this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the household energy supplier octopus energy has reached a deal to buy bulb, one of the companies which collapsed last year amid soaring wholesale gas and electricity prices. the head of the royal navy orders an investigation into allegations that female recruits have been sexually abused and harassed on submarines. president biden condemns an attack on the husband of senior democrat nancy pelosi, saying there's too much vitriol in us politics. the ministry of defence has accused the russian government of "peddling false claims" after moscow said uk forces helped with a drone attack on russian fleets near the crimean port of sevastopol. there's major disruption to rail services across scotland due to a 24—hour walkout by scotrail workers. more than 2,000 rmt

members are on strike. and at 3.30pm on the bbc news channel, talking business with aaron heslehurst. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the household energy supplier 0ctopus energy has reached a deal to buy bulb, which was one of the largest energy companies to collapse last year because of soaring wholesale gas and electricity prices. the government has spent billions of pounds keeping the company afloat since it went into administraton. the agreement means 0ctopus will take onboard bulb's one and a half million customers. our business reporter ramzan kamali has the details. bulb is the biggest - green energy company... it was the biggest energy company to go bust.

last november, bulb found itself in administration. it was only kept going by the government, who pumped hundreds of millions of pounds into the business, but now a deal has been struck that it is hoped will give relief notjust to customers, taxpayers, but also hundreds of staff. today, 0ctopus were confident that the takeover of bulb's customers would be smooth. 0ctopus has got a great track record of bringing large numbers of customers across. so for, example, when avro failed — it was the largest company to date — we were able to look after those customers and staff pretty seamlessly, and i think with bulb, the experience we've got means we're probably the natural choice. in total, 1.5 million bulb customers will move across to 0ctopus. last november, the government had to bail out the firm with a £1.7 billion loan. but earlier this year, the independent 0ffice for budget responsibility predicted the total bailout package would be £2.2 billion. this deal could save taxpayers millions. i think it'd be good, you know, for octopus to take over bulb

and relieve the taxpayer of the burden of running it, for the moment. also, it will make the bulb customers, obviously, give them more comfort that someone is actually running their business and looking after them in the best way possible. the government expect the deal to be finalised by the end of next month and will make 0ctopus one of the country's largest energy providers. no—one�*s going to see prices going up as a result of this agreement. people should just sit tight. for now, the service will carry on exactly as it does — provided by the same people. energy bills have been in sharp focus for millions of households, and though this is welcomed news for the energy, high energy prices continue to hit consumers hard. ramzan karmali, bbc news. joining me now is richard neudegg, director of regulation at the price comparison site u—switch. can once collapsed in november last

year, was bailed out by the government then, what has taken so long to find a buyer? —— bulb collapsed. long to find a buyer? -- bulb collapsed-— long to find a buyer? -- bulb colla sed. . ., , collapsed. there are really high wholesale prices. _ collapsed. there are really high wholesale prices. they - collapsed. there are really high wholesale prices. they have - collapsed. there are really high l wholesale prices. they have been really volatile, going up astronomically, with providers and suppliers trying to hedge and buy it ahead, extremely expensive, so no supplier has been willing to take on the risk of bulb's customers until they could reach a deal with the government and there was no stability in the market. that has meant the tax—payer has had to shoulder the burden or bulb going into special administration, not helped by failing to hedge properly either. but now we are finally at the point where for the 1.5 million bulb customers, they know they are moving to a supplier that is still in business and that gives people a bit more stability. what in business and that gives people a bit more stability.— bit more stability. what is it going to mean for—

bit more stability. what is it going to mean for those _ bit more stability. what is it going to mean for those consumers, - to mean for those consumers, price—wise? it to mean for those consumers, price-wise?— to mean for those consumers, rice-wise? �* price-wise? it shouldn't make any different prices, _ price-wise? it shouldn't make any different prices, because - price-wise? it shouldn't make any different prices, because at - price-wise? it shouldn't make any different prices, because at leastl different prices, because at least for this winter, the energy guarantee the government has in place, so unless we are at a fixed deal, we pay the government rate. bulb customers will be on pretty much the same rate, maybe a slight variation, when they go over to 0ctopus in a few months. the important message to bulb customers today, you don't need to do anything, you will be protected and at some point in the next couple of months you will move over to 0ctopus systems but mostly it's going to be the same. fin systems but mostly it's going to be the same. . ., . the same. on a more general sense, how many more _ the same. on a more general sense, how many more suppliers _ the same. on a more general sense, how many more suppliers are - the same. on a more general sense, how many more suppliers are left, i how many more suppliers are left, and how much choice do we have on what we pay any more? it's not that long ago since we had a lot of choice, different contract periods, different years, and switching was the way to save.— different years, and switching was the way to save. unfortunately we've seen lots of — the way to save. unfortunately we've seen lots of energy _ the way to save. unfortunately we've seen lots of energy suppliers - the way to save. unfortunately we've seen lots of energy suppliers go - seen lots of energy suppliers go bust, we saw that last year, and even for the remaining ones, they

have needed quite a bit of regulatory government help to stay afloat. pretty much whoever you are with, and it is very concentrated now around the bigger suppliers, you are paying pretty much the same price, small variations here and there, and some legacy fixed deals. so even if you wanted to switch at the moment, it's quite difficult. most suppliers will not let you choose them to move over to because they don't want more customers at they don't want more customers at the moment. it's difficult when energy rates are at the highest now, even with the government guarantee, in living memory. the only way you can save money right now is to control usage, find the things you don't need to be running, turn them off and use smart ways to understand where you can make savings. 1 off and use smart ways to understand where you can make savings.- where you can make savings. i want to ask ou where you can make savings. i want to ask you about _ where you can make savings. i want to ask you about broadband, - where you can make savings. i want to ask you about broadband, because 0fcom have urged broadband suppliers not to increase prices along the

lines of inflation. can not to increase prices along the lines of inflation.— not to increase prices along the lines of inflation. can they impact them or can _ lines of inflation. can they impact them or can providers _ lines of inflation. can they impact them or can providers do - them or can providers do whatever they want? this is another frustration around the cost of living. 0n broadband you can switch around and get better deals, but often you can end up in a fixed contract and they can run two years. almost uniquely for contracts which you are locked in for that period, a lot of providers have a clause which says, every year we can raise prices by a measure of inflation and on top of that around 3.9%. that is in the start of the contract and it can hit you in the middle of it. you are right, 0fcom have said they would like providers not to increase prices that much, but it is 0fcom's own rules and guidance which let the providers do this. it is almost unique in telecoms. so it's all very well the regulator saying we would really rather you didn't, but it their rules provide the option. next year, a lot of broadband providers

could put in quite nasty increases, baked into an above inflation contract, which again is not good news for customers. can contract, which again is not good news for customers.— contract, which again is not good news for customers. can ofcom change the rules? ofcom _ news for customers. can ofcom change the rules? ofcom could _ news for customers. can ofcom change the rules? ofcom could decide - news for customers. can ofcom change the rules? ofcom could decide to - the rules? ofcom could decide to look at changing _ the rules? ofcom could decide to look at changing the _ the rules? ofcom could decide to look at changing the rules, - the rules? ofcom could decide to look at changing the rules, they l look at changing the rules, they would have to run a process of consultation. it has chosen not to do that so far, so it's down to them. they probably couldn't do it retrospectively for contracts already baked in. so they still have questions to answer about why they thought this rule was appropriate in the first. when inflation is so high, it's starting to really bite customers. at u—switch we don't think it is fairfor customers. at u—switch we don't think it is fair for customers to shoulder the full burden of inflation that they contradict at the point they take the contract out. the big companies are much better placed to shoulder that risk when they are setting their prices on how much costs will go up, it

can't all be on the customer to take all of the risk when it comes to inflation, when everything else is going up as well. inflation, when everything else is going up as well-— going up as well. richard, really interesting _ going up as well. richard, really interesting analysis, _ going up as well. richard, really interesting analysis, thank- going up as well. richard, really interesting analysis, thank you. | the head of the royal navy has ordered an investigation into allegations of bullying and sexual harassment against female recruits in the submarine service. several women who served in the fleet have told the daily mail they faced mistreatment from all ranks. the first sea lord, admiral sir ben key, said any form of harassment would not be tolerated. 0ur defence correspondent paul adams has been giving me more details. they run the full gamut of sexual and physical assault, women being punched and hit by their male colleagues. male colleagues exposing themselves. women having their underwear stolen. and a bizarre rape list in which women are ranked according to the women that their male colleagues would rape in the event of a catastrophic event under water. and remember, these events are going on,

on long missions at sea, in cramped confines on a submarine. women often felt they were unable to complain or report any of this. these allegations are in the daily mail, not our investigation, we have not spoken to the women involved but clearly the navy is very alarmed by this. as you say, admiral sir ben key said he is deeply disturbed and he said the allegations are abhorrent, sexual assault and harassment has no place in the royal navy and will not be tolerated, he said. he has initiated his senior team to investigate. but campaigners say part of the problem is the royal navy should not be investigating itself, they want all such complaints to be investigated by an independent body. president biden has condemned a violent attack on the husband of the leading democrat nancy pelosi. paul pelosi was beaten with a hammer at their home in san francisco. he suffered a fractured skull and injuries to his right arm and hands, but is expected to make a full recovery. a man was arrested on charges including attempted murder. the attack has stoked fears about political violence in the run—up to the november

8th midterm elections. it's reported the same chant was used by this guy they have in custody that was used on january 6th in the attack on the us capitol. i'm not making this up. this is reported, i can't guarantee it, but i can tell you what's been reported. the chant was, "where's nancy, where's nancy, where's nancy?" this is despicable. there is no place in america... there is too much violence, political violence. the ministry of defence has accused the russian government of "peddling false claims" after moscow said uk forces helped with a drone attack on russian fleets near the crimean port of sevastopol. russian authorities say one warship was damaged in the attack overnight. ukraine has not yet acknowledged the incident. they also claimed that british forces were involved in the explosions which damaged the nord stream gas pipelines last month. responding to all the claims,

the mod said moscow was resorting to "invented stories to detract from their disastrous handling of the illegal invasion of ukraine". the un secretary general has urged all parties to renew the deal on ukrainian grain exports, which is due to expire next month. a spokesman for antonio guterres also called for the removal of any blocks on exports of russian grain and fertiliser. 0ur correspondent hugo bachega has the latest from kyiv. ukrainians are saying that russia is deliberately delaying the passage, the inspection of ships. president zelensky said there was a queue of 175 ships waiting to be inspected. this is a very complicated deal, the ships need to be inspected before coming to ukraine, then they are inspected again after being loaded in turkey by a team of turkish, russian, ukrainian experts, also officials from the un. the deal when it was negotiated injuly was celebrated as being a major diplomatic breakthrough.

antonio guterres, the un chief, was heavily involved in negotiating the details of the deal. he's now saying it is urgent for the deal to be extended. the deal expires in november. we've heard from russian officials, complaining that russian exports are still being hindered. we've heard from some russian authorities suggesting that perhaps russia could not renew this deal, so it's something that has been discussed here in ukraine. and again, this was a deal that was celebrated because it helped to ease a major global food crisis. so again, we've heard from antonio guterres, the un chief, saying it is urgent for this deal to be extended. there's major disruption to rail services across scotland due to a 24—hour walkout by scotrail workers. more than 2,000 members of the rmt union are taking part in the strike,

with trains running on just three routes in the central belt and all other services cancelled. 0ur scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie is at queen street station in glasgow. it would normally be really busy here on a saturday afternoon, but the concourse behind me is completely deserted at the moment. there are trains standing at the platform going absolutely nowhere. and also, if i look back at the departure board, it is almost completely empty. i am joined by phil campbell of scotrail. what does this 24 phil campbell of scotrail. what does this 2a hour strike mean for your customers? this 24 hour strike mean for your customers?— this 24 hour strike mean for your customers? ., . , ., , customers? today we are seeing only three routes — customers? today we are seeing only three routes operating _ customers? today we are seeing only three routes operating across - customers? today we are seeing only three routes operating across the - three routes operating across the country. — three routes operating across the country. a — three routes operating across the country, a significant reduction in services — country, a significant reduction in services that our customers would likely— services that our customers would likely see — services that our customers would likely see. particularly frustrating given— likely see. particularly frustrating given we — likely see. particularly frustrating given we are hosting the scotland —

australia _ given we are hosting the scotland — australia game today. far fewer services, — australia game today. far fewer services, as a result of the second straight _ services, as a result of the second straight day — services, as a result of the second straight day that the rmt have catied~ — straight day that the rmt have called. but i will say, it's particularly frustrating that we made — particularly frustrating that we made an— particularly frustrating that we made an improved offer this week, and rmt_ made an improved offer this week, and rmt bosses refused to put it to members — and rmt bosses refused to put it to members. �* . ., . , members. and also for customers travellin: members. and also for customers travelling today, _ members. and also for customers travelling today, services - members. and also for customers travelling today, services do - members. and also for customers travelling today, services do stop| members. and also for customers| travelling today, services do stop a bit earlier tonight as well. what advice to people who are expecting to travel today? we advice to people who are expecting to travel today?— to travel today? we have lots of information _ to travel today? we have lots of information out _ to travel today? we have lots of information out there _ to travel today? we have lots of information out there at - to travel today? we have lots of| information out there at stations and online. services stop at around 6:30pm _ and online. services stop at around 6:30pm this evening, and they will start 6z30pm this evening, and they will start later— 6:30pm this evening, and they will start later tomorrow as well, as we rehatance _ start later tomorrow as well, as we rebalance and set up the network. 30 rebalance and set up the network. sc a rebalance and set up the network. a knock—on rebalance and set up the network. sr a knock—on effect, rebalance and set up the network. 5r a knock—on effect, and it's notjust the strike action, it is also not quite an emergency timetable as previously, but there have been changes to the normal timetable because of the overtime ban as well. what are the implications,

day—to—day, for customers? fin what are the implications, day-to-day, for customers? on top of the strike action _ day-to-day, for customers? on top of the strike action the _ day-to-day, for customers? on top of the strike action the rmt _ day-to-day, for customers? on top of the strike action the rmt have - the strike action the rmt have called. — the strike action the rmt have called, two separate days we have had so _ called, two separate days we have had so far. — called, two separate days we have had so far, there is also a ban on overtime, — had so far, there is also a ban on overtime, they have asked all members _ overtime, they have asked all members not to work any additional overtime _ members not to work any additional overtime or— members not to work any additional overtime or rest day working. we haven't_ overtime or rest day working. we haven't changed the timetable, we are still— haven't changed the timetable, we are still operating a robust timetable. 1—2% of service is cancelled, so we would ask customers to plan— cancelled, so we would ask customers to plan ahead and check the train is running. _ to plan ahead and check the train is running. but— to plan ahead and check the train is running, but by and large a very robust _ running, but by and large a very robust service out with the strike davs _ robust service out with the strike da s. . , ., ' ., robust service out with the strike da s. . , ., . robust service out with the strike das. . , .,. , robust service out with the strike das. . , ., . , days. the latest offer of a 5% pay increase and _ days. the latest offer of a 596 pay increase and the _ days. the latest offer of a 596 pay increase and the £500 _ days. the latest offer of a 596 pay increase and the £500 payment | days. the latest offer of a 596 pay i increase and the £500 payment was rejected, as you say it wasn't put to the members, so what happens next? will there be another offer from scotrail to the rmt union? that ureatl from scotrail to the rmt union? that greatly improved offer was put to the rmt — greatly improved offer was put to the rmt bosses with the proviso they would _ the rmt bosses with the proviso they would pause the action we have seen today— would pause the action we have seen today and _ would pause the action we have seen today and put it to their members.

but unfortunately, for a members led trade union. — but unfortunately, for a members led trade union, we had a handful of rmt bosses _ trade union, we had a handful of rmt bosses who— trade union, we had a handful of rmt bosses who refused to deal and didn't— bosses who refused to deal and didn't put— bosses who refused to deal and didn't put it to their members. so we would — didn't put it to their members. so we would urge the rmt to rethink, put we would urge the rmt to rethink, out it— we would urge the rmt to rethink, out it to _ we would urge the rmt to rethink, put it to their members, get some feedback— put it to their members, get some feedback and lets call the strike off. feedback and lets call the strike off we — feedback and lets call the strike off. we need to focus on recovery from _ off. we need to focus on recovery from covid — off. we need to focus on recovery from covid and deliver a reliable service, — from covid and deliver a reliable service, and we need to try and bring _ service, and we need to try and bring back the 20% who are not using the rail— bring back the 20% who are not using the rail service. bring back the 2096 who are not using the rail service.— the rail service. what does happen next? the rmt — the rail service. what does happen next? the rmt have _ the rail service. what does happen next? the rmt have rejected, - next? the rmt have rejected, we don't know if they will eventually put it to their members, and they have said the strike action will continue as long as necessary. can this go on? we continue as long as necessary. can this go on?— continue as long as necessary. can this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink. _ this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink, we _ this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink, we have _ this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink, we have had - this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink, we have had lots - this go on? we very much hope the rmt rethink, we have had lots of. rmt rethink, we have had lots of feedback— rmt rethink, we have had lots of feedback from front—line staff who are quite _ feedback from front—line staff who are quite frustrated they haven't been _ are quite frustrated they haven't been consulted on this. the package we put _ been consulted on this. the package we put forward was very robust, up to 7~5%_ we put forward was very robust, up to 75% basic— we put forward was very robust, up to 7.5% basic pay for front line, but a _ to 7.5% basic pay for front line,

but a whole _ to 7.5% basic pay for front line, but a whole suite of additional measures that would add thousands of pounds _ measures that would add thousands of pounds in _ measures that would add thousands of pounds in pay over a year. an additional— pounds in pay over a year. an additional 10% to work on sundays. six years— additional 10% to work on sundays. six years no— additional 10% to work on sundays. six years no compulsory redundancy. given _ six years no compulsory redundancy. given the _ six years no compulsory redundancy. given the financial difficulties the whole _ given the financial difficulties the whole world is in, that a significant offer and we urge the rmt to— significant offer and we urge the rmt to think again.— significant offer and we urge the rmt to think again. what about the scottish government? _ rmt to think again. what about the scottish government? scotrail - rmt to think again. what about the scottish government? scotrail was j scottish government? scotrail was nationalised in april, what if anything could the scottish government do to help move things on a bit, to help stop the strike action continuing through the winter? ., , ,., . winter? the scottish government have been really supportive, _ winter? the scottish government have been really supportive, but _ winter? the scottish government have been really supportive, but they've - been really supportive, but they've also been — been really supportive, but they've also been really clear that the trade — also been really clear that the trade union and the employer are best placed to fix this. i accept that, _ best placed to fix this. i accept that, that's why we made an improved offer~ _ that, that's why we made an improved offer~ we _ that, that's why we made an improved offer. we urge the rmt to think about— offer. we urge the rmt to think about that. we need to focus on recovering — about that. we need to focus on recovering the railway from the pandemic. as i said, 20% fewer customers, _ pandemic. as i said, 20% fewer customers, that 20% less revenue, and given— customers, that 20% less revenue, and given we are a publicly funded bodv, _ and given we are a publicly funded body, we — and given we are a publicly funded body, we need to make sure the offer

that we _ body, we need to make sure the offer that we make is balanced notjust for our— that we make is balanced notjust for our staff but also for the tax—payer. if for our staff but also for the tax-pawn— for our staff but also for the tax-a er. ~ .,�* , tax-payer. if the rmt don't accept this, can scotrail— tax-payer. if the rmt don't accept this, can scotrail offer _ tax-payer. if the rmt don't accept this, can scotrail offer more - tax-payer. if the rmt don't accept this, can scotrail offer more or. this, can scotrail offer more or what do you think is going to happen over the winter? are customers going to be subjected to more days of strike action like this? we are really frustrated we have had two days of strike action. we really frustrated we have had two days of strike action.— days of strike action. we believe that 0fcom _ days of strike action. we believe that ofcom away _ days of strike action. we believe that ofcom away and _ days of strike action. we believe that ofcom away and above - days of strike action. we believe - that ofcom away and above anything that 0fcom away and above anything we have _ that 0fcom away and above anything we have offered previously, should be enough — we have offered previously, should be enough to get us over the line. lots of— be enough to get us over the line. lots of feedback from front line colleagues. —— we believe that offer. — colleagues. —— we believe that offer, away and above anything we have offered previously. just offer, away and above anything we have offered previously.— have offered previously. just for clari , have offered previously. just for clarity. it's _ have offered previously. just for clarity. it's not _ have offered previously. just for clarity, it's not drivers _ have offered previously. just for clarity, it's not drivers who - have offered previously. just for clarity, it's not drivers who are i clarity, it's not drivers who are striking. the drivers were in a dispute over pay, but that was resolved. can you explain for clarity who is striking today? for clari , clarity who is striking today? for clarity. not _ clarity who is striking today? for clarity, not the train drivers, they are at— clarity, not the train drivers, they are at work— clarity, not the train drivers, they are at work and they have accepted a

pay offer _ are at work and they have accepted a pay offer of _ are at work and they have accepted a pay offer of 5%. this is staff who work _ pay offer of 5%. this is staff who work on — pay offer of 5%. this is staff who work on the front line predominantly, the station teams, on train teams. — predominantly, the station teams, on train teams, maintenance teams. all very important, essential to make the train _ very important, essential to make the train service run. you really don't _ the train service run. you really don't want _ the train service run. you really don't want to see them losing pay when _ don't want to see them losing pay when there is such a robust offer. each _ when there is such a robust offer. each strike — when there is such a robust offer. each strike day, that is a day of lost pav — each strike day, that is a day of lost pay. given the terms of the financial— lost pay. given the terms of the financial crisis, we don't want that to continue — financial crisis, we don't want that to continue-— to continue. phil, thank you very much indeed. _ to continue. phil, thank you very much indeed. that's _ to continue. phil, thank you very much indeed. that's the - to continue. phil, thank you very much indeed. that's the picture | to continue. phil, thank you very l much indeed. that's the picture in glasgow. and across the country. deserted train station here today, and things probably not getting back to normal until monday, possibly. thank you. thousands of protesters have called for reform to the childcare sector is an parental

leave. these were the scenes at one of the "march of the mummies" events in leeds city centre this morning. campaigners say maternity and paternity leave should be ringfenced and properly paid and alljobs should be flexible by default. the government says it is "committed to supporting working parents and helping them participate at work". a busy day in the premier league, five matches under way. earlier, manchester city went top after a 1—0 win at leicester, kevin de bruyne with the game just a few minutes into the second half. city overcame the absence of hurling whole and to secure their ninth league win of the season. elsewhere, graham potter makes his highly anticipated return to brighton. the former brighton boss returning as chelsea manager, it is currently 2—0 to brighton.

early in the first half. speaking of new managers, unai emery is the new aston villa manager, but the caretaker boss is in charge against newcastle, still goalless there and the rest of the games. you can follow on the bbc sport website. rangers hosting aberdeen, one of four games under way. second against third. currently goalless. hibernian and st mirren both with their eye on third spot if aberdeen come unstuck at ibrox. motherwell looking for a third straight win, at tannadice. just a point between stjohnstone and kilmarnock, stjohnstone leading 1-0. and kilmarnock, stjohnstone leading 1—0. wales are out of the world cup at the quarterfinal stage after being addressed by defending champions new zealand. they scored

nine tries as they won 55—3 against wales, including two from portia woodman, which earned her a place in the record books. she overtakes england's sous day as the rugby world cup's all—time leading try scorer. iikla world cup's all-time leading try scorer. ., , . a scorer. no regrets, we asked the uirls to scorer. no regrets, we asked the girls to give _ scorer. no regrets, we asked the girls to give their— scorer. no regrets, we asked the girls to give their all and - scorer. no regrets, we asked the girls to give their all and show. girls to give their all and show some heart. new zealand definitely stepped up from the pool game, and... it is testament to our defence. and... it is testament to our defence-— and... it is testament to our defence. england are playing greece in their final — defence. england are playing greece in their final group _ defence. england are playing greece in their final group match _ defence. england are playing greece in their final group match of the - in their final group match of the rugby league world cup, having already qualified for the quarterfinals. england put two tries on the board but greece hit back, punishing a moment of loose defensive work by the hosts. but four first—half tries have put england clear of danger, with ryan

hall also scoring. england looked to be running away with it. tom burgess, lees and william is also going over to make it 44—4, at half—time. georgia taylor—brown has beaten the usa's tailor spidey to retain her super league title for the second year in a row. it was an all british podium at the inaugural super league triathlon in saudi arabia. the grand finale of the season, and it was a day to remember. she also took home $50,000 as champion, just over £43,000. the mexican grand prix this weekend, ferrari's charles leclerc was unhurt after a crash in friday practice. he lost control and spanned backwards into the barrier, wringing his session to an end and causing a red

flag for barrier repairs. his team—mate carlos sainz topped the first session. mercedes�* george russell was in second. that is all the sport for now. more on the website. you can follow the premier league action. more in the next hour. israelis head to the polls on tuesday for their fifth election in four years. the current coalition is fighting to stay in power, as former prime minister benjamin netanyahu attempts a comeback. but to do so, he�*s relying on the growing strength of an ultra—nationalist, far right alliance. 0ur middle east correspondent tom bateman reports. meet the new army of young voters in israel, putting theirfaith in ultra—nationalism. they�*re waiting for their hero. and enter from the far right, itamar ben—gvir. he�*s the follower of a racist movement and wants to expel what he calls disloyal arabs.

ben—gvir rouses his supporters over security. translation: they should not see the light of day, _ a death sentence for the terrorists. ben—gvir electrifies his fans. they are excited because they feel they�*re on the verge of getting a lot stronger. a man who many felt could be kept to the fringes of israeli politics could be about to enter its government. polls suggest his party could get more seats than ever for the extreme right in the coming election. listen, i love israel and... ..thejihad. why do you want to ask the man they want? they want kill me and kill you, thejihadis. why do you want to expel palestinians you say are disloyal, mr ben—gvir? where tensions flare, ben—gvir will be there to pour on fuel, say his critics.

in occupied eastjerusalem, he pulled out his gun, calling for palestinians who throw stones to be shot. he taunted them, saying they�*d be mown down. former prime minister benjamin netanyahu, or bibi, rallies his own base. he�*s nurtured the extreme right, hoping to boost coalition numbers for a return to power. this veteran observer of israeli politics thinks it�*s a fateful moment. it�*s a question of what type of democracy and what type of country does it want to have. 0n the one hand, you have forces like itamar ben—gvir and his partner, bezalel smotrich, led by benjamin netanyahu, who want to change the type of democracy that we have in the state of israel, want to take us potentially into a dark moment. the current coalition�*s election ads warn that netanyahu needs the far right�*s backing as he tries to swerve corruption charges, which he denies. the incumbents say they�*re tough on security amid spiralling violence this year.

the policies affect the many. in the occupied west bank, the army is still blocking roads from nablus over palestinian gun attacks and after a soldier was shot dead a fortnight ago. it is a slow road and palestinians call this collective punishment. back at the rally, ben—gvir�*s fans think only his party can keep them safe. there are people that have target, have go and they go forward. they don�*t care what is on their way. what do you mean by that? they have a target. they go forward. what do they believe? where we should be. and they go there. their opponents call them pyromaniacs as they portray themselves as patriots. israel�*s race to break its election deadlock sees a battle over how far the far right will reach. tom bateman, bbc news, jerusalem.

it is a pretty autumnal sort of weekend. low pressure nearby. fairly strong winds, add bits of rain mostly affecting west areas. the further east the better chance of staying dry. low pressure sitting out to the west of the uk, bringing lots of isobars. lots of weather fronts, hence the rain. an airsource coming up from the south, from the subtropics and that is why it is so mild for the time of year across all parts. through this evening rain eventually clears from scotland. some showers will be heavy, blustery here as well. more persistent rain affecting the southeast, too. nowhere is particularly cold, with lows of 10—14. don�*t forget, the clocks go back one hour early on sunday.

a mild note with some sunshine around what about the rain cleared from the south—east but plenty of showers affecting northern and western parts. winter quite a feature touching gale force in the far south—west. another fairly mild day. the household energy supplier 0ctopus energy has reached a deal to buy bulb, one of the companies which collapsed last year amid soaring wholesale gas and electricity prices. the head of the royal navy orders an investigation into allegations that female recruits have been sexually abused and harassed on submarines. president biden condemns an attack on the husband of senior democrat, nancy pelosi, saying there�*s too much vitriol in us politics.