northamptonshire has become the first place to run out of water. councils have been providing people with bottled water. our correspondencejoins with bottled water. our correspondence joins us. tell us more about the situation? joanna, ou more about the situation? joanna, you should — more about the situation? joanna, you should be _ more about the situation? joanna, you should be able _ more about the situation? joanna, you should be able to _ more about the situation? joanna, you should be able to see - more about the situation? joanna, you should be able to see behind i more about the situation? joanna, i you should be able to see behind me just two times water tankers. this tanker arrived just a few minutes ago. it is supplying water to local residents here. they have told me for the past few days, over the weekend, they have not had water to have a shower, a bath or to have a drink. they have been using, relying on, bottled water. in the last hour i spoke to a local farmer, peter langford, who said to me his elderly aunt had come to visit him and she was not able to have a bath as a

result of this. he was very frustrated that he could not give his cattle a drink using taps. he had to use bottled water. he said it has all come at a cost. it has impacted him financially. the other residents in the area that i have spoken to, they said that actually in the past four years they have had problems with water supply. but of course this year is particularly difficult because we have had record temperatures. we know the met office have introduced a been —— and amber weather warning, which means people with health problems could experience difficulties, and there could be travel disruption. this comes at a time when parts of the country are experiencing hosepipe bans. in parts of hampshire, the isle of wight, you could be fined for ignoring that ban. later on this

week, parts of sussex as well and kent will introduce a ban, and parts as well as pembrokeshire and carmarthenshire will do the same. thames water as well said just yesterday that they will be introducing a hosepipe ban as well. thames water provides water to over 15 million people in london and part of southern england. so lots of restrictions in place. but people here say they want thames water to talk to them more about ways to ensure that the supply of water won't be affected again. thank you. former inmates have spoken to the bbc about being systematically raped and tortured in russian prisons. leaked footage of such abuse was circulated by an insider last year, and now victims have told the bbc why it happens and how they are fighting for justice. the bbc asked the russian prison service for a response, but received no reply. oleg boldyrev has the story. and a warning that some

of the material in this report is very disturbing. shouting in 2020, this prison protest in siberia led to hundreds of inmates being rounded up. human rights activists say that at least 300 of them were then beaten and tortured. dinis was among them. what happened still haunts him. translation: the prison officers told me, "do you think we care i whether you are guilty or not?" the heating went on for almost three months, every day. if a man is mentally broken, he will do anything. now dinis is one of the few victims who is prepared to testify against prison staff. systemic torture in russian prisons has long been rumoured. proof came last year in russia's

largest leaked cache of torture videos from the notorious saratov prison hospital. staff are said to use hardened prisoners, so—called kapos, to do their dirty work in exchange for privileges. a prisoner named sergei savelyev had smuggled them out on his release and published them with an activist in france. the activist, vladimir osechkin, explains what's happening. translation: they are giving signs to each other, _ acting in silent concert, understanding each other even without words. because they are following the well—established system. he gives signs on how to rape him. this will surprise no one. it's just that we've never actually seen it before. the bbc has analysed thousands of court documents and found that from 2015—2019, 41 members of the prison service

were convicted in the most serious prisoner abuse trials. almost half of them were only handed suspended sentences. the videos forced the replacements of two senior prison officials and president putin promised further change. last month, russian law was strengthened, making it illegal to extract evidence using torture. but challenging russian authorities still carries risks. despite being a recognised victim of torture, dinis is still worried about reprisals. but he is determined to fight forjustice. oleg boldyrev, bbc news, russia. i'm joined now by dr alice edwards, un special rapporteur on torture. what is your reaction to this

evidence?— what is your reaction to this evidence? ., ., ., ., evidence? thanks for having me on. some of the — evidence? thanks for having me on. some of the images, _ evidence? thanks for having me on. some of the images, as _ evidence? thanks for having me on. some of the images, as you - evidence? thanks for having me on. some of the images, as you rightly| some of the images, as you rightly pointed out, are graphic and brutal. in fact, some are the worst i have seen. i really think that there needs to be a serious review of the prison system. i know that russia has made a number of steps, including changing the law only in july this year, in order to prohibit evidence being brought to court that has been induced by torture. however, they still don't have a crime of torture in their national criminal code, which, of course, prevents proper statistics gathering, but also victims having their day in court. that would be something i would be asking the russian authorities to change quickly. d0 russian authorities to change uickl . russian authorities to change uickl. , quickly. do you believe the russian authorities are _ quickly. do you believe the russian authorities are serious _ quickly. do you believe the russian authorities are serious about - authorities are serious about stopping this? i

authorities are serious about stopping this?— authorities are serious about stopping this? authorities are serious about sto am this? ., ., stopping this? i mean, i would need to reserve judgment _ stopping this? i mean, i would need to reserve judgment on _ stopping this? i mean, i would need to reserve judgment on that. - stopping this? i mean, i would need to reserve judgment on that. what l stopping this? i mean, i would need i to reserve judgment on that. what we do now is that russia has submitted their periodic reports to the un human to committee and they will be reviewed by that committee of independent experts in october. that has twice been postponed for travel reasons, but i am hopeful they will appear, and they have a fairly good record of appearing before human rights bodies. but of course the levels, and i am not able to say if it is systematic across the prison service, or in certain spots within russia, given the size of the country and the prison population, however, i am country and the prison population, however, iam hopeful they country and the prison population, however, i am hopeful they will be able to make some corrections, in particular the persons affected will be able to see justice. you particular the persons affected will be able to see justice.— particular the persons affected will be able to see justice. be able to see 'ustice. you say that ou are be able to see 'ustice. you say that you not — be able to see justice. you say that you are not able _ be able to see justice. you say that you are not able to _ be able to see justice. you say that you are not able to say _ be able to see justice. you say that you are not able to say whether - be able to see justice. you say that you are not able to say whether it | you are not able to say whether it is systematic in the system or in

particular areas. looking at where it is happening now, what is your view of how systematic what is happening in those environments is? i think the documentary is particularly striking by the number of officers that are involved. they were also previous cases in 2018, where there were large groups of prison officials involved. something i will be following up on, there is a lot of technology that is being used, yet it is not having the effect it is supposed to have, which is to assist in the protection of prisoners in relation to prisoner on prisoners in relation to prisoner on prisoner violence, prisoners in relation to prisoner on prisonerviolence, but prisoners in relation to prisoner on prisoner violence, but also to protect prison officials, and also, of course, in the context of this documentary, prisoners from violence and torture by prison officials. yet there really seems a need for a digital management system. and also

i will be requesting that the digital record is not kept within the presence but that they need a proper oversight body that will have access to those records on a regular basis, notjust one off. find access to those records on a regular basis, notjust one off.— basis, not 'ust one off. and that diital basis, notjust one off. and that digital record _ basis, notjust one off. and that digital record has _ basis, notjust one off. and that digital record has come - basis, notjust one off. and that digital record has come to - basis, notjust one off. and that digital record has come to light| digital record has come to light only because it was, the evidence was smuggled out by a former inmate. from the evidence that we have seen here, the people who are often carrying out the abuse are inmates, and they are actually given, they are given cameras embedded in the vests to put on, so that if this abuse is deliberately recorded, it seems. why would that be? what is your understanding of what is going on with this? i your understanding of what is going on with this?— on with this? i mean, i don't understand. _ on with this? i mean, i don't

understand, other _ on with this? i mean, i don't understand, other than - on with this? i mean, i don't - understand, other than potentially for reasons of lighter blackmail or gratuitous additional violence and watching those videos later, holding them over the prisoners. no, it is a scandalous state of affairs. it has been acknowledged as the highest echelons. i had noted that the russian authorities have changed their prison commissioner. so, you know, it's a very intractable issue that probably needs a root and branch a full—scale review of the entire system. i would also call on the russian government to ratify the optional protocol to the convention against torture. they have long been against torture. they have long been a part of it. but the optional protocol requires the government to

set up independent national inspection bodies, called national preventive mechanisms, and also allows the international body attached to that convention, to visit. these bodies can make unannounced visits. i think that is the great strength of such a system. the russian system has commissions of review. however, what i understand is there are some concerns over independence and also funding. and at the same time it shouldn'tjust be left to these bodies. parliamentarians, judges, civil society, bodies. parliamentarians, judges, civilsociety, human bodies. parliamentarians, judges, civil society, human rights organisations should have access to prisons, the best present in the world are open and transparent. that is in the way they handle their affairs. dr is in the way they handle their affairs. , ~ . ., , is in the way they handle their affairs. , s . ., , ., ,, is in the way they handle their affairs. , s . ., , ., affairs. dr alice edwards, thank you for 'oinin affairs. dr alice edwards, thank you forjoining us- _ and you can see more about this bbc eye investigation on the bbc news website.

a day after donald trump condemned the search of his home in florida by the search of his home in florida by the fbi, he has released a campaign video that gives the strongest hint yet he intends to run for the presidency in 2024. several republican senators have joined presidency in 2024. several republican senators havejoined in the accusation that he was the victim of an fbi witchhunt. last night, a show of solidarity from donald trump's party. unprecedented is how this is being described because no other united states of america president has had their homes surged 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. he called the present of fbi agents in his house, a raid, a cd of his home, not necessary or appropriate. he

condemned the process as prosecutorial misconduct. this is mar—a—lago, donald trump's primary residence, where the fbi executed a search warrant. to my left are trump rock supporters here to vocalise their support for donald trump and his potential to run for 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. we have to stand up for our rights and our freedoms because they are being eroded. what the fbi 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. we are a nation in decline. 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. 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 young, perhaps signifying relieved after a day of being rescued. these beagles were destined

to be sold to laboratories for drug experiments. the us humane society is leading the operation. £1000 experiments. the us humane society is leading the operation.— is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number- _ is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number- it _ is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number. it will— is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number. it will take _ is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number. it will take 60 - is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number. it will take 60 days i is leading the operation. 4000 is a big number. it will take 60 days to| big number. it will take 60 days to get all of these animals out. and working with our shelter and rescue parties across the country, working with them to get these dogs into ever loving homes. in with them to get these dogs into ever loving homes.— with them to get these dogs into ever loving homes. in may, the us department _ ever loving homes. in may, the us department of _ ever loving homes. in may, the us department ofjustice _ ever loving homes. in may, the us department ofjustice sued - ever loving homes. in may, the us department ofjustice sued a i ever loving homes. in may, the us department ofjustice sued a dog i department ofjustice sued a dog breeding facility in cumberland, virginia, citing animal welfare violations. 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 involved in the rescue effort. back in 2019, we _ involved in the rescue effort. back in 2019, we discovered _ involved in the rescue effort. back in 2019, we discovered there was a place _ in 2019, we discovered there was a place in _ in 2019, we discovered there was a place in cumberland that was breeding beagles, beautiful beagle dogs. _ breeding beagles, beautiful beagle dogs, for experimentation. we try to

shut them _ dogs, for experimentation. we try to shut them down in 2019 but we were not successful. over the years we never _ not successful. over the years we never stop — not successful. over the years we never stop fighting. now not successful. over the years we never stop fighting.— not successful. over the years we never stop fighting. now away from dan u er, never stop fighting. now away from danger. the — never stop fighting. now away from danger, the task _ never stop fighting. now away from danger, the task begins _ never stop fighting. now away from danger, the task begins to - never stop fighting. now away from danger, the task begins to find i never stop fighting. now away from i danger, the task begins to find 4000 poppies theirforever danger, the task begins to find 4000 poppies their forever home. hundreds of people using sham marriages to stay in the uk post—brexit, have not been prosecuted or removed from the country. bbc news has obtained figures showing 365 couples have tried to exploit the scheme, which gives eu citizens and their spouses the right to remain in the uk. nobody has been removed in the past two years, and the last prosecution was four years ago. dominos pizza is to close down all its stores in italy. the us brand opened its first store in milan seven years ago. it expanded around the country, despite being shunned by traditionalists opposed to north american innovationsm such as putting pineapple on pizzas. dominos says the coronavirus pandemic led to local pizza restaurants encroaching on their home delivery market.

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. 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. victory will be here in a few moments. first, the weather with carol. hello again. if you are looking for rain, some might see thundery showers on sunday evening. the weather is more likely to break down next week. we have an amber met office extreme heat weather warning valid from thursday to sunday and covering much of england and east wales. it includes the isle of wight as well.

it means being prepared. you might find some disruption to your travel arrangements. what we have today is a lot of dry weather, a lot of strong sunshine. towards the west eventually some of the sunshine will turn hazy as a weather front brings in thicker cloud and later, some rain. here we have gusty winds, so temperatures are a little bit lower. widely we are looking at the high 20s to mid 30s. —— made 20s to the low 30s. overnight, a lot of dry weather and clear skies. the weather front draped across the north and west of scotland bringing in more rain, which will be heavy at times, and we're looking at a mild night for the most part. temperatures falling away between nine and 17 degrees in cardiff. it is going to become increasingly more uncomfortable for sleeping. high pressure remains in charge in the next few days, drifting eastwards, pulling in of the very warm hot continental air, and keeping weather fronts at bay across the north west of scotland. on thursday you can see where

we have got the rain and the cloud. at times areas of low cloud coming in from the north sea. temperatures widely again from the mid 20s to the mid 30s. locally somewhere in the south we could hit 35 or 36. on friday, any overnight mist and fog will disperse. low cloud coming onshore at times from the north sea and around the coast of northern ireland. the cloud syncing further south across scotland. in the north, temperatures will be lower. in the south, still the mid 30s. the outlook period remains settled into the weekend, but remember, some thundery showers are possible during sunday evening. as low pressure takes charge, things start to change. as we head into the early part of next week, what we are looking at is temperatures going down, and the chance of some rain. as well as that rain, some will see thundery downpours.

falling behind on paying for energy — households owe more money to their energy supplier than ever before. and that's before bills are due to rise even further in october. i can afford to pay them £95 a month. i will pay them £95 a month. and no more. if that doesn't cover what the fuel costs are, then, for the first time, in my life, other than student loans, i am going to be going into debt. also this lunchtime... all children aged between one to nine in london are to be offered a booster dose of polio vaccine to try to prevent the spread of the virus. salmon, kingfishers and otters — wildlife threatened because some rivers in england are drying up. leaked figures seen by the bbc

suggest that long waits for cancer treatment are growing.