this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley and these are the latest headlines... large parts of britain's rail network grind to a halt as 50 thousand workers stage a walk—out in the biggest rail strike so far. the action is getting stronger, and the public are behind us, so we are committed to it. we want a resolution. if the government will change their attitude, we can get a resolution very quickly. no way out, the ukrainian military says it has encircled russian forces in the strategic eastern town of lyman in the donetsk region, a day after russia annexed the area. millions of people in the uk will pay more for gas and electricity from today, as the new energy price cap comes into force. the uk's biggest controlled

explosion for 75 years, as redcar steelworks is demolished. we'll have a report from the teesside site. and these beavers have been recognised as a protected species in england, making it illegal to deliberately capture, kill or disturb them. good afternoon. welcome to bbc news. more than 50,000 rail workers are walking out today, causing the biggest strike disruption on the railways this year. 0nly around 11% of the usual saturday timetable will be able to run. ba rely barely any trains are operating in some parts of the country. members of four unions are taking part in the strike

in a long—running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. 0ur transport correspondent, katy austin reports. another train strike, and it's the biggest yet. karen from staffordshire is running the london marathon tomorrow to fundraise for the hospital where she had breast cancer treatment. news of the strike meant she had to make other plans to get there. so, for me, thisjust blew everything apart. i couldn't even begin to think of how we would get there. so ijust worried. and until we knew what our plan was, ijust panicked, just just worried about it. the red lines on this map are the only parts of the rail network which do have services today. where trains are running, they started a lot later than usual and they'll finish a lot earlier than normal as well. there are no trains running between london and some other major cities, including edinburgh, newcastle and brighton. why is this all happening? well, the train drivers union

is demanding a pay rise amid high inflation, the rmt wants that for its rail worker members too, and it argues job security and working conditions are under threat. both unions insist they didn't target the london marathon. whenever we put strikes on, it's going to inconvenience people. we don't want to do that. we'd much rather have a settlement. we'd much rather get out of this dispute so that our members can provide the service. we have to keep the dispute going. we've been going nearly six months now, and we have to keep the momentum going. we've got full support from the public. we believe. there's many people that, even the people that are inconvenienced, that are supporting us every day, are on these picket lines. the industry argues the pandemic has left a financial hole and changed the way people travel. we want to give our staff a pay increase, but it has to be self—funding from within the industry, because we can't afford to keep taking more taxpayers' money. so meaningful reform means that we can generate money, that we can then say to government, "we believe that this

is a sensible deal, that we can give our staff a pay increase." rail bosses and unions say they'll keep talking, but more strikes could be coming down the line. tim shoveller is the chief negotiator at network rail and hejoins me now. good afternoon. when did you last have a substantive round of negotiations with the unions? it have a substantive round of negotiations with the unions? it has been some time _ negotiations with the unions? it has been some time since _ negotiations with the unions? it has been some time since we _ negotiations with the unions? it has been some time since we had - negotiations with the unions? it has been some time since we had a - been some time since we had a discussion around pay. it has been ongoing. the reason we are in this is because the railway is in financial crisis. we have lost £2 billion last year revenue and we have to change the way that we work to be more efficient. we are determined to do that in a way... we have to do this together and we can only do that in cooperation with the unions. ' . , ., , i. unions. the difficulty though is you seem to be — unions. the difficulty though is you seem to be saying _ unions. the difficulty though is you seem to be saying to _ unions. the difficulty though is you seem to be saying to your- unions. the difficulty though is you . seem to be saying to your employees, whichever union that they are in, whether they have gone out on strike, "trust us on this, we will give you a pay rise." there are no

guarantees in this process, if you do the forms you can say something is change and they will not get a pay rise. i was listening carefully to someone interviewed on this channel and he said there may be a pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer— pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer in _ pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer in july, _ pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer in july, 8% _ pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer in july, 8% over- pay rise if reforms happen. we have made an offer in july, 896 over two l made an offer injuly, 8% over two years, that is on the table and is there to be taken. it included some significant things like 75% reduction on train tickets, something ourfront line reduction on train tickets, something our front line teams reduction on train tickets, something ourfront line teams have been after for years. the offer was made injuly, it was on the table and we would be happy to talk to the union about that package again. but that is conditional on the form, isn't it? fit that is conditional on the form, isn't it? .., , , that is conditional on the form, isn't it? , , ., isn't it? of course, there is no money for _ isn't it? of course, there is no money for pay _ isn't it? of course, there is no money for pay rises _ isn't it? of course, there is no money for pay rises i - isn't it? of course, there is no money for pay rises i had - isn't it? of course, there is no money for pay rises i had and | isn't it? of course, there is no - money for pay rises i had and money we can make together by being more efficient, growing the railway better so we can run the trains even more safely, more punctually for our passengers. you

more safely, more punctually for our passengers-— passengers. you say run them even more safely. — passengers. you say run them even more safely. i — passengers. you say run them even more safely, i thought _ passengers. you say run them even more safely, i thought our- passengers. you say run them even more safely, i thought our train - passengers. you say run them evenj more safely, i thought our train had an exemplary safety record. i more safely, i thought our train had an exemplary safety record.- an exemplary safety record. i make that oint an exemplary safety record. i make that point because _ an exemplary safety record. i make that point because we _ an exemplary safety record. i make that point because we had - an exemplary safety record. i make that point because we had the - an exemplary safety record. i make | that point because we had the union on previously argue that some of the changes we have had to make would result in concerns for them. my point is the changes we are making will improve safety for our employees, further for passengers and allow it to remain more efficient. that is absolutely critical to allow us to make the pay rises. to critical to allow us to make the pay rises. ., . , rises. to what extent is the government _ rises. to what extent is the government a _ rises. to what extent is the government a hidden - rises. to what extent is the government a hidden hand| rises. to what extent is the l government a hidden hand in rises. to what extent is the - government a hidden hand in this process? government a hidden hand in this rocess? , , ., ., process? this is for the rail industry — process? this is for the rail industry to _ process? this is for the rail industry to solve. - process? this is for the rail industry to solve. at - process? this is for the rail industry to solve. at the i process? this is for the rail. industry to solve. at the end process? this is for the rail- industry to solve. at the end of the day, it has a huge support from government through the covid pandemic and is continuing to recognise passenger reviews are still lower than they were. the railway is not organised the most efficient way at the moment. we know are working together we can run the

railway better for passengers which will be a dividend in their pay rise. we can only do that if we work collaboratively and it is striking that exactly the wrong thing to do which causes disruption to our passengers, loses us money as an industry, makes it harder to resolve the pay deal. i industry, makes it harder to resolve the pay deal-— the pay deal. i want... the reason i ask ou the pay deal. i want... the reason i ask you about— the pay deal. i want... the reason i ask you about the _ the pay deal. i want... the reason i ask you about the government - the pay deal. i want... the reason i ask you about the government in i the pay deal. i want... the reason i | ask you about the government in all of this, as you have acknowledged, the raleigh's finances are depleted because of covid. there have been issues with franchises of individual railway companies some of which have been taken back into the department for transport. been taken back into the department fortransport. it been taken back into the department for transport. it is kind of a myth that this is a commercial operation. in the end, you will only be able to fund a pay increase because you will have to do that in the short term based on an aspiration form which will take much longer if the government says we will fill the gap until the reform is delivered? 0therwise until the reform is delivered? otherwise you appear to be saying we need the reform programme, actually pay rises could be quite a long way

off because reforms don't happen overnight. off because reforms don't happen overniaht. ~ , , ., , ., overnight. absolutely, reforms do take time- — overnight. absolutely, reforms do take time. we _ overnight. absolutely, reforms do take time. we started _ overnight. absolutely, reforms do take time. we started this - overnight. absolutely, reforms do| take time. we started this process 18 months ago. easter 2021 was the first time we sat down, the rail industry with the trade unions because it was inevitable at that point that we were going to need to find a way of reducing the cost of running the railway, because we could see the damage that had been done on the changes that resulted from covid. conversations have been under way for 18 months and as a result of those conversations, the aim is to try and achieve change so that we could run the railway more efficiently in a way that will allow... it is a terrible tragedy that, 18 months on, we have strikes, there is no more pay offer being made as a result of strikes, striking itself will not result in bigger pay offers. we don't need this to be a war of attrition, the striking is not the answer. talking and working collaboratively together is the only answer to this. if

and working collaboratively together is the only answer to this.— is the only answer to this. if your argument — is the only answer to this. if your argument is _ is the only answer to this. if your argument is so — is the only answer to this. if your argument is so convincing, - argument is so convincing, presumably the rmt goes to its members and asks for a fresh mandate and will be rejected? i’m members and asks for a fresh mandate and will be rejected?— and will be re'ected? i'm hoping so. i was out and will be rejected? i'm hoping so. i was out and _ and will be rejected? i'm hoping so. i was out and about _ and will be rejected? i'm hoping so. i was out and about yesterday - i was out and about yesterday talking to our front line teams and maintenance staff over the last week, and about them very frustrated about the fact that we have made an offer, 8% over two years, they have not had the chance to accept the offer and many of them have lost up to £3000 through tabling strike action throughout the summer. that is a significant amount of money to lose. it will never be recovered by any pay deal. so keeping on striking will make things work for the individuals and worse for our industry. individuals and worse for our indust . ., ., ., ., industry. chief negotiator for network rail, _ industry. chief negotiator for network rail, thank - industry. chief negotiator for network rail, thank you - industry. chief negotiator forj network rail, thank you very industry. chief negotiator for - network rail, thank you very much for your time. also walking out today, royal mail workers have begun their second day of a 48—hour strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.

the communication workers union says the walk—out by around 115,000 of its members is the biggest strike of the year. a royal mail spokesman described the action as "reckless" because it would weaken the company's finances and jeopardise workers' job security. the ukrainian military says it has encircled russian forces in the strategic eastern town of lyman in the donetsk region. video posted by president zelensky�*s chief of staff shows soldiers waving a ukrainian flag near a welcome sign on the town's outskirts, but it's impossible to independently verify the claims. lyman is in a region annexed by president putin on friday. 0ur correspondent, hugo bachega, joins us now from kyiv. 0ne one of the paradoxes is that we have this huge, dramatic event yesterday in moscow, very carefully staged, a big concert in the evening, a big celebration of russian control, but on the ground, much of this

territory is still in a real dispute, regardless of what moscow says or what kyiv says.— says or what kyiv says. exactly, and the ukrainians _ says or what kyiv says. exactly, and the ukrainians have _ says or what kyiv says. exactly, and the ukrainians have been _ says or what kyiv says. exactly, and the ukrainians have been saying - says or what kyiv says. exactly, and | the ukrainians have been saying that everything that we saw yesterday happening in moscow doesn't have any legitimacy, no legal value, that they would go ahead with this counter offensive and try to retake territory that is now under russian occupation. it seems this is exactly what is happening telecom a fast—moving story and difficult to independently verify the reports from the region. we have been following events around lyman for a few days, we started the day to day with reports that the ukrainians were encircling this town with thousands of russian forces cut off from their resupply routes. now we are hearing reports are still unconfirmed that the russian forces have pulled out from this town, that the ukrainians seem to be on the verge of reclaiming this town. there

have been some pictures posted on social media showing soldiers raising the ukrainian flag as they enter this town of lyman. it is very important, because if confirmed it is a major victory for the ukrainians. they are retaking territory in the donetsk region, one of the four regions that president putin annexed yesterday. a move that is not recognised by the ukrainians or the international community. and also the symbolism of it, as you said, because this is happening less than 24—hour is after the announcement of yesterday and that eventin announcement of yesterday and that event in moscow with president putin announcing with the four russian— appointed leaders of these regions, these four regions of ukraine. has these four regions of ukraine. as ou these four regions of ukraine. as you are speaking there, reuters news agency flashed at ukrainian forces are now in lyman and fighting rages. that comes from ukrainian military

spokesperson. as you say, we don't have any separate verification and thatis have any separate verification and that is clearly not a place where journalists can be deployed right now. can we talk about another issue which seems to have coincided with the annexation announcement in moscow yesterday? that is the apparent disappearance of the director—general of the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. that must be causing some concern. nuclear plant. that must be causing some concern-— nuclear plant. that must be causing some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour aro some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour auo with some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour ago with the — some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour ago with the head _ some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour ago with the head of _ some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour ago with the head of the _ some concern. yeah, i spoke an hour ago with the head of the nuclear- ago with the head of the nuclear operator here, he told me that the head of the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was driving yesterday in the town whether plant is located and he was a productive bite russian forces and taken to an undisclosed location and his fate remains unknown. there has been a statement released by the international atomic energy is in the last half an hour saying that russian forces have

informed that the head has been taken for questioning, that it is taken for questioning, that it is taken from the international atomic energy agency but we still don't know where he is. and his condition. for weeks, we have been talking about confrontations around the nuclear power plant and i was told that this disappearance, the subduction happen because the head of the nuclear power station was refusing to accept orders by the russian authorities' nuclear authorities. that happened as president putin announced at the annexation of those four regions including the region of zaporizhzhia, which is now partially occupied by the russians, perhaps one of the implications of what was announced by president putin yesterday. announced by president putin yesterday-— announced by president putin esterda . ., ~ , . ., yesterday. thank you very much for ex-alainin yesterday. thank you very much for exniaining all— yesterday. thank you very much for exniaining all of— yesterday. thank you very much for explaining all of that _ yesterday. thank you very much for explaining all of that to _ yesterday. thank you very much for explaining all of that to us. - the cost of gas and electricity for uk households has increased from today but, as we've been hearing,

the rise has been cushioned by government help. although critics point out, even after the intervention, prices are twice as high as last winter. our business correspondent simon browning joins me now. what should people be thinking about to try to use less energy? because there is no way to reduce what you are paying for it, presumably the only way you can do it is to reduce how much you are using.— only way you can do it is to reduce how much you are using. there's lots of advice on — how much you are using. there's lots of advice on the _ how much you are using. there's lots of advice on the bbc _ how much you are using. there's lots of advice on the bbc news _ how much you are using. there's lots of advice on the bbc news website i of advice on the bbc news website about how you can reduce your energy consumption, obviously those bills have doubled since last winter, a huge number. the government have stepped in to provide an enormous support package, one of liz truss's first acts of prime minister was his energy support package. but what can we do to save our energy usage? there are lots of tips from things like reducing and changing the way that you cook, using your oven and hob is more expensive to cook than a couple of chicken breasts. it is cheaper to use a microwave or a slow cooker. like your clothes, don't use that tumble dryer, air dry your clothes. while the bbc has been out

and about speaking to people about their concerns about energy bills, people have told us about how they have been turning down the thermostat i have been turning down the thermostati degrees have been turning down the thermostat 1 degrees which have been turning down the thermostati degrees which can have a substantial saving on your energy usage during the winter. and also simple things like teaching your children about energy usage and how important it is to just turn the light off on a turn the lamp off, explain it to them. it is light off on a turn the lamp off, explain it to them.— explain it to them. it is natural --eole explain it to them. it is natural peeple get _ explain it to them. it is natural peeple get very _ explain it to them. it is natural people get very frustrated. - explain it to them. it is natural| people get very frustrated. but explain it to them. it is natural. people get very frustrated. but it is about education _ people get very frustrated. but it is about education and _ people get very frustrated. but it is about education and these - is about education and these conversations are really important, if you can reduce your energy consumption, which is a key target of a lot of energy providers. they want to see consumers educate themselves, bring down their usage ijy themselves, bring down their usage by 10—15% themselves and really insulates yourselves against these high energy prices. let’s insulates yourselves against these high energy prices.— insulates yourselves against these high energy prices. let's talk about what the government _ high energy prices. let's talk about what the government has - high energy prices. let's talk about i what the government has announced, that we are now effectively into operation today, this doesn't apply to northern ireland. this is england, wales, northern ireland two not northern ireland, scotland. every house in britain will get a

£400 discount on energy usage. the deductions will begin in october automatically on your bill. around 67 and £67 as we approach march and april. if you have a different type of income, a low income household, disability and pensioners, there is an also extra cost of living support. the government has come through and provided a huge package of support to insulates consumers against these huge price rises which they are a consequence of the russian invasion of ukraine and a real tightening and construction on energy markets. the one thing to be careful about, energy markets. the one thing to be carefulabout, consumer energy markets. the one thing to be careful about, consumer groups are warning this morning, even i got a text on a scam text from groups saying "you are eligible for a discount on your energy bill under the energy bill support scheme. you can apply here." groups are saying this is becoming widespread and as a consumer scam. this is becoming widespread and as a consumerscam. scammers this is becoming widespread and as a consumer scam. scammers want to get your personal details and try to swindle you to the advice is be very

careful if you are receiving these types of texts. the support comes automatically through your energy provider. automatically through your energy rovider. ., ., �* ., automatically through your energy rovider. ., ., ., ., provider. you don't have to do anything- _ provider. you don't have to do anything- you _ provider. you don't have to do anything. you should - provider. you don't have to do anything. you should not - provider. you don't have to do - anything. you should not respond. if ou are anything. you should not respond. if you are concerned, _ anything. you should not respond. if you are concerned, speak— anything. you should not respond. if you are concerned, speak to - anything. you should not respond. if you are concerned, speak to your. you are concerned, speak to your energy company, they are aware of it and are there to support.— and are there to support. simon browning. _ and are there to support. simon browning, business _ and are there to support. simon - browning, business correspondence, thank you very much. doesn't time fly when you are having fun! the headlines on bbc news... large parts of britain's rail network grind to a halt as 50,000 workers stage a walk—out in the biggest rail strike so far. no way out, the ukrainian military says it has encircled russian forces in the strategic eastern town of lyman in the donetsk region, a day after russia annexed the area. millions of people in the uk will pay more for gas and electricity from today, as the new energy price cap comes into force. the prime minister liz truss has admitted there has been "disruption" in the uk economy following the mini

budget last week. the government unveiled £45 billion of tax cuts funded by borrowing last week but did not accompany it with the usual economic assessment of the plans, by the ibfr, which worried investors. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, reports. meeting her danish counterpart outside number ten this morning, liz truss attempted to introduce larry the downing street cat. are you bringing back- austerity, prime minister? he didn't hang around, but questions continue about how she'll pay for her economic plans. in kent yesterday, the prime minister wanted to focus on the energy price cap for households now in place. that hugely expensive move came before the not so mini budget, prompting political criticism and financial turmoil, which the prime minister acknowledged but played down.

i recognise there has been disruption, but it was really, really important that we were able to get help to families as soon as possible. that help is coming this weekend, because this is going to be a difficult winter. and i'm determined to do all i can to help families and help the economy at this time. the chancellor's also trying to reassure. writing in the daily telegraph, kwasi kwarteng said the government had a plan to reduce debt, set new tax and spending rules, and publish full forecasts on the impact of all that on the economy. another senior minister, the levelling up secretary, simon clarke, has signalled spending cuts could be coming, saying there's always room to trim the fat. 0pposition parties worry what that could mean. we always support value for money, but the turbulence in the markets has been caused by the government's own error ofjudgment in announcing a set of unfunded tax cuts that benefited primarily those earning over £150,000 a year. and it would be appalling now

if, as a consequence of all that, they turned on pensioners, the disabled and those waiting on nhs waiting lists to pay the price for their own mistake. as the conservatives gather for their annual conference in birmingham this weekend, conditions are difficult for the prime minister, still new in the job and fighting to keep her party on side. jonathan blake, bbc news. we will have full coverage of the opening day of the conservative party conference in birmingham. at the slightly earlier time of 8:30am, the slightly earlier time of 8:30am, the prime minister will be interviewed live with laura kuenssberg. the slightly earlier time of 8:30am. if you have views about laura's new programme, you can hear what she had to say to me if you search for news watch on the bbc iplayer. a large part of the former redcar steelworks has been demolished today. the basic 0xygen plant, also known as the bos plant, was brought down in the uk's biggest

controlled explosion for 75 years. more than one and a half tonnes of explosives were used at the teesside site. our business correspondent, ian reeve, reports. alarm blares redcar�*s so—called bos plant had stood since the 1970s when molten iron was refined and turned into steel. but with the redevelopment of the former steelworks, it had to come down. explosion 105,000 tonnes of steel brought down by more than 1.5 tonnes of explosives. applause and looking on, stuart and ken, father and son, both former steel workers, both former bos plant managers. it's gave a brilliant living to so many people in the area and beyond. and, you know, there is something sad about, i guess, losing it on that front. i mean, that is sad,

but i am also well aware that we need to move on. steel— making is finished. we need to now develop this area. so, all the things that is happening with teesworks, taking this down and moving on is the best possible legacy. but will the hoped—for newjobs come to the site? this last week has seen markets, companies and investors all spooked. well, i think we are uniquely placed that we have got the largest brownfield site in western europe, we have the uk's largest freeport with all the incentives that brings, we have got the site and support of government, as well, and actually that inoculates us from some of the international headwinds that we are seeing. so, the likes of net zero teesside, bp, who are all committed to the site, are not slowing down, they are still committing money as quickly as they can. it is seven years since the steelworks closed. today's blow—down a dramatic reminder that those days have gone for good. ian reeve, bbc news.

hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are without electricity in south carolina in america, after hurricane ian hit the coast yesterday. it's the latest us state to suffer the storm. a huge clean—up operation is under way in florida, where at least 20 people have died and many counties are without drinking water. it is still not clear what the situation is in cuba, which was the first country to be hit by hurricane ian. beavers have been recognised as a protected species in england, making it illegal to deliberately capture, kill or disturb them. the animals are native to the uk but were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago. since 2015, beavers have been re—introduced at many sites across england, with the aim of helping to restore wetland habitats. i'm joined now by sandra king, the chief executive of the beavers trust. from your point of view, this is good news, should we all think of it

that way? good news, should we all think of it that wa ? ., good news, should we all think of it thatwa ? . , , that way? yeah, absolutely. it is incredible news _ that way? yeah, absolutely. it is incredible news and _ that way? yeah, absolutely. it is incredible news and something l that way? yeah, absolutely. it is i incredible news and something that beavers trust, the wildlife trust and individuals have been trying for and individuals have been trying for a really long time. we were sorry native species, as you said, and they can have an incredibly positive benefit on our native wildlife and on water as well. what they do is they create these incredibly wildlife— rich wetlands in which we have seen over the summer also help not only wildlife to bounce back in abundance but also can help with drought. we saw fantastic, you covered it, drone footage of farmland that had beaver wetlands, which was lush on the field next door in the drought was dry and brown. it can also help with the flooding as well. i brown. it can also help with the flooding as well.— brown. it can also help with the flooding as well. i think it was an estate on exmoor. _ flooding as well. i think it was an estate on exmoor. they - flooding as well. i think it was an estate on exmoor. they had - flooding as well. i think it was an estate on exmoor. they had a i estate on exmoor. they had a long—term project with the national trust, which they clearly think is improving the worth of beavers. there was some concern expressed before this ban became law by the national farmers' union which was

concerned that if beavers start to breed, and at the moment they are relatively limited, they start to breed successfully they could potentially become a problem. have you been able to offer any reassurance to the nfu and to farmers in general about that? what farmers in general about that? what we have been _ farmers in general about that? what we have been doing _ farmers in general about that? what we have been doing is _ farmers in general about that? wrist we have been doing is as well farmers in general about that? mat we have been doing is as well as the farmers, ourselves and the wildlife trust and other wildlife charities have been calling on the government to say," we have learned from european countries where beavers have been brought back, there are simple things we can do which aren't super expensive which will make the most of beavers and put landowners a possibly mind at rest." for the vast majority of land in britain, people, it will only be positive news. there will be a tiny amount of land for a very small number of farmers, potentially right next to the waterways, and we have seen the evidence. 0ver waterways, and we have seen the evidence. over in bavaria where they have had beavers for a while, it is normal not to farm up to ten metres from the edge of the river. and any potential conflict virtually disappears. so wejust potential conflict virtually disappears. so we just need to make a bit of space for it beavers in the

wet since then we get all the benefits that they can bring from the drought, the clean water, flooding and then all of the bounce back about other native species, which is really important. so, yes, we are with the farmers and landowners in asking the government to give us some clarity. we know the steps we can take to... find steps we can take to... and they haven't done _ steps we can take to... and they haven't done it _ steps we can take to... and they haven't done it yet, _ steps we can take to... and they haven't done it yet, just - steps we can take to... and they haven't done it yet, just to - steps we can take to... and they haven't done it yet, just to be i haven't done it yet, just to be clear. haven't done it yet, 'ust to be clear. ., , ., �* ., , clear. no, they haven't done it yet, and we want _ clear. no, they haven't done it yet, and we want to _ clear. no, they haven't done it yet, and we want to see _ clear. no, they haven't done it yet, and we want to see that. _ clear. no, they haven't done it yet, and we want to see that. and i and we want to see that. and we really want to see a strategy now. this is a great step today, we have to celebrate where we can. we need a really ambitious strategy from the government which shows us how we can get these b was released into the wild in a really ambitious way. one of the most nature— depleted countries in the world is us, and beavers are, nothing is a symbol and i am slightly biased, but beavers are one of the most important things we can do. and that is why people are so excited about beavers, it happens immediately. we saw on devon wildlife trust at exeter university,

they have monitored the beavers and it is almost immediate that you start to see the benefits on nature and wildlife. start to see the benefits on nature and wildlife-— start to see the benefits on nature and wildlife. because at the end of the da , and wildlife. because at the end of the day. the _ and wildlife. because at the end of the day, the damning _ and wildlife. because at the end of the day, the damning process i and wildlife. because at the end of the day, the damning process is i and wildlife. because at the end of the day, the damning process is a | the day, the damning process is a natural, instinctive action for the beavers. it natural, instinctive action for the beavers. , ., , , ~ ., beavers. it is, absolutely. and that is what creates _ beavers. it is, absolutely. and that is what creates this _ beavers. it is, absolutely. and that is what creates this lush _ beavers. it is, absolutely. and that is what creates this lush wetlands. | is what creates this lush wetlands. the habitats that the dragonflies, frogs and birds and everything else thrive on. and it is what will really help with the flooding and clean water and drowned alleviation as well. and we are facing climate and biodiversity crisis, this is one of the most positive things we can do in this country at the moment, and we need to get on with it and do it in a really ambitious way. and we are working with anyone who wants to work with us and make that happen. sandra king, chief executive of the beavers trust, i hope you're having a glass of something to celebrate today. i a glass of something to celebrate toda . ., ., ~ i. a glass of something to celebrate toda. ., ., ~ . the tech billionaire elon musk has presented the latest prototype of a humanoid robot. 0ptimus — being developed by his tesla car company —

appeared on stage at a silicon valley event, where it waved to the audience. mr musk said robots could eventually transform civilisation and eliminate poverty. let's hope that he has got that the right way around! initially though, 0ptimus will be tested with simple tasks on the tesla factory floor — and could be on sale to the public in a few years' time. which means she or he or it will not be reading the news and certainly will not be giving the weather forecast, because you need professional for that. and forecast, because you need professionalfor that. and here he is. darren bet. you are allowed to wave if you like! i is. darren bet. you are allowed to wave if you like!— wave if you like! i thought there was somebody _ wave if you like! i thought there was somebody behind _ wave if you like! i thought there was somebody behind me! i thank you very much indeed. i hope i would live up to the billing. today feels very different across the uk we have seen the back of that wet and windy weather that we had yesterday. a brisk westerly wind through the rest of the day which will bring us some showers, in particular across northern ireland and western scotland where some of them will be heavy. generally dry further east, quite a bit of sunshine, a nice day really.

temperatures reaching highs of 19 or 20. a lot of those showers will begin to fade away this evening, we will find clearer skies over except in the south, because we have thickening cloud and rain coming in from the atlantic, southern parts of england and the far south wales. it will be milder. further north with the clear skies and whiter winds, temperatures will be seven or eight. we have the far south of wales, southern england, heavy bursts of rain in the south—west but it becomes lighter and more patchy through the afternoon. away from here, a good amount of sunshine, just patchy cloud, may if you like to showers in the north—west of scotland, most places will be dry and temperatures a bit lower than today in the midlands and eastern england. hello. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley and these are the headlines: large parts of britain's rail network grind to a halt as 50