keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy plans to build the northern powerhouse rail link are likely to be scaled back as the government tries to cut spending. northern ireland secretary chris heaton harris says there will be no stormont elections before christmas and the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions out of london good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. in a week that's been dominated by news about the immigration system,

the bbc has heard evidence that albanian drug gangs are using migrant camps in northern france as a recruitment ground, offering to pay the passage of people who looking for better economic prospects and are prepared to work in the uk's illegal drugs trade. albanians account for at least one third of the 38,000 people who've crossed the channel to england this year, according to the latest government figures. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson reports. for each boat, each migrant, there can be many smugglers. albanian fixers, uk guarantors, kurdish criminal gangs. one man who paid for a place on a kurdish boat this summer says he was approached by recruiters for the uk drugs trade in a dunkirk migrant camp. translation: they offered

me lots of things - - to pay for thejourney, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me four or five times. this is where the albanian migrant trail begins. small towns like laknas marked by absence — the shuttered houses and empty cafes — leftovers of an exodus that's spiked this year. as the price of crossing to the uk has dropped, the suburbs around tirana are being drained of people. locals in this neighbourhood say 70% of the community has already left, and many of those living here now are thinking ofjoining them. adverts on albanian social media promise easy passage for about £3,000, with middlemen on hand to arrange transport from brussels, paris or dunkirk. we contacted some of them, posing as an albanian client. within half an hour, we had two offers for crossings, different options for payment, and advice on claiming asylum in the uk. this system is one reason uk police

say the networks are hard to break. whereas in drugs, firearms, you would see a hierarchical structure with a kingpin at the top, we don't see that with organised immigration crime. we see close associations, loose networks across that migration route. french officials say that albanians are acting as middlemen for the iraqi kurdish gangs that still control most boat crossings from france. this woman's son crossed from dunkirk last month without the help of fixers, or even the money to pay the smugglers. a relative in england acted as guarantor, she said, and got her son across. his younger brother — just 14 years old — is already planning his own trip. each successful crossing, an invisible thread that tugs at the minds of albanians back home.

lucy williamson, bbc news, dunkirk. we can hear more from the bbc�*s home editor, mark easton. i mean, the numbers are extraordinary. two years ago, we had 50 albanians crossing in small boats. this year, already, 12,000 of which 10,000 are single men. that equates to about i to 2% of all the single men in albania. just as lucy was finding there's almost abandoned villages. they're coming here. i think there are there are three groups of people who are on those boats. there are the economic migrants, because albania is a very poor country, incomes ten times in the uk, ten times, nine, ten times greater than albania. you can see why that would be a draw. the criminals, the traffickers, exactly as lucy was finding out. but it's also worth reminding ourselves that within that group there are also victims of trafficking, victims of exploitation, and victims of modern day slavery. if i tell you that in the three months, july, august, september

this year, the modern day slavery referral system saw 934 just in those three months, albanian adults identified as potential victims and 204 albanian children under 18 year olds also identified just in those 90 odd days. so you can see some of them, of course, willjust be trying it on using that as a way of staying in the country. but it's worth knowing that on the most recent figures, somewhere between 80 and 90% of those who are referred to that referral mechanism, their cases are upheld. discounts on energy bills will be offered to households that use less power during peak times under plans from the national grid to avoid blackouts. the scheme is going to be tested in england, scotland and wales on 12 days between now and march, though only properties with a smart metre will be able to take part. national grid estimates it could save eligible households up to £100.

our business correspondent emma simpson reports. it's the time of day when many of us get home, put on the lights and all the appliances, as well. but millions of us could now earn money off our bills by using less electricity when demand is at its peak. julie in saffron walden is up for it. so what i've done is i've ditched the kettle and i've bought this water dispenser. and the reason i've done that is because i was finding that i was boiling the same piece of water time and time again. she's already taken part in a small trial this year, and is signed up for the national grid's new scheme. if you've got enough notice — which normally may be the day before — you can plan around it, you can just sort of say, we're going to have dinner at this time. and i think it's a really good thing for everybody to try and do if they are able to. i think it's something that i've found that i've actually enjoyed doing as part of our lives. and you've earned some money. earned a bit money out of it, yeah.

so what's the deal with the national grid's demand flexibility scheme? there are 12 one—hour tests planned for this winter. they'll take place between 4pm and 7pm — peak time for energy use. national grid says a typical household could save £100 off their bills. but it all depends on how much energy you use, and your energy company. you need a smart metre to take part. most energy suppliers are in the process of signing up. to really reduce your electricity use, it's all about the big appliances — like the washing machine, the tumble dryer and the dishwasher — using them late in the evening, or even overnight. but is the financial incentive going to be big enough to get households and businesses to take part? here at national grid, they have to balance supply and demand by the minute. they want to be able to save two gigawatts of electricity during peak hours if needed — the equivalent of powering

a million homes. they are running these things as trials but it's reallyjust about seeing what works. it's something they've never tried on this scale before. they've got mothballed coal plants on standby, as well — all to help this control room keep the lights on this winter in these challenging times. emma simpson, bbc news, reading. major infrastructure projects are under review, as the government tries to reduce spending. the possible cuts, which have been revealed to the bbc, include a high speed rail line promised for the north of england. a treasury spokesperson has insisted that infrastructure projects remain "a priority". our business editor simonjack has more. northern powerhouse mail is going to be an allsinging northern powerhouse mail is going to be an all singing all dancing network in the north of england to

connect places as far from hull to liverpool but starting in manchester, leeds and yorkshire. that was a big splash about that, then, borisjohnson last year when grant shapps said was their transport minister said they were not only downgrading that but also cancelling the eastern leg of hst. when liz truss came into power, she said that it was all back on, they're all singing, all dancing northern powerhouse rail. with a stop at bradford which is one of their wares connected cities in the north. i have lent that has been downgraded and we are back to the pre—truss version. i asked grant shapps saying why are you downgrading it when you promised that people's jenny time would downgrading it when you promised that people'sjenny time would be better? this is what he said. the line itself can _ better? this is what he said. the line itself can deliver a 33 minutes journey— line itself can deliver a 33 minutes journey from manchester to leeds, quadruple — journey from manchester to leeds, quadruple nearly the capacity of that line — quadruple nearly the capacity of

that line and doing so without having — that line and doing so without having to _ that line and doing so without having to wait an extra 20 years beyond — having to wait an extra 20 years beyond the delivery of what the upgrade — beyond the delivery of what the upgrade can do. we will be able to provide _ upgrade can do. we will be able to provide ali— upgrade can do. we will be able to provide all of that upgrade, there wasn't _ provide all of that upgrade, there wasn't much point of going in blasting — wasn't much point of going in blasting new tunnels through the pennines. . , blasting new tunnels through the pennines. ., , ., , ., _ pennines. last night i was told by sources that _ pennines. last night i was told by sources that every _ pennines. last night i was told by sources that every major - pennines. last night i was told by sources that every major capital l sources that every major capital spending project was under review including things like the dartford tunnel, the tunnel by stonehenge, this morning, however, downing street has said on sizewell c, the new reactor in suffolk, that is no longer under review. they are hoping to proceed with that. i hope this illustrates that they are looking behind every question in the sofa to find some money. we will find out more about their plans on the 17th of november. i'm nowjoined by martin tugwell, chief executive for transport for the north — which campaigns for better links across the north—east of england. are you disappointed by the suggestion that a review could see this project been scaled back?

we will obviously wait to see what the chancellor set out in his statement in two weeks' time. we were very heartened when we had the chancellor in one of his first statements in the house recognise the importance of capital investment as being at the heart of a credible economic growth strategy. i think it is notjust the investment of the public sector, it is a signal to the private sector. we have seen it time and again across the uk, where commitments from the national government in london or in birmingham have led to investment coming from the private sector. it is notjust what coming from the private sector. it is not just what we do coming from the private sector. it is notjust what we do in the public sector it is the cash left for something private. we will continue to make the case for investing in the full northern powerhouse rail scheme because it is the only way we have identified that will unlock the true economic potential of the north. ~ ., ,., _ north. what the government might say in liuht north. what the government might say in li . ht of north. what the government might say in light of what — north. what the government might say in light of what you _ north. what the government might say in light of what you have _ north. what the government might say in light of what you have said _ north. what the government might say in light of what you have said is - in light of what you have said is that you are absently right, of course public commitment and not private investment because he was

going to invest when they don't know whether the government is committed to a project? but at the moment, nobody is investing because of the state of the global economy. therefore, actually, packing this for a couple of years wouldn't make a lot of difference because there is not much private investment anyway? we have seen from the work we have done an hour role which is to advise government as to their investment priorities to achieve economic growth. we have seen evidence from our own work that if you want to unlock the economy of the north, if you want to realise its potential, you want to realise its potential, you need to invest in capital investment. the sooner we start that investment, the sooner we will realise the economic growth that will benefit notjust the north but also the communities and the people living in this committee. we have seen many years where we haven't had the benefit of significant investment, i think we need to make the case quite rightly on behalf of both of our residents and our businesses. fin

both of our residents and our businesses.— both of our residents and our businesses. , ., ., , ., , businesses. on behalf of people in the north of— businesses. on behalf of people in the north of england, _ businesses. on behalf of people in the north of england, they - businesses. on behalf of people in the north of england, they are - the north of england, they are saying at the moment, it is a shambles, promises for tomorrow don't mean anything therefore even if the government announces that this project is dead, let say it did in two weeks, there wouldn't be much public reaction in the north of england because people have already got used to the fact that they are inadequately served, at the moment we know the trans— pennine express seems to be in chaos, there seems to be all kinds of cancellations. 0ther train services like avante west coast which have been given a six—month renewal of their franchise which means the service has been pooh which means the service has been poor. the company itself admits that. 0verall, people have given up, haven't they? given up on having expectations for organisations and government delivering. they can promised for years and it hasn't happened. we promised for years and it hasn't happened-— promised for years and it hasn't ha ened. ~ . ., ., , happened. we have got to get this riuht. we happened. we have got to get this right- we have _ happened. we have got to get this right. we have been _ happened. we have got to get this right. we have been very - happened. we have got to get this right. we have been very clear- happened. we have got to get this| right. we have been very clear that it isn't acceptable, the current situation. it has made it even more

pertinent by the fact that when we saw the recovery from the pandemic, passenger numbers came back faster and stronger in the north than anywhere else in the country. the rail network and the rail system is really at the heart of our transport system. that is why we need to make sure we have the investment in the delivery of services now. that is also why we need to plan for growth. notjust in terms of faster trains bet more trains. if we are going to connect the likes of newcastle to sheffield, hull to liverpool. we need an additional capacity. if we're going to unlock the potential of bradford, we need to cede their investment in that city. if we are going to improve connections across the entire country, leeds the source of —— the third source of delays in the entire network. investing in the north isn'tjust about the entire network. investing in the north isn't just about their north's economic potential, it actually benefits the entire country.

the headlines on bbc news. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants — to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade. keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times . plans to build the northern powerhouse rail link are likely to be scaled back as the government tries to cut spending. it's been confirmed that there won't be a stormont assembly election this year. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris had said another election would be called, after the deadline to restore power sharing passed last week. currently a vote is still required within the next three months. let's hear from our correspondent. that is what the law says, i suppose

it is not impossible that there could be an amendment to the legislation, the government has a majority in westminster so presumably all options are on the table? ., , presumably all options are on the table? .,, ~' , presumably all options are on the table? ,, ., ., ., table? the most likely scenario that the arties table? the most likely scenario that the parties here _ table? the most likely scenario that the parties here are _ table? the most likely scenario that the parties here are now— table? the most likely scenario that the parties here are now expecting. the parties here are now expecting is for the northern ireland secretary, chris heaton—harris, to pass some legislation which enables him to put the deadline for that election back. at one point, a christmas selection on the 15th of december had been all but certain. polling stations were put on notice, thousands of election staff were clearing their diaries. that is now off the table. he would need to pass some new legislation to say that he has not having to hold an election by the 19th of january, still the ultimate deadline at the moment. after all of this talking up of christmas campaigning, why the change, everyone is asking. we understand, behind the scenes there was an intervention by the new prime minister, rishi sunak, he wanted to

get things more time. what is happening in parallel with this is that the uk is still negotiating with the eu over what is called the northern ireland protocol. no special brexit trading arrangements that only apply to northern ireland. that is really the big problem here for the dup, that is the reason they say they will not go back into power sharing because they see the new trading border and the irish sea, is cutting northern ireland from its place as part of the uk. pretty much everyone here agrees that any election here before christmas wasn't going to solve anything without getting any changes on the current problem is that the dup seas and unionist politicians here see with the brexit arrangement. quite a lot relief today that politicians and having tojuggle lot relief today that politicians and having to juggle their christmas shopping and campaigning at the same time. i don't think many voters were looking forward to a christmas election either. is looking forward to a christmas election either.—

election either. is there any possibility _ election either. is there any possibility that _ election either. is there any possibility that maybe - election either. is there any| possibility that maybe these election either. is there any - possibility that maybe these talks at the eu could reach some kind of resolution within the next six months, let's say, that might make it possible for power sharing to be restored without an election? there bein: a restored without an election? there being a change _ restored without an election? there being a change of— restored without an election? there being a change of prime _ restored without an election? ii—ii” being a change of prime minister has projected a new approach to some degree into that behind the scenes, we can read into it that perhaps there is some optimism for rishi sunak that he may want to get something fresh from these negotiations that could be brought back to the northern ireland parties. it remains to be seen as to whatever concessions they get from the eu as to whether that will satisfy the dup's demands. they are taking a very firm position on this, they are not budging. they see the idea of new tax on goods coming from great britain to northern ireland as undermining northern ireland's place within the uk. severing as a way from the uk as a whole. that goes right to the heart of what the

democratic unionist party believe in. they are no stranger to holding a very tough line. at the moment, it looks like the only way to break the deadlock would be concessions from the eu that meet the dup's demands. 0r, the eu that meet the dup's demands. or, as the dup has said, the legislation that is going through government at the moment to override parts of the protocol is something else that the dup wants to see before it says it will go back into power sharing. the problem with that is that it is a collision course with the eu, consider that breaking international law and taking legal action over there. the big picture is that solving the crisis here at the moment doesn't really seem to be within the gift of stormont because it is all dependent on what is going on between the uk and the eu. although, saying that, lots of criticism from the dup's opponent sinn fein for the sense they are taking on this, sinn fein saying that it doesn't say voters to be holding us to ransom and staying out of power—sharing on this point of principle over the northern ireland

protocol. an election everyone believed wasn't going to solve that. here we are. still no government, but no election either. we will have to see what comes from the talks with the eu. covid—19 infections have dropped in the uk but have continued to increase in ireland. latest official statistics showed that 1.9 million people tested positive for covid—19 down from the week previous. the social media company twitter has told its 7,500 staff — via email — that majorjob cuts are coming, following the firm's takeover by the billionaire elon musk. staff have been told they will know by 4pm today whether they still have a job. some staff have already posted on twitter that they have been fired and locked out of their work email accounts. our technology correspondent

zoe kleinmanjoins me now. are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. what a lousy _ are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. what a lousy stat _ are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. what a lousy stat to _ are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. what a lousy stat to the _ are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. what a lousy stat to the weekend i are you in glasgow zoe? yes i am. l what a lousy stat to the weekend for twitter employees.— twitter employees. quite a bad time to be working _ twitter employees. quite a bad time to be working at _ twitter employees. quite a bad time to be working at social— twitter employees. quite a bad time to be working at social networks - twitter employees. quite a bad time to be working at social networks in l to be working at social networks in general i think. twitter is no exception, it hasn't made a profit in a long time. and, it has been taken over now by elon musk, the multi—billionaire and he is starting to bring in big changes. he had said from the start that one of the changes he was planning to make was laying off staff. we know that he favours engineers and coders over managers and what we are seeing anecdotally as it does seem to be people working in communications and management that seem to have been affected. it is really sad to watch this play out on twitter itself. there is a hashtag called one team. if you look at that you will see lots of people tweeting that they think they have lost theirjobs. they can't get into their work

e—mails, they are waiting for an e—mails, they are waiting for an e—mail to their personal accounts to tell them and theirjob is at risk. 0bviously, tell them and theirjob is at risk. obviously, this is happening across different time zones because twitter is based all around the world. we think there is a couple of thousand employees here in the uk and an island. they are just waiting to see what happens to them next. we will hear from one _ what happens to them next. we will hear from one of _ what happens to them next. we will hear from one of them. _ we are joined by simon balmain, who was a senior community manager until today, as he believes he's been fired by twitter. do you know if they have terminated your employment? i do you know if they have terminated your employment?— your employment? i don't. i am operating _ your employment? i don't. i am operating under _ your employment? i don't. i am operating under the _ your employment? i don't. i am operating under the assumptionj your employment? i don't. i am - operating under the assumption that we will— operating under the assumption that we will hear very shortly. obviously, there are protests to be followed _ obviously, there are protests to be followed in different markets, there are labour— followed in different markets, there are labour laws that you can't signal— are labour laws that you can't signal and _ are labour laws that you can't signal and i think everyone will be paying _ signal and i think everyone will be paying close attention to whether

those _ paying close attention to whether those right processes are followed. presumably, twitter doesn't have an arrangement with the unions in this country? given thejob arrangement with the unions in this country? given the job you have, arrangement with the unions in this country? given thejob you have, do you effectively work on your own? i you effectively work on your own? i mean, yes... i have been primarily working _ mean, yes... i have been primarily working with — mean, yes... i have been primarily working with focus in the us based on the _ working with focus in the us based on the projects that i am personally involved _ on the projects that i am personally involved in — on the projects that i am personally involved in-— involved in. what is that? what do ou do for involved in. what is that? what do you do for twitter? _ involved in. what is that? what do you do for twitter? my _ involved in. what is that? what do you do for twitter? my primary - involved in. what is that? what do | you do for twitter? my primary role has been to — you do for twitter? my primary role has been to work— you do for twitter? my primary role has been to work on _ you do for twitter? my primary role has been to work on new _ you do for twitter? my primary role has been to work on new features l you do for twitter? my primary rolel has been to work on new features as the interface between the product and the _ the interface between the product and the users. creating these very ti-ht and the users. creating these very tight net— and the users. creating these very tight net alpha programme is telling theirs _ tight net alpha programme is telling theirs into— tight net alpha programme is telling theirs into beta programmes and bringing — theirs into beta programmes and bringing more people in, making sure we operate _ bringing more people in, making sure we operate transparently and build in publio _ we operate transparently and build in public. and, making sure that we are building — in public. and, making sure that we are building things that people actually— are building things that people actually want to use. you are building things that people actually want to use.— are building things that people actually want to use. you say that ou have actually want to use. you say that you have been — actually want to use. you say that you have been locked _ actually want to use. you say that you have been locked out - actually want to use. you say that you have been locked out of- actually want to use. you say that you have been locked out of your| you have been locked out of your work e—mail account. how are you going to know whether you've been

sacked or not because you won't get the e—mail? sacked or not because you won't get the email?— sacked or not because you won't get the e-mail?_ the e-mail? well, this is the thing. the have the e-mail? well, this is the thing. they have my _ the e-mail? well, this is the thing. they have my personal _ the e-mail? well, this is the thing. they have my personal e-mail. - the e-mail? well, this is the thing. they have my personal e-mail. we | they have my personal e—mail. we will see _ they have my personal e—mail. we will see what happens. at they have my personal e-mail. we will see what happens.— will see what happens. at the moment. _ will see what happens. at the moment. you _ will see what happens. at the moment, you don't _ will see what happens. at the moment, you don't think- will see what happens. at the l moment, you don't think things will see what happens. at the - moment, you don't think things are very hopeful? ha. moment, you don't think things are very hopeful?— moment, you don't think things are ve ho eful? ., ., ., very hopeful? no. i mean, the rumour is that we had — very hopeful? no. i mean, the rumour is that we had heard _ very hopeful? no. i mean, the rumour is that we had heard in _ very hopeful? no. i mean, the rumour is that we had heard in their— very hopeful? no. i mean, the rumour is that we had heard in their room - is that we had heard in their room days— is that we had heard in their room days prior— is that we had heard in their room days prior to— is that we had heard in their room days prior to this e—mail going out were _ days prior to this e—mail going out were pacing — days prior to this e—mail going out were pacing very large figures as a percentage of the company. it's really— percentage of the company. it's really a — percentage of the company. it's really a coin flip for everyone at this point _ really a coin flip for everyone at this point-— this point. zoe was 'ust saying luck, it's not h this point. zoe was 'ust saying luck, it's not an _ this point. zoe wasjust saying luck, it's not an easy - this point. zoe wasjust saying luck, it's not an easy time - this point. zoe wasjust saying luck, it's not an easy time to l this point. zoe wasjust saying l luck, it's not an easy time to be this point. zoe wasjust saying - luck, it's not an easy time to be in social media. for years we have thought of it as the growth industry a place where a lot of young talented programmers like yourself wanted to get into. suddenly, all of the companies are retrenching. that's true. i think this is why the

new acquisition, then you acquire is felt that— new acquisition, then you acquire is felt that they spent some time in court _ felt that they spent some time in court trying to argue that they didn't— court trying to argue that they didn't want to do this any more before — didn't want to do this any more before ultimately doing it at the original— before ultimately doing it at the original price. since then, all public— original price. since then, all public companies in this area, their share _ public companies in this area, their share valuers have generally dropped quite a _ share valuers have generally dropped quite a lot _ share valuers have generally dropped quite a lot. it share valuers have generally dropped uuite a lot. . . share valuers have generally dropped uuite a lot. ., , ., share valuers have generally dropped uuite a lot. ., ., , _ share valuers have generally dropped uuitealot. quite a lot. it was a happy accident from elon musk's _ quite a lot. it was a happy accident from elon musk's point _ quite a lot. it was a happy accident from elon musk's point of - quite a lot. it was a happy accident from elon musk's point of view. . quite a lot. it was a happy accident from elon musk's point of view. it| from elon musk's point of view. it has worked out quite well for him. well, i don't know. because he had to acquire _ well, i don't know. because he had to acquire the company at the value of his— to acquire the company at the value of his original affair. fair to acquire the company at the value of his original affair.— of his original affair. fair point. let me just _ of his original affair. fair point. let me just ask, _ of his original affair. fair point. let me just ask, i'm _ of his original affair. fair point. let me just ask, i'm going - of his original affair. fair point. let me just ask, i'm going to l of his original affair. fair point. i let me just ask, i'm going to ask let mejust ask, i'm going to ask this question bearing in mind we are live at the time of day in the uk. what do you think of mr mask? —— elon musk?

what do you think of mr mask? -- eton musk?— what do you think of mr mask? -- elon musk? interesting question. i ersonall elon musk? interesting question. i personally try _ elon musk? interesting question. i personally try rrot _ elon musk? interesting question. i personally try not to _ elon musk? interesting question. i personally try not to judge - elon musk? interesting question. i personally try not to judge people | personally try not to judge people that i_ personally try not to judge people that i don't know or haven't had a personal— that i don't know or haven't had a personal interaction with, i am generally— personal interaction with, i am generally quite an open—minded person~ — generally quite an open—minded person i— generally quite an open—minded person. i don't really know too much person. idon't really know too much about— person. i don't really know too much about hinr. _ person. idon't really know too much about hinr. if— person. i don't really know too much about him, if there had been some communication from him or his team in the _ communication from him or his team in the past _ communication from him or his team in the past week then i might have something — in the past week then i might have something to go off. i really don't. he has— something to go off. i really don't. he has obviously worked on a lot of interesting — he has obviously worked on a lot of interesting companies and doing really— interesting companies and doing really successful things with his companies, i don't know if that experience in physical products like cars and _ experience in physical products like cars and spaceships necessarily translates to social media. would ou let translates to social media. would you let my _ translates to social media. would you let my colleague _ translates to social media. would you let my colleague who - translates to social media. would you let my colleague who spoke l translates to social media. would l you let my colleague who spoke to you let my colleague who spoke to you earlier, letting him or her know when you know your fate. i think people at home would like to know. we often introduce people and say we don't know what is happening in the

future and then we don't tell people. so if you wouldn't mind we be very grateful. i hope one way or another things work out.— be very grateful. i hope one way or another things work out. thank you very much- — another things work out. thank you very much- let's — another things work out. thank you very much. let's return _ another things work out. thank you very much. let's return to - another things work out. thank you very much. let's return to zoe. - very much. let's return to zoe. there is a — very much. let's return to zoe. there is a interesting _ very much. let's return to zoe. there is a interesting question | there is a interesting question today which simon made, is this deal is good of a deal as elon musk thought it was going to be? elan thought it was going to be? elon musk aid thought it was going to be? elon musk paid over— thought it was going to be? elm musk paid over the odds for the company, his offer of $41; billion was always more than the company was worth. this was partly why twitter pursued him when he then changed his mind and said he wasn't sure if he wanted to go ahead with a deal. i think they realise that this was financially the best offer they were ever going to get. the question really is what is the risk chess man in the world want with this small but influential south in the world want with this small but influential soutt_ in the world want with this small but influential south social media -latform? but influential south social media platform? he _ but influential south social media platform? he loved _ but influential south social media platform? he loved it. _ but influential south social media platform? he loved it. he- but influential south social media platform? he loved it. he is- platform? he loved it. he is prolific— platform? he loved it. he is prolific on it. he has 112 million followers _ prolific on it. he has 112 million followers. he loves the attention and the — followers. he loves the attention and the spats and the camaraderie.

it and the spats and the camaraderie. it said _ and the spats and the camaraderie. it said the _ and the spats and the camaraderie. it said the passion project. he said he bought— it said the passion project. he said he bought it for the love of humanity. you think civilisation is a digital— humanity. you think civilisation is a digital square in which to discuss the big _ a digital square in which to discuss the big issues and make the decisions and see what their opinion formers _ decisions and see what their opinion formers and — decisions and see what their opinion formers and the politicians and the well—being of formers and the politicians and the well— being of humanity. formers and the politicians and the well—being of humanity. you think civilisation — well—being of humanity. you think civilisation is a digital square in which _ civilisation is a digital square in which to— civilisation is a digital square in which to discuss the big issues and make _ which to discuss the big issues and make the _ which to discuss the big issues and make the decisions and see what their— make the decisions and see what their opinion formers and the politicians and the world leaders are saying. and that twitter is it. he wants — are saying. and that twitter is it. he wants to— are saying. and that twitter is it. he wants to make it verification badges— he wants to make it verification badges and saying that in addition to paying — badges and saying that in addition to paying £7 per month your tweets will be _ to paying £7 per month your tweets will be amplified more so more people — will be amplified more so more people will see them. that is not setting _ people will see them. that is not setting a — people will see them. that is not setting a very level playing field, which _ setting a very level playing field, which is — setting a very level playing field, which is exactly what twitter was supposed — which is exactly what twitter was supposed to be about. it�*s which is exactly what twitter was supposed to be about.— supposed to be about. it's a fascinating _ supposed to be about. it's a fascinating debate. - supposed to be about. it's a fascinating debate. i - supposed to be about. it's a fascinating debate. i hope l supposed to be about. it's a. fascinating debate. i hope we supposed to be about. it�*s a. fascinating debate. i hope we will return to it. thanks for staying with us. let's cross to pakistan — where the former pakistan prime minister imran khan, who's recovering in hospital, after being shot in the leg, is addressing the nation.

he has been talking to his doctors in hospital he is talking about the leg and foot injury that he received yesterday when somebody fired again at him. the man, the suspect, according to the tv station... if we take the after know where you can see the leg propped up there on the chair because of the damage to his fate. we will translate what he has to say and we will he from him. he remains to say that the government conspired with the americans to get him out of office and he is demanding new elections. the government says they won't happen before the spring. more on that later.

hello there. it's been a much quieter day today. many places dry, some sunshine for a while as well, but it will get cold quickly this evening in those clearer skies. these are the numbers as it gets dark and those temperatures will fall away. more across eastern areas. still got a few showers for a while around irish sea coast heading up towards the northern isles. cloudy is going to come into western areas and that will bring with it some rain. keep temperatures up here. but across much of scotland and the eastern side of england, easily two or three degrees. and again, they may well have a frost in some eastern parts of scotland. so a chilly start for eastern areas clouding over fairly quickly. we've got this rain in the west that will shuffle its way eastwards and southwards very slowly. the rain becoming lighter and more patchy should see some sunshine flowing into northern ireland, eventually scotland, much of it going away or staying quite cloudy, a bit damp, not hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade.

they in the illegal uk drugs trade. offered me lots of thi pay they offered me lots of things, to pay for the journey, to give they offered me lots of things, to pay for thejourney, to give me they offered me lots of things, to pay for the journey, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. thea;r job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me for _ job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me for five _ job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me for five times. - keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times. plans to build the northern powerhouse rail link are likely to be scaled back as the government tries to cut spending. northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris says there will be no stormont elections before christmas. and the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions out of london. sport now, and a round up, from the bbc sport centre. england now know they have to beat sri lanka tomorrow to make the knockout stages of the t20 world cup,

that's after australia beat afghanistan by four runs, but they failed to achieve the net run—rate swing required to further boost their chances of reaching the semi—finals. glenn maxwell was not out and top scored for australia with 5a as they made 168 for 8 in their innings. afghanistan showed fight and took australia all the way to the final over, but fell four runs short and end the tournament without a win. it shows how we feel we play as a group, and tonight was a good opportunity to have that perfect game and we should have sent finch out for the toss, but who knows what could happen. that's as simple as it can get. just the big moments,

probably missing them too many times and missed opportunities during games. that narrow australia victory means new zealand are the first team to reach the semi—finals. captain kane williamson top scored with 61, as they beat ireland by 35 runs. amnesty and human rights watch have hit out at fifa's request to all the teams at the world cup to "focus on the football". human rights watch say it was "nothing short of appalling" that fifa's letter pleaded with people to "not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists." the world cup has been surrounded by controversy; with qatar criticised for its stance on same—sex relationships, human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and questions over it's climate claims. in response, peaceful protests have been planned by some players. qatar's world cup organisers state, "everyone is welcome". despite that appeal from fifa, the liberal democrats foreign affairs spokesperson has called on england to make a "display of solidarity" with iranian women at their opening match of the world cup against iran. protests have swept across the country after the death of kurdish woman, mahsa amini, in police custody in september.

layla moran mp has written to manager gareth southgate and captain harry kane telling them such a move would be, "hugely meaningful in raising awareness about the iranian government's condemnable actions." "any step which we can take to demonstrate our solidarity with the women of iran, and show them that they are supported, is also crucial." she said, "i am very conscious of the opportunity presented by your opening world cup fixture against iran in a few weeks' time." northampton lock alex coles will make his england debut against argentina on sunday; as eddiejones's side begin their autumn nations series. owen farrell meanwhile will captain england — he's been paired with manu tuilagi in midfield. farrell has completed the return to play concussion protocol after suffering an injury in saracens' win over exeter two weeks ago.

also, northampton fly—half dan biggar is set to join french side toulon with immediate effect. the wales international had already announced he would be leaving saints at the end of the season. but today, biggar said he "never envisaged leaving saints midway through the season, but this opportunity came around very quickly," and he made the decision with his family in mind. the saints chief exec said he leaves with the club's "very best wishes". wales were comprehensively beaten by france, as they began their wheelchair rugby league world cup in sheffield. they were beaten by 158—6 by the defending champions, with the french scoring 16 first half tries. arnau vargas with this one. afterwards wales captain stuart williams said he was "a bit low but i'm so proud," you can follow scotland getting

their campaign under way with live pictures and this is just into the second half and as you can see scotland leading 38—24. this is their first appearance at the world cup for the usa but scotland have been at the tournament twice before. that is your sport for now. more now on our top story, the immigration minister robertjenrick was in dover meeting local residents many of whom are angry about the rising numbers making their way across the channel. it follows the home secretary's tour of an overcrowded migrant facility yesterday. but there wasn't an opportunity for people to meet the home secretary. the town;s mp, natalie elphicke, spoke about the ongoing "crisis of the small boat crossings"

the amount of crossings we have had has overwhelmed the services at dover and manston, but in addition to dealing with that, the situation is having an enormous impact on lives of residents across dover and thatis lives of residents across dover and that is what the immigration minister heard first hand when he spoke to residents and councillors and that is why we have do get a grip on the small boat crossings and stop the boats reaching our shores. does the home office have to get a grip on the processing of the migrants question what you talk about the crossings themselves, but is there a next stage? brute about the crossings themselves, but is there a next stage?— is there a next stage? we have seen in recent times _ is there a next stage? we have seen in recent times the _ is there a next stage? we have seen in recent times the facilities - is there a next stage? we have seen in recent times the facilities set - in recent times the facilities set “p in recent times the facilities set up have been overwhelmed even though there are bigger and newer facilities that got put in only earlier this year, but the bottom line is we can'tjust keep having bigger and bigger and more and more facilities, we have to tackle it at source and it's important we understand the impact on the community here in dover and across kent. it is the case that services are stretched and they are finding

it very, very difficult, residents are finding a very difficult situation and i want to make sure the immigration minister knew about the immigration minister knew about the impact on our community here in dover and deal. flan the impact on our community here in dover and deal.— dover and deal. can you give me an examle dover and deal. can you give me an example of— dover and deal. can you give me an example of the _ dover and deal. can you give me an example of the things _ dover and deal. can you give me an example of the things they - dover and deal. can you give me an example of the things they said - dover and deal. can you give me an i example of the things they said when they met him? the example of the things they said when they met him?— they met him? the immigration minister was — they met him? the immigration minister was able _ they met him? the immigration minister was able to _ they met him? the immigration minister was able to come - they met him? the immigration minister was able to come to i minister was able to come to aycliffe where there have been migrants who have entered the homes and gardens of residents in recent weeks and also over the summer, so they were able to tell him how frightened they were by this experience. they have concerns about how regular this seems to be and also about the pressures on the local services that they are. it's really important in tackling the situation at manston by the immigration minister heard how serious the situation is for the community in dover and deal, how stretch services and how concerned local residents are hula by the beaches. _, . ,,._ .,

beaches. -- r concerned. saying that she wanted — beaches. -- r concerned. saying that she wanted robert _ beaches. -- r concerned. saying that she wanted robert generate - beaches. -- r concerned. saying that she wanted robert generate to - beaches. -- r concerned. saying that she wanted robert generate to meet| she wanted robert generate to meet constituents. a gap in gp care between the richest and poorest parts of england has widened, according to research for bbc newsnight. people in less affluent areas on average develop chronic health conditions at a younger age and die earlier — yet they have fewer gps and a worse experience. newsnight�*s david grossman reports. blackpool is the poorest town in england. it has the lowest life expectancy in the country. and with that, multiple complex health needs. you might assume those challenges would mean more doctors and better care. but come to places like the revoe estate, and you'll hear the opposite. you're always encouraged — anything that you suspect may be cancer. so i found a lump my lower back. it was painful. i phoned up my gp to get an appointment and they suggested it might be better to go to the walk—in centre because i'd get seen quicker. they offered me an appointment, but it was in three weeks' time.

so they were great, but they did just pack me off with some painkillers. er... there was no access to a gp, there was no referral to anybody else. ijust sit there crying. i think, what's the point of trying to phone when no—one _ wants to help you? i rely on my volunteers... christina is a youth worker at the centre. she says local kids often come to her for medical advice. they come and tell us, like, "mum tried to make me a doctor's appointment for this, but we haven't been able to, so i don't know what it is, but it's worrying me. do you think it's this, this?" and they are quite worried about it, and that's kids... the uk's clearly gripped by a crisis in gp care right now, but research for newsnight suggests that that crisis is being felt even more acutely in areas like this that are already struggling with multiple deprivations. the figures suggest that places like blackpool have far fewer gps per head of population, and far lower levels of satisfaction with their care. not only are there fewer gps offering fewer appointments, but the care as measured by the sea qc, or care quality commission on average is of a lower standard. research suggests expense of patients correlates with less developed, as in the poorer the area is the lower they rate their care.

surgeries are harder to reach on the phone, and when they get an appointment, patients in poor areas rate the experience lower than those in more affluent areas. newsnight has commissioned research from the department of public health and primary care at cambridge university. this graph shows how the number of gps per 10,000 patients has newton drive health. centre, emily speaking. newton drive health centre in blackpool is rated as good by the care quality commission. knocking. come in! susan green is a gp and partner. she says criticism of gps — particularly the idea that they are being lazy or uncaring — is hard to listen to. it is so devastating to be told that you're the problem. and you have to just say to yourself, "i know the reality of what i have done today. i know the reality that if i do crumble and i can't do this any more, that's another 80 appointments

a week potentially lost." the pain of a struggling primary care sector isn't spread equally. places like blackpool have already suffered most. and what was really striking on our visit — no—one seemed to think that the stresses on the system were about to ease. david grossman, bbc news, blackpool. and for more on that story tune into newsnight, that's on bbc2 at 10.30 tonight the english national opera is among arts bodies in london which are losing their funding from arts council england. it's part of a programme to move money for cultural institutions out of the capital — new recipients will include libraries in barnsley, blackpool illuminations and a festival of thrift in redcar. with the details of a major shake up, here's our arts correspondent, david sillito. english national opera, opera, sung in english, based in london and more

than a third of its income comes from the arts council. it's now off the funding list. there will be a transitional grant out the restructure and move possibly to manchester but it's a heavy blow. i manchester but it's a heavy blow. i was slightly surprised the arts council would reduce funding to an organisation that has brought in young people and we give completely free tickets to under 21 is and the only opera house in the world to do that. and about 13% of the audience is people of colour, way ahead of other opera companies. the is people of colour, way ahead of other opera companies. the mayor of london says — other opera companies. the mayor of london says the _ other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital— other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital is _ other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital is losing - london says the capital is losing around £50 million in arts funding. shakespeare north a new theatre in prescott near saint helens is one of dozens of organisations about outside of london for receiving funding for the first time. we've invested so _ funding for the first time. we've invested so as _ funding for the first time. we've invested so as many _ funding for the first time. we've invested so as many as - funding for the first time. we've invested so as many as people i funding for the first time. we'vel invested so as many as people as possible — invested so as many as people as possible in— invested so as many as people as possible in england can enjoy the best of— possible in england can enjoy the best of creativity. and this means no matter— best of creativity. and this means no matter where you live and whatever— no matter where you live and whatever your background, you will

have culture close to your home. blackpool — have culture close to your home. blackpool illuminations will now receive funding and the shift to the north has been driven by the government. it north has been driven by the government.— north has been driven by the government. it comes down to fairness. government. it comes down to fairness- if— government. it comes down to fairness. if you _ government. it comes down to fairness. if you live _ government. it comes down to fairness. if you live in - government. it comes down to fairness. if you live in the - fairness. if you live in the north—east and north—west of yorkshire, why should you not be able to access culture and why should your children not be able to learn and get that creativity from a young age and be inspired to go into these types of industries. 50. young age and be inspired to go into these types of industries.— these types of industries. so, less for o era these types of industries. so, less for opera and _ these types of industries. so, less for opera and the _ these types of industries. so, less for opera and the high _ these types of industries. so, less for opera and the high arts - these types of industries. so, less for opera and the high arts are - these types of industries. so, less i for opera and the high arts are more for opera and the high arts are more for towns like barnsley which is getting support for its libraries. for more on this let's go to blackpool and speak to alan cavill, the director of communications and regeneration at blackpool council. you must be delighted. we are overjoyed- _ you must be delighted. we are overjoyed- lt's _ you must be delighted. we are overjoyed. it's going _ you must be delighted. we are overjoyed. it's going to - you must be delighted. we are overjoyed. it's going to make i you must be delighted. we are overjoyed. it's going to make a massive difference to blackpool illuminations and dragged us into the 21st century and enable us to do some things we could never do before. ., . ., , .,

some things we could never do before. ., . ., , . ., before. how much money are you going to net and before. how much money are you going to get and what — before. how much money are you going to get and what proportion _ before. how much money are you going to get and what proportion will - before. how much money are you going to get and what proportion will it - to get and what proportion will it represent of the money available for the illuminations? it’s represent of the money available for the illuminations?— the illuminations? it's about £225,000 — the illuminations? it's about £225,000 per— the illuminations? it's about £225,000 per year - the illuminations? it's about £225,000 per year which . the illuminations? it's about £225,000 per year which is | £225,000 per year which is fantastic, and it costs about 1.6 million to put the illuminations on each year but a lot of that is embedded into the infrastructure and the cost of putting the lights on, putting them up and taken them down, so very little goes on new features and on creative stuff. and we'd like to do that in the future. but i su ose to do that in the future. but i suppose somebody _ to do that in the future. but i suppose somebody watching might raise an eyebrow and say, well, what has this got to do with the arts? i think that's very much the point. i think that's very much the point. i think this is bringing the arts into what is a very well respected light show. at the moment we haven't been involving new artists or being collaborating with other light shows across the world, but we've experimented with this in the past with arts council funding and we have new artists involved in designing features for the

illuminations, and we borrow pieces from festivals such as durham and also the lumiere festival in lyon and we lend them features as well, so this is about an exchange of artistry, if you like, about using what is good about the illuminations around the rest of the world but bringing in stock that perhaps people would never get the chance to see in this country if we didn't bring it here.— see in this country if we didn't bring it here. and businesses in black - ool bring it here. and businesses in blackpool contribute _ bring it here. and businesses in blackpool contribute a - bring it here. and businesses in blackpool contribute a lot - bring it here. and businesses in blackpool contribute a lot to - bring it here. and businesses in l blackpool contribute a lot to how the town is promoted in the uk, and to a lesser extent, internationally, but that is kind of what is partly the commercial role in the north west. people might also be surprised that there isn't more of that when it comes to the illuminations. because from what you are saying, it sounds like pretty much this is something that the council does and given as we were hearing in the last report that blackpool's is england's poorest town there might be people in blackpool who wonder if it is a

good use of the limited part of public money. it’s good use of the limited part of public money-— good use of the limited part of public money. it's a question i've heard before, _ public money. it's a question i've heard before, and _ public money. it's a question i've heard before, and what - public money. it's a question i've heard before, and what we - public money. it's a question i've| heard before, and what we would public money. it's a question i've - heard before, and what we would say is that the council set off doing this in in 1922 or something, and the reason we did it is to extend the reason we did it is to extend the season and why do we extend the season? notjust for the benefit of taurus but the benefit of businesses and people who work here —— of tourists. if we did not do this, the season would be two or three months shorter and those businesses would not be viable and not be able to employ people, so it's all about the local economy and employing people as much as is is about artistry and as much as is is about artistry and a light show. i5 as much as is is about artistry and a light show-— a light show. is a great way to celebrate _ a light show. is a great way to celebrate the _ a light show. is a great way to celebrate the centenary - a light show. is a great way to celebrate the centenary of- a light show. is a great way to celebrate the centenary of the council's involvement and i didn't realise until i read the visit blackpool website that it was 1879, the first illuminations and its remarkable achievement and congratulations on the money. thank you very much. good to speak to you. the illuminations are up right now if you want to go along. the first

one in 1879, quite a tradition. albanian gangs get some to work on the illegal drug trade. keeping the lights on, notjust in blackpool, which will see customers offer discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less energy at peak times and have a smart metre. plans to build the northern powerhouse railing are going to be scaled back as the government tries to cut public expenditure to help balance the books. ukraine's president zelensky has accused the kremlin of �*energy terrorism' to compensate for the failure of russian troops to gain significant ground on the frontline. the ukranian leader said that 4.5 million people were without power — as winter sets in. in recent weeks, russia has carried out large—scale missile and drone attacks on ukrainian powerfacilities. so what is life like for

those without power? our correspondent catherine byurahanga is in kiev. it's definitely getting more precarious for pedestrians here in kyiv. we are in the centre of town, and as you can see, it's almost pitch black and much of the light is coming there have been reports of people falling and hurting themselves as they have tried to move around in the dark, and it's interesting being out on the streets and seeing people trying to do the things they would have done if the lights were on, so you have couples sat on benches talking, people walking their dogs and families out with their children, but things are likely to get worse and it's likely to get colder, making life harder for people in ukraine.

the government announced the king would not move to the summit after meeting with liz truss. her replacement rishi sunak in the last hour has delivered a speech at the reception. remember, he himself was not due to go at all but changed his mind and has decided he will be off to egypt this weekend. b5 mind and has decided he will be off to egypt this weekend.— to egypt this weekend. as we all know, to egypt this weekend. as we all know. there _ to egypt this weekend. as we all know, there is _ to egypt this weekend. as we all know, there is much _ to egypt this weekend. as we all know, there is much further - to egypt this weekend. as we all know, there is much further to l to egypt this weekend. as we all l know, there is much further to go. but as recent events have shown, delivering on the promise of glasgow is more important than ever. more important because, as we have seen so starkly with the war in ukraine, it is vital to invest in secure, renewable sources of energy and sustainable food production and more

important because every moment we allow climate change to ravage our planet we will see more human suffering, like the devastating floods in pakistan. and more important, because if we do not act today, we will risk leaving an ever more desperate inheritance for our children tomorrow. as her late majesty the queen said in her address to cop26, it is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit, written in history books yet to be printed, will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity. and that you answered the call of those future generations. i hearthat the call of those future generations. i hear that call repeatedly from my own young daughters as well, and i'm sure that you hear that call the same. so let me finish by saying this. the uk's

cop presidency might be coming to an end but our logo —— global leadership will continue and together we will write that chapter in history and bequeath our children and grandchildren a legacy to be proud of. thank you. applause rishi sunak are the reception hosted by the king for those attending the climate conference. prince william has announced the finalists for his global environment awards, the �*earthshot prize'. the aim is to find new and creative ideas that will help protect our planet for the future. five winners will each receive one—million—pounds to make their project a reality. our climate editor, justin rowlatt, has been to revisit two of last year's winners. prince william launched his earthshot prize with a glamorous ceremony in london's alexandra palace last year. in the next ten years, we are going to act. we are going to find the solutions

to repair our planet. there was a galaxy of stars in attendance. david attenborough was one of the judges. we don't have eternity. we need to do this now. the aim — to inspire a new generation of innovators. and you can see the results in the fronds of coral here in the bahamas. earthshot winner coral vita has developed systems for growing heat resistant corals to help restore the world's dying coral reefs. the goal would be to have coral vitas around the world, to go global with coral veta, because we've lost 50% of the world's reefs within the last decade. so this is a global issue, and reef restoration isn't something that's just exclusive to the bahamas. another winner aims to try and clear the polluted air in india. takachar won for the burner they created, which converts leftover straw

and other agricultural waste into fuel and fertiliser. the earthshot prize has really catapulted us from where we were and the resources that we had, and has given us access to so many networks and resources that can really enable us to scale up work, essentially, and increase the pace of our work. earthshot says it aims to build a library of solutions over the decade. the idea is others will be able to draw on the expertise winning project establish, to help us all tackle the planet's environmental problems. justin rowlatt, bbc news. 100 years ago today, archaeologists made one of the world's greatest discoveries — tutankhamun's 3,000—year—old tomb.

sadly for some of those involved, things did not end happily. robert hall explores why that breakthrough a century ago caused such a sensation. 33 centuries had passed . since human feet last trod the floor on which we stood. legend says it was spotted by a young egyptian — the buried staircase leading to what archaeologists still call the greatest find ever made. howard carter had spent over a decade looking for it. from now on, each chapter would be more incredible than the last. in a tiny tomb, we have everything from the royal court crammed in. we've got gold, jewellery, flowers, lunch boxes, underwear, clothes, sandals. we get a sense of the variety of material that survived from ancient egypt — some of it wonderfully beautiful, some of it really touchingly simple, as well. news of the find was rushed here, to highclere castle — famous for its downton abbey connection nowadays, but back then, home to someone else fascinated by the mysterious young pharaoh.

the story of tutankhamun is always linked with one name — that of howard carter, the man who broke through that wall 100 years ago. but carter wouldn't have been there at all without the passion and, perhaps more importantly, the finance of another egyptologist — this man, the 5th earl of carnarvon. he was somebody who never gave up. he kept on looking for the tomb of the lost pharaoh tutankhamun. and i guess... the story sparked what became known as tutmania. from a few curious visitors, to the millions who viewed the wonders of the tomb at travelling exhibitions. i am sorry, there will be no more admission for the exhibition tonight. it is the last day, so we're going to put him to sleep now for another 3,000 years. and hanging in the air, the legend of a pharaoh's curse on those who dared to enter the tomb. the newspapers named five men as its victims — among them, lord carnarvon himself. like tutankhamun's interlocking coffins, there are many layers to this story. howard carter's successors are still finding new pieces of the jigsaw, still solving the mysteries which remain hidden in the valley of the kings.

and if you would love more of the flavour of those remarkable events in 1922, head over to bbc sounds where you will find a two-part drum notation. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. temperatures as low as -3 and it temperatures as low as —3 and it could_ temperatures as low as -3 and it could be called for eastern parts of the uk but not so much in the west because all of the cloudy streaming in. �* ,, ~ because all of the cloudy streaming in. �* ,, . ,, . r , in. you can see how it is wrapping around in. you can see how it 5 wrapping around this _ m. you can see how n is wrapping around this me — in. you can see how n is wrapping around this me area _ in. you can see how n is wrapping around this me area of _ in. you can see how n is wrapping around this me area of low - in. you can see how it 5 wrapping - around nus me area of low pressure around this big area of low pressure in the atlantic. it's not reaching us yet, but pushing ahead all of the cloud beginning to arrive across western parts of the uk. after the cold start in the east, this is where we have the best of the sunshine in those fairly gentle breezes. temperatures will fall away quickly and these are the numbers we have got as against dark this evening and those temperatures will fall away out towards the east. you can see one or two showers coming into the irish sea coastal areas and

one or two heading to shetland overnight. ahead of it with clear skies for longer and the wind later we could see another frost in scotland and easily getting down to two or three degrees widely for the eastern side of the uk. we will see the cloud pushing quickly in the morning and rein to start the day in western areas and it will tend to become lighter as it pushes through the day allowing some sunshine to come into much of scotland and across northern ireland and many parts of england and wales will stay cloudy but not much rain around and amateurs peaking at 13. heading into bonfire night we have potential for rain in south-east and showers in the north-west but it will turn dry and there might well be some clear skies around as well. we have showers coming in around the area of low pressure is coming closer to the uk and this weather front is

bringing the surroundings into the night and may be for a while across south-eastern areas into sunday and rein and quickly we will see and so a scattering of showers and those temperatures again between 12 or 14 degrees. a look into the early part of next week and it will be windy, unsettled and it looks like it will be mild on tuesday with highs of 15 or16 be mild on tuesday with highs of 15 or 16 degrees. this is bbc news, i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 3pm. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants — to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade. they offered me lots of things, to pay for thejourney, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me four, five times.

keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times. plans to build the northern powerhouse rail link are likely to be scaled back as the government tries to cut spending. northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris says there will be no stormont elections before christmas. twitter begins cutting jobs around the world following the firm's takeover by elon musk. a memo has gone out to staff detailing how they'll be sacked. the rumours that we had heard, in the days prior to this e—mail going out, about reduction in headcount, were, sort of, painting very large figures. and, the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions out of london.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. in a week that's been dominated by news about the immigration system the bbc has heard evidence that albanian drug gangs are using migrant camps in northern france as a recruitment ground — offering to pay the passage of people who looking for better economic prospects and are prepared to work in the uk's illegal drugs trade. albanians account for at least one third of the 38,000 people who've crossed the channel to england this year, according to the latest government figures. our correspondent lucy williamson reports. for each boat, each migrant, there can be many smugglers. albanian fixers, uk guarantors, kurdish criminal gangs. one man who paid for a place on a kurdish boat this summer says

he was approached by recruiters for the uk drugs trade in a dunkirk migrant camp. translation: they offered me lots of things - - to pay for thejourney, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me four or five times. this is where the albanian migrant trail begins. small towns like laknas marked by absence — the shuttered houses and empty cafes — leftovers of an exodus that's spiked this year. as the price of crossing to the uk has dropped, the suburbs around tirana are being drained of people. locals in this neighbourhood say 70% of the community has already left, and many of those living here now are thinking ofjoining them. adverts on albanian social media promise easy passage for about £3,000, with middlemen on hand to arrange transport from brussels, paris or dunkirk. we contacted some of them,

posing as an albanian client. within half an hour, we had two offers for crossings, different options for payment, and advice on claiming asylum in the uk. this system is one reason uk police say the networks are hard to break. whereas in drugs, firearms, you would see a hierarchical structure with a kingpin at the top, we don't see that with organised immigration crime. we see close associations, loose networks across that migration route. french officials say that albanians are acting as middlemen for the iraqi kurdish gangs that still control most boat crossings from france. this woman's son crossed from dunkirk last month without the help of fixers, or even the money to pay the smugglers. a relative in england acted as guarantor, she said,

and got her son across. his younger brother — just 14 years old — is already planning his own trip. each successful crossing, an invisible thread that tugs at the minds of albanians back home. lucy williamson, bbc news, dunkirk. we can hear more from the bbc�*s home editor, mark easton. i mean, the numbers are extraordinary. two years ago, we had 50 albanians crossing in small boats. this year, already, 12,000 of which 10,000 are single men. that equates to about 1 to 2% of all the single men in albania. just as lucy was finding there's almost abandoned villages. they're coming here. i think there are there are three groups of people who are on those boats. there are the economic migrants, because albania is a very poor country, incomes ten times

in the uk, ten times, nine, ten times greater than albania. you can see why that would be a draw. the criminals, the traffickers, exactly as lucy was finding out. but it's also worth reminding ourselves that within that group there are also victims of trafficking, victims of exploitation, and victims of modern day slavery. if i tell you that in the three months, july, august, september this year, the modern day slavery referral system saw 934 just in those three months, albanian adults identified as potential victims and 204 albanian children under 18 year olds also identified just in those 90 odd days. so you can see some of them, of course, willjust be trying it on using that as a way of staying in the country. but it's worth knowing that on the most recent figures, somewhere between 80 and 90% of those who are referred to that referral mechanism, their cases are upheld. discounts on energy bills will be offered to households that use less power during peak times — under plans from the national grid to avoid blackouts. the scheme is going to be tested

in england, scotland and wales on 12 days between now and march — though only properties with a smart metre will be able to take part. national grid estimates it could save eligible households up to £100. our business correspondent emma simpson reports. it's the time of day when many of us get home, put on the lights, and all the appliances as well. but millions of us could now earn money off our bills by using less electricity when demand is at its peak. julie, in saffron walden, is up for it. so what i've done is i've ditched the kettle and i bought this water dispenser. the reason i've done that is because i was finding that i was boiling the same piece of water time and time again. i hear you. she's already taken part in a small trial this year and has signed up for the national grid's new scheme. if you've got enough notice, which normally may be the day before, you can plan around it, you can just sort of say we are going to have dinner at this time. i think it's a really good thing for everybody to try and do if they are able to.

i think it's something that i've found that i've actually enjoyed doing. it's part of our lives. and you've earned some money. i've earned a bit of money out of it, yeah. so what's the deal with the national grid's demand flexibility scheme? there are 12 one—hour tests planned for this winter. they'll take place between 4pm and 7pm, peak time for energy use. national grid says a typical household could save £100 off their bills, but it all depends on how much energy you use and your energy company. you need a smart metre to take part. most energy suppliers are in the process of signing up. to really reduce your electricity use its all about the big appliances like the washing machine, the tumble dryer and dishwasher, using them late in the evening or even overnight, but is the financial incentive going to be big enough to get households and businesses to take part? here at national grid they have to balance supply

and demand by the minute. they want to be able to save two gigawatts of electricity during peak hours if needed — the equivalent of powering a million homes. we are running these things as trials to make sure that it works. we hope not to have to use them this winter in anger, but it's just really being ready for every contingency. it's something they've never tried on this scale before. they've got mothballed coal plants on standby as well, all to help this control room keep the lights on this winter in these challenging times. emma simpson, bbc news, reading. let's get some reaction to this plan and talk to the director of policy at national energy action, peter smith. will it work. the million dollar question. peter, you are not involved with the energy companies, you campaign in the half of

consumers in many ways. the basic question is will it work? to offer incentives to try and get people to change behaviour that has been ingrained by years of use. it is a welcome initiative, _ ingrained by years of use. it is a welcome initiative, in _ ingrained by years of use. it is a welcome initiative, in some - ingrained by years of use. it is a l welcome initiative, in some ways, ingrained by years of use. it is a - welcome initiative, in some ways, we have used in the past tariffs for example economy seven as an effective way of reducing peak demands. and, those efforts have been successful in trials that we have undertaken. in in those trials they have worked. that was in a heavy leak tested environment. where we screened vulnerability for people who couldn't reduce their consumption below a specific point. this is predicated on having a smart metre, we know are only 50% of smart metres have households. you have to be with an energy supplier that is

opted into the scheme. at the moment there is a limited appetite from the suppliers to get involved. we hope it will work, i guess another important consideration is how much flexibility do you have in terms of your working pattern and when and where you are in your home. but, also, some people and particularly those that we represent are already incredibly energy frugal and don't have a huge amount of wastage in their homes and frankly they have cut back on all of the ways in which they use energy in the home. often this is a critical point in the health and well—being. the this is a critical point in the health and well-being. the other ruestion health and well-being. the other question is _ health and well-being. the other question is that _ health and well-being. the other question is that do _ health and well-being. the other question is that do you _ health and well-being. the other question is that do you think - health and well-being. the other question is that do you think this| question is that do you think this would prove to be a sufficient incentive. you're doing your bit, you will get maybe £100 back. i don't even know if that is week, month, all year. isuspect don't even know if that is week, month, all year. i suspect it is £100 of your annual bill.- month, all year. i suspect it is £100 of your annual bill. yes. that is the average _

£100 of your annual bill. yes. that is the average saving _ £100 of your annual bill. yes. that is the average saving over - £100 of your annual bill. yes. that is the average saving over this - is the average saving over this period when the testing it. hundred pounds for the people we represent is a huge amount of money, it is two months of food shopping, so it is hugely welcome. if people can access the full value of that. and as i mentioned, do it safely in their homes. ~ ., ., mentioned, do it safely in their homes. . ., ., , mentioned, do it safely in their homes. ~ ., ., , , ., mentioned, do it safely in their homes. ., , , ., ., homes. what about this question of the smart metres, _ homes. what about this question of the smart metres, because, - homes. what about this question of the smart metres, because, i- the smart metres, because, i suspect, i wouldn't want to accuse people watching of being cynical, i suspect a few people might think it is sceptical. one of the reasons is because they think government and the organisations have been pushing us for, as he said, ten years to be getting energy smart metres, many of those people are resistant and have refused to have them. this could be a cunning way to get people to sign up. it a cunning way to get people to sign u -. a cunning way to get people to sign u . _ , . ., up. it might be. we would highlight there are huge _ up. it might be. we would highlight there are huge benefits _ up. it might be. we would highlight there are huge benefits with - up. it might be. we would highlight there are huge benefits with the - there are huge benefits with the smart metre roll—out. an end to

estimated bills, is the new one. many of the reasons people struggle so much and turn to us as a charity is because they are hit with an unexpected bill and that is based on people receiving estimated bills. in addition, the support that the government has recently made available is much easier to access if you have access to a smart metre. we are quite positive about smart metres and this is another reason why people might want to consider getting one. why people might want to consider getting one-— major infrastructure projects are under review, as the government tries to reduce spending. the possible cuts, which have been revealed to the bbc, include a high speed rail line promised for the north of england. a treasury spokesperson has insisted that infrastructure projects remain "a priority". our business editor simonjack has more. northern powerhouse rail is going to be an all—singing, all—dancing network in the north of england to connect places as far from hull to liverpool, but starting in manchester, leeds and yorkshire.

there was a big splash about that, then, borisjohnson last year, when grant shapps was the transport minister, said they were not only downgrading that but also cancelling the eastern leg of hs2. when liz truss came into power, she said that it was all back on, the full fat, all—singing, all—dancing northern powerhouse rail. with a stop at bradford which is one of their worst connected cities in the north. i have learnt yesterday that has been downgraded and we are back to the pre—truss version. i asked grant shapps saying why are you downgrading it when you promised that people's journey time would be better? this is what he said. the line itself can deliver a 33 minutes journey from manchester to leeds, quadruple, nearly, the capacity of that line and doing so without having to wait an extra 20 years beyond the delivery of what the upgrade can do.

we will be able to provide all of that upgrade, there wasn't much point of going in blasting new tunnels through the pennines. last night i was told by sources that every major capital spending project was under review including things like the dartford tunnel, the tunnel by stonehenge. this morning, however, downing street has said on sizewell c, the new reactor in suffolk, that is no longer under review, they are hoping to proceed with that. i hope this illustrates that they are looking behind every question in the sofa to find some money. we will find out more about their plans on the 17th of november. for more on this, here with me now is marcusjohns from ippr north. thanks for being with us. i suppose that the question that is prompted

by what grant shapps had to say is, people can be promised a 33 minutes to journeys between leeds and manchester and vice versa, but if their current services went with so many cancellations and predictability, why would anyone believe that? i predictability, why would anyone believe that?— believe that? i think it is a good ruestion. believe that? i think it is a good question. the _ believe that? i think it is a good question. the north _ believe that? i think it is a good question. the north of- believe that? i think it is a good question. the north of england | believe that? i think it is a good - question. the north of england seems to be stuck in a loop of broken promises, underinvestment and chaos under our railways, which means people face delays, last—minute cancellations, and a really unreliable service. day in, day out. a lot of that comes down to the fact that we have an ailing infrastructure in the north of england, much of our railways are around 200 years old, victorian infrastructure, and we have had decades of underinvestment. if you look at the last decade alone, in the north of england, we have received the same per person

spending in the capital we would have had £80 million more spent on our infrastructure. projects like northern powerhouse rail would fit inside of that. this is a choice not to invest in the north's infra structure and it has real consequences on people's lives and the future. ., ., , ., the future. even without any of these developments _ the future. even without any of these developments at - the future. even without any of these developments at the - the future. even without any of - these developments at the moment, these developments at the moment, the situation that you are living in at the moment, how big a problem is it proving to be? we have had avante renew its franchise after six months sometimes up to train an hour of cancellations with other connections across the region not being there. we have had a problems with the trans— pennine express which a lot of people who use it don't think as much of an express service, and, i just wondered what impact all of thatis just wondered what impact all of that is having economically on

people who need to get to work, to study and all the rest of it. the north as a _ study and all the rest of it. the north as a region _ study and all the rest of it. the north as a region is _ study and all the rest of it. tue: north as a region is made up study and all the rest of it. tt9 north as a region is made up of different cities, different towns that are quite close together in an international context. the labour markets extend across those regions so people can live in manchester and work in leeds, for it vice versa and across many of that is the case. many of those people cannot reliably get into work, and they haven't been able to do so for a very long period of time. we depended on them. we depend upon the railway network for freight movements and really those services are very important for delivering goods, services and people around the north. it does have an economic impact, i would go so far as to say that i think many of these problems are a handbrake on our economic productivity, on our ability to deliver economic stability. the only thing that will change that is long—term investment in projects like northern powerhouse rail which is projected by transport

for the north to add £14.5 billion and nearly 70,000 jobs. this is a big transformational projects that can unlock the north's economic potential and we are really being held back by the government's failure to commit to this, and to actually drive through building it. this is a cycle of broken promises which is not serving the north. i’m which is not serving the north. i'm interested you talk about this cycle of broken promises. a spokesperson for the introduction of the commission was on the radio we haven't had consistency for at least the half century just we haven't had consistency for at least the half centuryjust gone. it doesn't suggest things are getting better. what is the political push for government if it makes these decisions on things like rail and the north of england? i decisions on things like rail and the north of england?- decisions on things like rail and the north of england? i think many ublic the north of england? i think many public promises — the north of england? i think many public promises have _ the north of england? i think many public promises have been - the north of england? i think many public promises have been made i the north of england? i think many i public promises have been made and i have lost count of the amount of times things like this have been

offered or presented as new. i think it really risks undermining people's trust that government can deliver, that government can actually change things. our economy really depends on a functioning transport network and i think people are angry and betrayed. it feels like that is the only thing that has been levelled up at this point. that anger and sense of betrayal that things are not being delivered. people can make promises, put it in manifestos and then just put a line through it a few years down the line. i think there is a big risk, we really need to see the north get what it deserves, a 21st—century transport network and northern powerhouse rail delivered in full as part of that. thank you for talking us through those issues. it's been confirmed that there won't be a stormont assembly election this year. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris had said another election would be called, after the deadline to restore power—sharing passed last week. currently a vote is still required

within the next three months . he said he had consulted widely with politicians and said they wouldn't be an election despite the fact the law require one. i'm joined now by expert on northern irish politics kevin meagher, who also used to be special adviser to shaun woodward, the former labour northern ireland secretary. thank you for being with us. can i start with this question of the decision to suspend the assembly. that was presumably out of the secretary of state's hands because of what the law says? it secretary of state's hands because of what the law says?— of what the law says? it is. chris heaton-harris _ of what the law says? it is. chris heaton-harris has _ of what the law says? it is. chris heaton-harris has been - of what the law says? it is. chris heaton-harris has been on - of what the law says? it is. chris heaton-harris has been on the i of what the law says? it is. chris l heaton-harris has been on the job heaton—harris has been on thejob for a few weeks and in a sense he has been given and an enviable entry. what has happened is we had elections to the northern ireland assembly back in may, that was significant, sinn fein emerged as the party with the biggest share of the party with the biggest share of

the vote and the highest number of seats, but the assembly has never reconstituted from an election, so the executive that was formed from the executive that was formed from the assembly has not been met. it has been on autopilot for six months and there is a six month cooling off period when an executive isn't formed. after that it triggers a fresh set of elections which is where we are at the moment. on the 28th of october, chris heaton—harris pointed out, inherited a legal obligation to call us fresh set of elections. i think people in northern ireland expected the day after to come forward with a plan to announce fresh elections. lute after to come forward with a plan to announce fresh elections.— announce fresh elections. we have been here before, _ announce fresh elections. we have been here before, haven't- announce fresh elections. we have been here before, haven't we? - announce fresh elections. we have been here before, haven't we? wej been here before, haven't we? we have. been here before, haven't we? 9 have. what's happened is everybody in northern ireland has been united in northern ireland has been united in the last week in slight confusion that he hasn't come and announced a fresh set of elections. what he is

saying is, i'm going to make an announcement to parliament next week to set up next steps. he is not saying in that statement today that he is going to call a fresher election tomorrow he's going to set “p election tomorrow he's going to set up fresh steps. i think that is significant. there is a long period before an election might be called, what we may see, for example is, if the negotiations on the northern ireland protocol might uphold the formation of an executive because the uk will not cooperate until the protocol issue is resolved to their satisfaction. there may be some movement on that, if there is, the devolved institutions may link up fairly quickly. just devolved institutions may link up fairly quickly-— fairly quickly. just on that question. _ fairly quickly. just on that question, we _ fairly quickly. just on that question, we will- fairly quickly. just on that question, we will have i fairly quickly. just on that question, we will have a i fairly quickly. just on that i question, we will have a change fairly quickly. just on that - question, we will have a change of prime minister in dublin next month, do you get any sense there is no

reason that should make any difference, is there any prospect, do you get any sense that a change of prime minister in london in the last month or so and attitudes at the european commission and among the european commission and among the eu heads of state might have shifted sufficiently to make a deal possible on this. it might make it unnecessary to call an election because the dup might go back into power sharing?— power sharing? quite. i think they view probably _ power sharing? quite. i think they view probably in _ power sharing? quite. i think they view probably in the _ power sharing? quite. i think they view probably in the european i view probably in the european commission and certainly in dublin is that rishi sunak represents a far more pragmatic option in terms as being somebody that they can deal with. i think they thought that borisjohnson and liz with. i think they thought that boris johnson and liz truss with. i think they thought that borisjohnson and liz truss were probably to influence by right—wing groups within the conservative party and i think they probably think with rishi sunak you seems to have been quite dovish with some of these

issues when he was chancellor, he is very aware of retaliatory measures by the european union if the protocol bill that is in parliament at the moment resile from key aspects of the northern ireland land protocol unilaterally. if that goes through we are talking trade war with the european union. i think rishi sunak will avoid that. i think there will be a sense both in dublin that rishi sunak might be someone they can deal with and at the moment is approaching when they can get something across the line on the protocol. if that happens, of course, the executive stands a good chance of being reconstituted, back in business. there are three interrelated problems, the bill, the protocol bill and the protocol itself and the devolution institution of northern ireland as well. the future of all of them is interconnected.—

well. the future of all of them is interconnected. :, ,, , :, , : interconnected. thank you very much for that. the social media company twitter has told its 7,500 staff — via email — that majorjob cuts are coming, following the firm's takeover by the billionaire elon musk. staff have been told they will know by 4pm today whether they still have a job. some staff have already posted on twitter that they have been fired and locked out of their work email accounts. i've spoken before with simon balmain, who works for twitter and believes he's been fired by the company. the rumour is that we had heard in the days prior to this e—mail going out about reduction in headcount were, sort of, painting very large figures as a percentage of the company. so it's really a coin flip for everyone at this point. zoe was

'ust for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying — for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying look. — for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying look, it's _ for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying look, it's not _ for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying look, it's not an - for everyone at this point. zoe was just saying look, it's not an easy i just saying look, it's not an easy time to be on social media. for years we thought of it as a growth industry, the place particularly a lot of young, talented programmers like yourself wanted to get into. suddenly, all of the companies are retrenching. suddenly, all of the companies are retrenching— retrenching. that's true. i think this is why _ retrenching. that's true. i think this is why the _ retrenching. that's true. i think this is why the new _ retrenching. that's true. i think i this is why the new acquisition... the new acquirers felt that they spent some time in court trying to argue that they didn't want to do this any more. before, ultimately doing it at the original price. since then, of course, all public companies in this area their share value has dropped quite a lot. iiequr;r value has dropped quite a lot. happy accident for — value has dropped quite a lot. happy accident for elon _ value has dropped quite a lot. happy accident for elon musk _ value has dropped quite a lot. happy accident for elon musk point - value has dropped quite a lot. happy accident for elon musk point of i accident for elon musk point of using the share prices fall. presumably it has worked out quite well for him... i presumably it has worked out quite well for him. . ._

presumably it has worked out quite well for him... i don't know because he had to acquire _ well for him... i don't know because he had to acquire the _ well for him... i don't know because he had to acquire the company i well for him... i don't know because he had to acquire the company at i well for him... i don't know because| he had to acquire the company at the value of his original offer. fair oint. value of his original offer. fair point- lets — value of his original offer. fair point. letsjust _ value of his original offer. fair point. letsjust ask _ value of his original offer. fair point. lets just ask you another question, bear in mind we are live and the time of day in the uk. what do you think of elon musk?- and the time of day in the uk. what do you think of elon musk? that's an interestin: do you think of elon musk? that's an interesting question. _ do you think of elon musk? that's an interesting question. i _ do you think of elon musk? that's an interesting question. i personally i interesting question. i personally try not tojudge interesting question. i personally try not to judge people that i don't know, or haven't had a personal interaction with. so i am generally quite an open—minded person, i don't really know too much about him, if there had been some communication from him or his team in the past week then i might have something to go off. but i really don't. he has obviously worked in a lot of interesting companies doing really successful things with his companies. i don't know if that sort of experience in physical products

like cars and spaceships necessarily translates to social media. let's speak now with mike clancy, general secretary at prospect trade union. what's the situation in terms of these e—mails. the suggestion that people have is that you may or may not be fired, keep an eye out, you'll know before for pm. this looks like _ you'll know before for pm. this looks like a _ you'll know before for pm. this looks like a further— you'll know before for pm. ti 3 looks like a further example of cowboy capitalism. it is exposing again the laws of this country being inadequate. it looks like there is a failure to consult with the workforce collectively and individually. and, it seems like twitter are employing an old tactic from the industrial past of locking out the workforce. they are just doing it digitally and under the

cover of protecting their trading environment. we have received many requests for advice and consent from members directly employed there, and we will be dealing with this on their behalf. as i say, this exposes, again, the fact that the law is too weak in this country and we will be writing to the secretary of state accordingly. this is something that grant shapps, also, was facing when he was transport secretary in relation to p&o. i’m secretary in relation to p&o. i'm lad ou secretary in relation to p80. i'm glad you mentioned p&0. they got glad you mentioned p&o. they got away with it, arguably, certainly the position of former employees in terms of dismissing people and saying, sorry, that the environment in which we live. the government made all sorts of legislative threats but they haven't so far delivered anything. the other .1 might make about twitter is it is an international company, which presumably makes national legislation even less likely to make an impact. lute

legislation even less likely to make an imact. ~ :, legislation even less likely to make an imact. 9 :, :, an impact. we would say that multi nationals must _ an impact. we would say that multi nationals must not _ an impact. we would say that multi nationals must not be _ an impact. we would say that multi nationals must not be above - an impact. we would say that multi nationals must not be above the i nationals must not be above the jurisdiction of individual states. of course, we have more that needs to be complied with by those that trade together. the problem is that the more the respective collective redundancy and consultation that we emphasise to viewers. the company must consult with a workforce on these matters whether it recognises a union or not. the problem is if they don't, the only remedy is a financial penalty after the event. unions have been arguing for some time that we must be in a position to take injunctive action against these companies, stop them in their tracks when they fail to comply with the law of this nation. that's what we need, we need a review of the law here and an improvement of it. in fact, what i would say is i'm concerned it will get worse. because the government is pursuing the eu through parliament now. applying a sunset clause to a whole range of laws derived from the eu one of which is related to elective redundancies at the british workforce might be in a worse

position if we don't defeat that the initiative by the end of next year. what we have to focus on now is the people who are potentially losing their livelihoods at for pm. they are going to be informed by e—mail, who have had their computers wiped in this lock—out by twitter and we must urge the secretary of state to intervene. and ensure that it is a second p&o —type embarrassment to the government in relation to employment laws. in truth there's not much you can do for people in your industry? i in truth there's not much you can do for people in your industry?- for people in your industry? i think --eole for people in your industry? i think people are — for people in your industry? i think people are waking _ for people in your industry? i think people are waking up _ for people in your industry? i think people are waking up to _ for people in your industry? i think people are waking up to the i for people in your industry? i think people are waking up to the fight i people are waking up to the fight with a solitary lesson is, even if it is a is leading edge tech and has planning, masterand it is a is leading edge tech and has planning, master and servant relationships underpinning the service are under way and we are seeing this grow and we will see far more clamourfor seeing this grow and we will see far more clamour for organising of these workforce and cutting beyond the positive messages the companies

give. and they are treated as industrial commodity like other workers in this country and we can ensure that law is improved and not taken backwards and ensure legal rights are followed and we can in courage the secretary of state to intervene. thank you very much for talking to us from bergkamp in hertfordshire. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there. it's been a much quieter day today. many places dry, some sunshine for a while as well, but it will get cold quickly this evening in those clearer skies. these are the numbers as it gets dark and those temperatures will fall away. more across eastern areas. still got a few showers for a while around irish sea coast heading up towards the northern isles. cloudy is going to come into western areas and that will bring with it some rain. keep temperatures up here. but across much of scotland and the eastern side of england, easily two or three degrees.

and again, they may well have a frost in some eastern parts of scotland. so a chilly start for eastern areas clouding over fairly quickly. we've got this rain in the west that will shuffle its way eastwards and southwards very slowly. the rain becoming lighter and more patchy should see some sunshine flowing into northern ireland, eventually scotland, much of it going away or staying quite cloudy, a bit damp, not much rain around. and those temperatures again around 12 to 14 degrees heading into bonfire night. then we may well still have some rain heading towards the southeast. one or two showers in the far northwest, otherwise generally dry. thanks for staying with us. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade. they offered me lots of things, to pay for thejourney, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me four or five times. keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times .

plans to build the northern powerhouse rail link are likely to be scaled back as the government tries to cut spending. northern ireland secretary chris heaton harris says there will be no stormont elections before christmas twitter begins cutting jobs around the world following the firm's takeover by elon musk. a memo has gone out to staff detailing how they'll be sacked nothing has changed with content moderation we did everything to do this and that is the explanation for why is everything is going wrong. the rumours that we had heard, in the days prior to this e—mail going out, about reduction in headcount, were, sort of, painting very large figures. and the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions

out of london breaking news in the last few seconds and good news if you're hoping to travel by rail, and though strikes involving the rmt for saturday have been suspended. and these were strikes introduce from saturday and a series of strikes and it seems they have suspended them, the rmt and it's not clear why. it seems that the governor wants to see a end of the dispute. as i say, it is a series of planned strikes from saturday suggesting that there are plans to have strikes beginning on saturday but i'm not clear because it's a very short announcement from the rmt union has been provided to the rmt union has been provided to the press association and we will get more in the next few minutes and we will bring you those extra details as soon as we get them which

gives me a chance to breathe by saying that sarah is at the bbc sport centre and will fill the next few minutes beautifully while we try to find out what is going on with the rail industry. it is all in the timing and thank you for being there. england now know that if they beat sri lanka tomorrow they will be through to the semi—finals of the t20 world cup. that's after australia beat afghanistan by four runs, but they failed to get the net run—rate swing needed to further boost their chances of reaching the last four. glenn maxwell top scored for australia with 54, not out, as they made 168 for 8 in their innings. afghanistan showed fight and took australia all the way to the final over, but fell four runs short and end the tournament without a win.

we had not been able to show how we play as a group, and tonight was a good opportunity to have that game and maybe we should have sent finch out for the toss, but who knows what would have happened? that's as simple as it gets. we just missed the big moments probably too many times and missed a few opportunities during games. that narrow australia victory means new zealand are the first team to reach the semi—finals. captain kane williamson top scored with 61, as they beat ireland by 35 runs. amnesty and human rights watch have hit out at fifa's request to all the teams at the world cup to "focus on the football". human rights watch say it was "nothing short of appalling" that fifa's letter pleaded with people to "not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists." while amnesty in a statement said �*hundreds of thousands of workers have faced abuses to make this tournament

possible'. the world cup has been mired in controversy over qatar's human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and stance on same sex relationships. qatar's world cup organisers state, "everyone is welcome". england's women will go into tomorrow morning's rugby world cup semi final as heavy favourites against canada. canada, who aren't professional, suffered a 51—12 defeat to the red roses just a year ago — that was england's17th win in a record run that has now hit 29 tests. the winners will meet either new zealand or france in the final i think it's hit me the last couple of days, the magnitude of it and we have played at eden park first weekend on the crowd was incredible so i can only imagine it will be similarfor this so i can only imagine it will be similar for this weekend. so i can only imagine it will be similarfor this weekend. it so i can only imagine it will be similar for this weekend. it the semifinal of a world cup in new

zealand will be an incredible experience. northampton lock alex coles will make his england debut against argentina on sunday; as eddiejones's side begin their autumn nations series. owen farrell meanwhile will captain england — he's been paired with manu tuilagi in midfield. farrell has completed the return to play concussion protocol after suffering an injury in saracens' win over exeter two weeks ago. wales were comprehensively beaten by france, as they began their wheelchair rugby league world cup in sheffield. they were beaten by 158—6 by the defending champions, with the french scoring 16 first half tries. arnau vargas with this one. afterwards wales captain stuart williams said he was "a bit low but i'm so proud," it was defeat for scotland though in their tournament opener, they were beaten 62—41 by the united states in sheffield.

that's all the sport for the moment. thank you very much. i promised sarah would feel exactly the right amount of time needed to bring you an update on the real story and we give it to you that the rmt has said that it will now enter into a period of talks with network rail and the train operating companies who provide services and as a result of that it provide services and as a result of thatitis provide services and as a result of that it is apparently has suspended the series of strikes planned beginning tomorrow, affecting services around the country and it's interesting, the political background, because you might remember in her brief period as secretary of state for transport, anne—marie trevelyan sat down and had a meeting with the rmt general secretary nick lynch in which he described it as a good meeting with a positive attitude and this followed a period where the

government said it would not meet with the unions because he said it was a matter for network rail and the train operating companies did dispute. and they wanted a commitment there would be redundancies in the changes. and they wanted to make sure the service was more financially viable and one of the things under discussion is according to the union side has and they want to close ticket offices. in one of the changes and they now have a chance to discuss and we have a new ministerfor transport, mark harper, and hugh merriman who was the minister of state there, he gave some hint in the last 24 hours when he was doing interviews that he hoped there could be a period of

constructive working on the rail industry and it's clear from the cancellations around the country that a lot of train companies do not have enough staff they do overtime, and one of the things the union has done effectively along with other unions is effectively have its members say we will not take overtime and that's made it difficult to run some of the services and contributed to the cancellations, which in turn, make the industry less viable so you can understand why perhaps there would be political pressure to unlock the dispute before heavy winter weather sets in. we will bring you more as soon as we get it and will hopefully talk to our transport correspondent, katie austin. king charles is hosting a reception at buckingham palace this afternoon as part of preparations for the cop—27 climate conference in egypt. it was announced last month that the monarch would not be travelling to the summit, following discussions with the then prime minister, liz truss. the new prime minister rishi sunak has just in the last hour delivered his opening remarks at the reception — his latest words since he announced

his u—turn that he would now be attending cop27. we need to find practical solutions to climate change and biodiversity lasting for more than 50 years, long before the first cop, let alone 27, and if you look at the challenge before us it it is easy to feel daunted but i believe the agreements we reached in glasgow are a source of hope for the world. perhaps one of hope for the world. perhaps one of the greatest breakthroughs of all is that at the king's suggestion, while prince of wales, that glasgow was the first cop to bring together so many of the leading businesses and investors and to direct the world's wealth systematically towards protecting our planet. of course, as we know, there is much further to go. but as recent events

have shown, delivering on the promise of glasgow is more important than ever. as her late majesty the queen said in her address to cop26,, it is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit, written in history books yet to be printed will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity, and that you answered the call of those future generations. i hear that call repeatedly from my own young daughters too, and i'm sure you hear that call the same. so let me finish by saying this. the uk's presidency might be coming to an end, but our love global leadership will continue. together, we will write that chapter in history and bequeath our children and grandchildren a legacy to be proud of. thank you.

rishi sunak talking ahead of his visit to egypt and i want to bring you more on the rail story. network rail says it is welcome news that the rmt has called off the strikes and the late notice means that some trains will still not run tomorrow and it still giving advice for people to check theirjun if they are planning to travel on saturday or monday. there will be limited ability to change the timetable and some drivers have said they won't work extra overtime and some of the plan is have to be revisited but they say they look forward to getting back to the table with trade unions next week to see if the progress made can be built on and a resolution found. so they can't do anything about services for tomorrow and they are baked in an we found that effectively it would be difficult to travel tomorrow, but they are trying to make some movement for monday's plan strikes and finau the strikes are suspended

and finau the strikes are suspended and we can talk to katie austin, who is looking at her phone, because you are getting messages and update and i know you are trying to talk to people. what is underneath this announcement? it was expected, was it? , , :, :, announcement? it was expected, was it? this is something of a surprise and we are _ it? this is something of a surprise and we are getting _ it? this is something of a surprise and we are getting the _ it? this is something of a surprise and we are getting the news i it? this is something of a surprise and we are getting the news in i it? this is something of a surprise| and we are getting the news in the last few minutes, and the last time i spoke to people in the rmt and on the other side of the table at network rail, if you like, and the rail delivery group which expert train companies, they said no breakthrough had been made and they've had months of talks and negotiations.— they've had months of talks and negotiations. they've had months of talks and nerotiations. , :, :, :, negotiations. months of no talks in between where _ negotiations. months of no talks in between where people _ negotiations. months of no talks in between where people have - negotiations. months of no talks in between where people have sat i negotiations. months of no talks in i between where people have sat round the table and have nothing to say to each other because they seem to be intransigent on both sides. marriott they always said talks were happening and they would keep talking to each other but. but clearly no _ talking to each other but. but clearly no offer _ talking to each other but. bit clearly no offer had been made that the rmt thought was acceptable. what you said today was the strike that was meant to happen tomorrow is being called off. that does still

mean that only about 20% of britain's usual train services will run, and only between limited hours between about half past seven in the morning and half six in the evening. it's too late to stop that disruption, and with monday and wednesday, it will be tricky as well and we have to see if normal timetables can be put in place for wednesday but what the rmt assay is they are doing this so they can enter an intense period negotiations with network rail and train operating companies, and what they told me in a statement i can read for you here is they said network rail was going to impose changes to maintenance without agreement with the rmt. that is actually correct and network rail have said it will push through some changes to the way maintenance staff work, because it of the financial situation being so urgent and network rail says it has not changed its position so we will

have to see if they elaborate later, but the rmt say that the threat of strike action, they say, has made employers see sense and they have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and say they will push for a negotiated settlement in the talks, so if we get any more detail about the details, we will tell you. i will trade statement for statement cupboards i have one from the chief negotiator who says we look forward to getting back to round the table with the trade unions next week to see if the progress made this week can be built on and a resolution found. that does sound at least hopeful. absolutely. it's worth seeing where we were before because there was a bit of an argument when there was a bit of an argument when the rmt announced its strike dates and network rail said, look, we have given you an offer and the offer is 4% this year and 4% next year and they like to describe that as a percent over two years and said there was more on the table,

benefits like a discount in travel, and the rmt rejected that injuly and the rmt rejected that injuly and network rail said it had come back with an improved offer with a year more of no compulsory redundancy guarantees but the last we heard is that the rmt had rejected that saying it was not really an improved offer at all. so really an improved offer at all. so we really an improved offer at all. 5r we are left in a war of words, so since then, something must have happened in the talks to make it think that there is a point in continuing the talks. because when mick l nch continuing the talks. because when mick lynch was _ continuing the talks. because when mick lynch was sitting _ continuing the talks. because when mick lynch was sitting in _ continuing the talks. because when mick lynch was sitting in your i continuing the talks. because when mick lynch was sitting in your seat | mick lynch was sitting in your seat backin mick lynch was sitting in your seat back in july mick lynch was sitting in your seat back injuly and we had a long interview on bbc news and he said, for them, interview on bbc news and he said, forthem, compulsory interview on bbc news and he said, for them, compulsory redundancies was still a red line and they were not prepared to cross that, so presumably any movement is at least an opening of a fraction of a door that might lead to some movement on both sides to go through the door. clearly we don't know how that will work out. i wonder about the political environment. has it

changed? in other words, political environment. has it changed? in otherwords, is political environment. has it changed? in other words, is there a different mood in government towards this. until now it's in the government had said that this is for the rail industry to sort out and we are not involved and the unions accuse the governments of effectively pulling the strings behind the scenes but not taking responsibility, because they said if this would cost any more the only way it will be paid for his by rail company is turning to government saying you have to give us more funding. saying you have to give us more fundinr. , 9 :, :, funding. exactly. we now have another new _ funding. exactly. we now have another new transport - funding. exactly. we now have i another new transport secretary and rail minister who i spoke to yesterday and his language was quite conciliatory, hugh merriman, who was till recently cherry transport select committee and he was saying that we want to work together. on the tone of voice was not aggressive, it was we need to come together and find a solution, but one of the key questions will be, has this come about because of anything the government has done. we just don't know. and you are right, the background has been that the negotiations are being done with what they describe as a mandate that

is ultimately controlled by the government but has been for the unions and employers to negotiate within that, and see what they can do within the financial constraints they have been given, so, yes, what we will have to see is if anything has happened from the government to change this, but i simply don't know at this moment. it change this, but i simply don't know at this moment.— at this moment. it could be good news for commuters, _ at this moment. it could be good news for commuters, but - at this moment. it could be good news for commuters, but maybe | at this moment. it could be good i news for commuters, but maybe not your weekend. let's go live to lorna gordon, who was in glasgow for us. lorna, this could have been a very, very uncomfortable appearance for nicola sturgeon. what happened. there's a lot of new claims, not least which had been made in a recent documentary which he described as quite serious. it was a

lengthy questioning that lasted two hours and was very detailed, but nicola sturgeon is an accomplished parliamentarian. she nicola sturgeon is an accomplished parliamentarian.— nicola sturgeon is an accomplished parliamentarian. she dealt with the ruestions parliamentarian. she dealt with the questions and _ parliamentarian. she dealt with the questions and many _ parliamentarian. she dealt with the questions and many members i parliamentarian. she dealt with the questions and many members of i parliamentarian. she dealt with the i questions and many members of the committee would say of the questions remain unanswered and there are further details they would like and they look forward to the first minister fleshing them out in the future which she said she would, but it's fair to say that the £97 million contract to build the lifeline ferry services has been controversial. the first minister, in her own words on the committee meeting this morning, said it was the understatement of the decade to say the contract has not gone as expected or hoped, and vessels 801 and 802 are running five years late and 802 are running five years late and as it stands at the moment, at least £150 million over budget. there is the wider backdrop, she said, of a damning audit which lists multiple failings in the process in

a bbc scotland disclosure which suggested that the process might have been rigged. nicola sturgeon said the allegations of the bbc programme are serious allegations and need to be investigated. she said she was not aware of any impropriety and rejected any suggestions that a contract to build these new ferries was inappropriately steered towards the ferguson shipyard which at the time was owned by the businessman, jim mccall and told msps that it was categorically not the case that the bidding process was unfair. it categorically not the case that the bidding process was unfair.- bidding process was unfair. it was not in the interest _ bidding process was unfair. it was not in the interest for _ bidding process was unfair. it was not in the interest for the - not in the interest for the government to award it to them and it was— government to award it to them and it wasjobs— government to award it to them and it wasjobs for the government to award it to them and it was jobs for the boys and there's been _ it was jobs for the boys and there's been talk— it was jobs for the boys and there's been talk of the relationship between scottish government and gemma _ between scottish government and gemma mccall. if between scottish government and gemma mccall-— between scottish government and gemma mccall. , :, �* :_ gemma mccall. if you're saying there was something _ gemma mccall. if you're saying there was something untoward _ gemma mccall. if you're saying there was something untoward in _ gemma mccall. if you're saying there was something untoward in the i was something untoward in the procurement _ was something untoward in the procurement process— was something untoward in the procurement process in- was something untoward in the procurement process in order. was something untoward in the i procurement process in order to somehow— procurement process in order to somehow inappropriately- procurement process in order to somehow inappropriately steali procurement process in order to. somehow inappropriately steal the process— somehow inappropriately steal the process towards _ somehow inappropriately steal the process towards f _ somehow inappropriately steal the process towards f mail, _ somehow inappropriately steal the i process towards f mail, absolutely, categorically— process towards f mail, absolutely, categorically not. _ process towards f mail, absolutely, categorically not.—

categorically not. nicola sturgeon exressed categorically not. nicola sturgeon expressed her— categorically not. nicola sturgeon expressed her regret _ categorically not. nicola sturgeon expressed her regret to _ categorically not. nicola sturgeon expressed her regret to the i categorically not. nicola sturgeon| expressed her regret to the island communities affected by the delays and the delivery of these two ferries and recognised the decisions around the procurement vessels or progress or lack of the scottish government's broad support to the shipyard are matters of significant interest and concern. speaking after the committee hearing, the convener of the committee, who is richard leonard of labour, he said that the evidence to the committee confirmed there are still gaps of the information available to the public and said that the first minister has made a commitment to seek to provide this additional information and that the committee is looking forward to receiving this. the committee is looking forward to receiving this-— receiving this. lorna gordon, it feels like _ receiving this. lorna gordon, it feels like the _ receiving this. lorna gordon, it feels like the story _ receiving this. lorna gordon, it feels like the story has - receiving this. lorna gordon, it feels like the story has some i receiving this. lorna gordon, it i feels like the story has some way to go. thank you. the english national opera is among arts bodies in london which are losing their funding from arts council england. it's part of a programme to move money for cultural institutions out of the capital — new recipients will include libraries in barnsley, blackpool illuminations and a festival of thrift in redcar.

with the details of a major shake up, here's our arts correspondent, david sillito. english national opera, opera, sung in english, based in london and more than a third of its income comes from the arts council. it is now off the funding list. there will be a transitional grant to help it restructure and move, possibly to manchester, but it's a heavy blow. i was slightly surprised at the arts council would reduce funding to an organisation that has brought in young people and we give completely free tickets to under 21 is on the only opera house and the well—to—do that, and about 13% of the audience is people of colour, way ahead of other opera companies. the is people of colour, way ahead of other opera companies. the mayor of london says — other opera companies. the mayor of london says the _ other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital— other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital is _ other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital is losing i london says the capital is losing around £50 million in arts funding. but shakespeare north, a new theatre in prescott near saint helens, is one of dozens of organisations outside london receiving funding is

for the first time.— for the first time. we've invested so that as — for the first time. we've invested so that as many _ for the first time. we've invested so that as many people _ for the first time. we've invested so that as many people as - for the first time. we've invested i so that as many people as possible in england — so that as many people as possible in england can enjoy the very best of creativity. this means no matter where _ of creativity. this means no matter where you — of creativity. this means no matter where you live, whatever your background, you will have culture close _ background, you will have culture close to _ background, you will have culture close to your home.— close to your home. blackpool illuminations _ close to your home. blackpool illuminations will _ close to your home. blackpool illuminations will now - close to your home. blackpool illuminations will now receive | illuminations will now receive funding. this shift, especially to the north has been driven by the government. it the north has been driven by the government-— the north has been driven by the government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, _ government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if— government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if you _ government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if you live - government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if you live in i government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if you live in the | think, fairness, if you live in the northeast, northwest, why should you not be able to experience culture and why shouldn't your children be able to learn and get that creativity for a young age and be inspired to potentially go into these types of industries? 50. inspired to potentially go into these types of industries? so, less for o era these types of industries? so, less for opera and _ these types of industries? so, less for opera and the _ these types of industries? so, less for opera and the high _ these types of industries? so, less for opera and the high arts - these types of industries? so, less for opera and the high arts and i these types of industries? so, less i for opera and the high arts and more for opera and the high arts and more for towns like barnsley which is getting support for its libraries. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett really was a chilly start with temperatures as low as —3 in scotland and it could be cold in scotland and it could be cold in scotland mainly for eastern parts of

the uk but not so much in the west because all the cloudy streaming in and you can see how it is wrapping around this big area of low pressure out in the atlantic which is not reaching us just yet, out in the atlantic which is not reaching usjust yet, but out in the atlantic which is not reaching us just yet, but pushing well ahead, all of the cloud beginning to arrive across western parts of the uk and after the cold start in the east, this is where we had the best of the sunshine in those fairly gentle westerly breeze as pendants across eastern areas that temperatures will fall away and these are the numbers we have got as it gets dark this evening on the temperatures will continue to fall away to the east and you can see one or two showers coming in to the irish sea coastal areas, one or two heading to shetland overnight and then the cloudy spills in and will bring some rain and that's mainly coming into the western side of the uk, so with clearer skies for longer and the wind later we could see another frost in scotland and easily getting to two or three degrees widely for the eastern side of the uk. here we will see the cloud pushing and quickly in the morning with rain to start the day and

western areas and it will tend to become lighter and more patchy as it pushes slowly eased through the day, allowing some sunshine to come into much of scotland and through northern ireland and many parts of england and wales will stay quite cloudy, not much rain around on the temperatures peaking at around 13 or 14 degrees. as we head into bonfire night, we have the potentialfor rain in south—eastern areas are monitor showers in the far north—west, but for many all turned right and there might be some clearer skies around as well. but we do have those showers coming in around the area of low pressure which is getting closer to the uk, and the weather and bring in the rain eastwards during the day will hang around in the night and may be for a while across south—eastern areas into sunday. some rain to clear away from here but very quickly we will see rain pushing further eastwards across england and wales or a mixture of sunshine and a scattering of showers for scotland and northern ireland with the wind is tending to pick up, may be touching gale force, in the far north—west later on in those temperatures again may be between 12

or 14 degrees. a quick look into the early part of next week, windy, unsettled, rain or showers, early part of next week, windy, unsettled, rain orshowers, but early part of next week, windy, unsettled, rain or showers, but it looks like it will get milder, particular on tuesday with highs of 15 or 16 degrees. this is bbc news. the headlines. the rmt union has announced it is suspending a series of rail strikes supposed to be happening tomorrow.

the albanian gangs recruiting migrants — to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade. keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times. pakistan's former prime minister, imran khan, remains defiant as he addresses the nation from a hospital in lahore. twitter begins cutting jobs around the world following the firm's takeover by elon musk. a memo has gone out to staff detailing how they'll be sacked. the rumours that we had heard, in the days prior to this e—mail going out, about reduction in headcount, were, sort of, painting very large figures. and, the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding

as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions out of london. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. a busy hour because in the past half an hour at the rmt has unexpectedly suspended strike action planned for tomorrow. the union has now said it will enter a period of negotiations with network rail and the operators calling off the walk—out planned for november the 5th, the seventh, and the ninth. just a few moments ago, our transport correspondent came into the studio. last

our transport correspondent came into the studio.— into the studio. last time i spoke to --eole into the studio. last time i spoke to people from — into the studio. last time i spoke to people from the _ into the studio. last time i spoke to people from the rmt - into the studio. last time i spoke to people from the rmt and i into the studio. last time i spoke to people from the rmt and the l into the studio. last time i spoke i to people from the rmt and the other side of the network from the network rail, they were saying, no breakthrough had been made. we've had months of talks, months of negotiations.— had months of talks, months of nerotiations. , :, :, :, ,, negotiations. months of no talk as well, negotiations. months of no talk as well. haven't _ negotiations. months of no talk as well, haven't we. _ negotiations. months of no talk as well, haven't we. as _ negotiations. months of no talk as well, haven't we. as people i negotiations. months of no talk as well, haven't we. as people sat i well, haven't we. as people sat round the table with nothing to say to each other because i was intransigence on both sides. they've alwa s had intransigence on both sides. they've always had talks _ intransigence on both sides. they've always had talks were _ intransigence on both sides. they've always had talks were still— always had talks were still happening and they would keep talking to each other, but the important thing was, clearly, no offer had been made that the rmt had said was acceptable. what they have said was acceptable. what they have said today is that the strike that was supposed to happen tomorrow is being called off. that would have meant, and does still mean that only about 20% of britain's usual train services will run. and, only between limited hours. between about 7:30am and 6:30pm. it is too late to stop that disruption. with monday and wednesday, it is going to be tricky as well. we will have to see whether

the normal timetable can be put in place a wednesday. what the rmt is saying is that they are doing this because they can now enter a really intense period of negotiations with network rail and train operating companies. what they told me in a statement which i can read for you is that they just say originally network rail was going to impose changes to maintenance without agreement from the rmt. that is actually correct. network rail has said that it is going to push through changes to the way maintenance staff worked. the financial situation there is so urgent. network rail says today it hasn't changed its position, we will have to see whether they elaborate on that later. the rmt say that the threat of strike action, they say, has made employers see sense. they say. they have always wanted to secure a negotiation settlement and they will now continue to push for a negotiation settlement in the talks. we are getting more detail about this. �* ., ., ., , ., this. i'm going to trade statement

for statement _ this. i'm going to trade statement for statement here. _ this. i'm going to trade statement for statement here. the _ this. i'm going to trade statement for statement here. the chief - for statement here. the chief negotiator says we look forward to going back to the table to see if quote the progress made this week can be built on and a resolution found. that does sound at least hopeful. found. that does sound at least hoeful. ~ ,,., , found. that does sound at least hoeful. , , ~ hopeful. absolutely. where we were before, it's worth _ hopeful. absolutely. where we were before, it's worth seeing _ hopeful. absolutely. where we were before, it's worth seeing where - hopeful. absolutely. where we were before, it's worth seeing where we l before, it's worth seeing where we were before because there was a bit of an argument, when the rmt announced its strike dates, network rail said we have given you an offer, and the offer has li% rail said we have given you an offer, and the offer has ii% this year, next year. they like to describe that as 8% over two years. they have said there was more than that on the table, benefits, like discounted travel. but the rmt rejected that back injuly. network rail said it had come back with an improved offer with one year or more of no compulsory redundancy guarantees. the last we had heard, the rmt had rejected saying there wasn't really an improved offer at all. we were left in this, both sides a war of words. clearly, since

then, something must have happened in the talks to make them think there is a point in continuing those talks. ~ ., _, ., , talks. when a colleague were sitting in the seat you _ talks. when a colleague were sitting in the seat you are _ talks. when a colleague were sitting in the seat you are right _ talks. when a colleague were sitting in the seat you are right now - talks. when a colleague were sitting in the seat you are right now when l in the seat you are right now when we had a very long conversation, he said, for them, redundancies were a red line they weren't prepared to cross. presumably any movement is at least an opening of a fraction of a door that might lead to some movement on both sides to go through that door, clearly we don't know how that door, clearly we don't know how that might work out. what about the political environment? has it changed, in other words, political environment? has it changed, in otherwords, is political environment? has it changed, in other words, is there a different mood in government towards this? because until now it has seemed as though government had said this is for the rail industry to sort out, we are not involved, and the union has accused government of pulling the strings behind the scenes but not taking responsibility. they said if this is going to cost any more, the only way will be paid for is by the rail companies turning around to

government and saying you will have to give us more funding.— to give us more funding. exactly. we now have a — to give us more funding. exactly. we now have a lovely _ to give us more funding. exactly. we now have a lovely transport - now have a lovely transport secretary and an rail minister who i spoke to yesterday. his language was quite conciliatory. he was saying that we want to work together. the tone of voice was not aggressive, if you like. it was that we need to come together and find a solution. one of the queen to lick my key questions will be, has this coming about because of what government has done? —— one of the key questions will be... it is that for employers and negotiators within that. we will see what they can do within the financial constraints they have been given. financial constraints they have been aiven, , ., ., financial constraints they have been uiven. , ., ., , , given. just wanted to bring you up to date with _ given. just wanted to bring you up to date with what _ given. just wanted to bring you up to date with what has _ given. just wanted to bring you up to date with what has actually - given. just wanted to bring you up | to date with what has actually been said. the rmt say that they have

secured unconditional talks on the network rail and the promise of an offerfrom companies who network rail and the promise of an offer from companies who up until this point had made no offer of any client. originally they were imposing measures to maintenance without agreement from the rmt. the current dispute centres on securing a fresh mandate for action due on the 15th of november. rmt general secretary then says we have always wanted to negotiate a settlement and we will continue to push for that. our priority is our members and we are working towards securing a deal onjob are working towards securing a deal on job security, a are working towards securing a deal onjob security, a pay are working towards securing a deal on job security, a pay rise and are working towards securing a deal onjob security, a pay rise and good working conditions. then network rail says, we look forward to getting back round the table with all of our trade unions to see if the progress made this week can be built on and a resolution found. he says that it is too late to do much about some of the strike action and the impact because decisions have

already been made. one interesting aspect of this is what the rmt said about its ballot, the 15th of november. the union will be getting some idea from the responses it has had so far, whether or not there is an appetite among its members for continuing the industrial action. it is possible, who knows either way, that that might have influenced whether there is renewed desire for progress. the other thing that might influence it is the attitude of the companies because a lot of the train operators are becoming increasingly difficult to provide the services, even on strike days because of the number of drivers who don't do over time. there are enough drivers in the industry to cover all the chefs. it requires people doing voluntary overtime. that is true across the country, scenarios than others. the other element is government. we have a change of secretary of secretary of state, in fact we have a change of state, in fact we have a change of secretary of state, in fact we're on our third secretary of state for the last three months. grant shapps

who had thejob under the last three months. grant shapps who had the job under borisjohnson was absolutely implacable and saying he wouldn't meet the unions, it was a matterfor the rail industry he wouldn't meet the unions, it was a matter for the rail industry to resolve with the union. anne—marie trevelyan sat down and had a chat with them there when she said that the general secretary said afterwards it had been a good meeting and that he felt it was constructive because they had not a meeting of minds but at least he had found a positive attitude from anne—marie trevelyan. and then he marry men who is the new transport secretary was interviewed yesterday and was effectively saying that strikes are being suspended from september, we don't know how the would go down, nothing before november the 15th because that of causes when the new balance take effect. what the new transport minister were saying was that there

was a desire to see a resolution because there was a desire for good industrial relations in their industry. if that is a signal from government that may have helped a little bit. let's talk to their transport editor of the format independent. good to have you here. what do you make of this. the obvious question is, if i was planning to travel tomorrow can i still travel tomorrow or is it going to be dodgy? it is still travel tomorrow or is it going to be dodgy?— still travel tomorrow or is it going to be dodgy? it is still going to be doda , to be dodgy? it is still going to be dodgy. i'm _ to be dodgy? it is still going to be dodgy, i'm afraid. _ to be dodgy? it is still going to be dodgy, i'm afraid. the _ to be dodgy? it is still going to be dodgy, i'm afraid. the very - to be dodgy? it is still going to be dodgy, i'm afraid. the very first . dodgy, i'm afraid. the very first cancellation as a result of the strikes is the 5:30am from sunderland to london kings cross on grand central. that was cancelled days ago. the train operators were planning to have a fairly robust operation on the lines which were running, for example, if you live in almost all of wales or almost all of scotland you aren't expecting any trains. none in devon, none in common. on the main lines to and

from london there were a fair amount. those are going to run as planned, so, for instance, hourly services from cardiff, liverpool, bristol, preston, into london and back. you are not going to see everything else back into life. all the rosters have been written for the rosters have been written for the weekend and they tend to work about a week and a head which would mean, effectively, we couldn't honestly think that we are going to see anything back to complete normality. however, tomorrow is going to be pretty much the same. no point reinstating your plans if you have cancelled them all have alternatives. send you are probably not going to have very much impact. we are expecting there would be. monday, it will be a little bit messy and by wednesday things might be better. please don't assume that the trains are going to be running. certainly by wednesday things that should be back to sort of normal. of

course, poor old passengers have got used to the idea of long—running disruption. well worth saying, besides the ballots that you refer to which will be conducted by the 15th of november, there is still very much live disputes involving the train drivers union and the transport staff association, the white collar union. there is a lot of dispute running on pay. i take your point that the new management at the department for transport, mark harper, the transport secretary and particularly their minister do seem to have brought a certain freshness. meanwhile, the employer side, they say they haven't really change much at all. we are still trying to do the best we can in very difficult circumstances. fist trying to do the best we can in very difficult circumstances.— difficult circumstances. at the end ofthe difficult circumstances. at the end of the day. _ difficult circumstances. at the end of the day. the — difficult circumstances. at the end of the day, the rail— difficult circumstances. at the end of the day, the rail industry - difficult circumstances. at the end of the day, the rail industry is - of the day, the rail industry is peculiar. yes, it is commercial in the sense of their companies are private but the reality is because they don't make enough just from selling tickets a lot of it depends on the amount of public subsidy and

therefore any significant changes to pay off half to have government sign off. , ., pay off half to have government sign off. , . m, ., pay off half to have government sign off. ., , ., ., off. yes and the scale of shortfall is astronomical _ off. yes and the scale of shortfall is astronomical since _ off. yes and the scale of shortfall is astronomical since covid-19. i is astronomical since covid—i9. previously, you had about £11 billion coming in every year from fair revenue and that effectively the taxpayer paid another £5 billion or so. we have lost maybe two, maybe three, may £4 billion and therefore the rail industry is a real mess. employers have said we can get through this but only if you modernise. the rail unions are very used to the idea that you want to get some productivity deal, that's fine but you are going to cost us a couple of percent on our pay. look of our couple of percent on our pay. look of your work— couple of percent on our pay. look of your work is _ couple of percent on our pay. look of your work is about _ couple of percent on our pay. look of your work is about to _ couple of percent on our pay. look of your work is about to travel as a leisure activity as much as an income... a way that people get to work on all the rest of it. on that, one of the big changes that has been talk about, the unions have been

accused of throwing this up as an attempt to scare the public, and there are certainly no official word from rail companies or more importantly network rail that this is an option on the table, there is this question of operating perhaps in the future without ticket offices. somebody who uses the industry and understands how people interact with trains, do you think thatis interact with trains, do you think that is a go?— interact with trains, do you think that is a go? unfortunately for the eo - le that is a go? unfortunately for the people who _ that is a go? unfortunately for the people who really _ that is a go? unfortunately for the people who really need _ that is a go? unfortunately for the people who really need to - that is a go? unfortunately for the people who really need to use - that is a go? unfortunately for the people who really need to use a i people who really need to use a ticket office i'm pretty sure we will be there in ten years' time. because, you get on a typical train, the train manager come through, checks of the tickets, i reckon about 80, 90% isjust checks of the tickets, i reckon about 80, 90% is just people with their tickets they have bought on their tickets they have bought on their phones and that will continue. it's a question of whether you are going to have the resources in place in the department for transport stresses this, in the station to help people who need help. the idea, we know people these in

eight days, if you rein in advance, there will be people who have to use a mobility vehicle on the train. that will continue. the only question is the man a woman who was sitting behind a window, is that the most useful thing that they could be doing or do they need to rethink it it's extremely controversial, lots of passengers say we need somebody there, the union say that, whether thatis there, the union say that, whether that is feasible for the future remains to be seen. in a week that's been dominated by news about the immigration system the bbc has heard evidence that albanian drug gangs are using migrant camps in northern france as a recruitment ground — offering to pay the passage of people who looking for better economic prospects and are prepared to work in the uk's illegal drugs trade. albanians account for at least one third of the 38,000 people who've crossed the channel

to england this year, according to the latest government figures. our correspondent lucy williamson reports. for each boat, each migrant, there can be many smugglers. albanian fixers, uk guarantors, kurdish criminal gangs. one man who paid for a place on a kurdish boat this summer says he was approached by recruiters for the uk drugs trade in a dunkirk migrant camp. translation: they offered me lots of things - - to pay for thejourney, to give me a job, but i wasn't interested. they asked me four or five times. this is where the albanian migrant trail begins. small towns like laknas marked by absence — the shuttered houses and empty cafes — leftovers of an exodus that's spiked this year. as the price of crossing to the uk has dropped, the suburbs around tirana are being drained of people. locals in this neighbourhood say 70% of the community has already left, and many of those living here now

are thinking ofjoining them. adverts on albanian social media promise easy passage for about £3,000, with middlemen on hand to arrange transport from brussels, paris or dunkirk. we contacted some of them, posing as an albanian client. within half an hour, we had two offers for crossings, different options for payment, and advice on claiming asylum in the uk. this system is one reason uk police say the networks are hard to break. whereas in drugs, firearms, you would see a hierarchical structure with a kingpin at the top, we don't see that with organised immigration crime. we see close associations, loose networks across that migration route. french officials say that albanians are acting as middlemen for the iraqi kurdish gangs that still control most boat crossings from france.

this woman's son crossed from dunkirk last month without the help of fixers, or even the money to pay the smugglers. a relative in england acted as guarantor, she said, and got her son across. his younger brother — just 14 years old — is already planning his own trip. each successful crossing, an invisible thread that tugs at the minds of albanians back home. lucy williamson, bbc news, dunkirk. discounts on energy bills will be offered to households that use less power during peak times — under plans from the national grid to avoid blackouts. the scheme is going to be tested in england, scotland and wales on 12 days between now and march — though only properties with a smart metre will be able to take part. national grid estimates it could save eligible households up to £100.

our business correspondent emma simpson reports. let's get some reaction to this plan from the head of policy at the energy saving trust, stew horne. thank you for being with us. what do you make of this proposal? i'm really pleased that this that this ro osal really pleased that this that this proposal has — really pleased that this that this proposal has been _ really pleased that this that this proposal has been launched - really pleased that this that this - proposal has been launched because it will help us manage the difficult times where there is a lot of demand on the energy system and not as much power generation as we might expect. it is a really useful part of the tool box. for the first time we have seen a service like this rolled out at scale across the country. we think it is a great move, but, what would also really help in general is a government backed awareness campaign to help people understand what actions they can take to lower

their energy bills and how it can interact with the services. also, i think we need to think very carefully in the future about people who don't have smart waiters and how it can help them to lower their demands and how it can help them to participate in these schemes. i suspect some people will say, £100, very nice but actually, £100 every year given the way bills are at the moment is kind of a drop in the ocean. it is perhaps not enough incentive to put up with the noise if you live in a small property of the dishwasher or the washing machine, rattling away at night, keeping you awake. or maybe having to set the alarm to get up to put it on in the middle of the night. i think we can already see that there is quite... the scheme is a ready launched today and there has already been quite a bit of demand from customers. the first supplier we know definitely taking part is

octopus, 300,000 of their customers have only applied to take part. that puts 100 mw of flexible power in the system, so that's really important. clearly, at the moment, we can see there is enough interest from people. we hope that can only grow over time. people. we hope that can only grow overtime. i people. we hope that can only grow over time. ., �* ., ., ., ~ over time. i don't want to make the enem of over time. i don't want to make the enemy of the _ over time. i don't want to make the enemy of the good, _ over time. i don't want to make the enemy of the good, as _ over time. i don't want to make the enemy of the good, as it _ over time. i don't want to make the enemy of the good, as it were, - enemy of the good, as it were, because clearly anything that reduces energy use is positive. from your position, do you think we have a coherent energy policy that will deliver the long—term changes to our energy use that we need in this country? energy use that we need in this count ? ,., ., , ., country? the government has got net zero lan country? the government has got net zero plan and — country? the government has got net zero plan and a _ country? the government has got net zero plan and a strategy _ country? the government has got net zero plan and a strategy and - country? the government has got net zero plan and a strategy and it - country? the government has got net zero plan and a strategy and it has - zero plan and a strategy and it has got an energy security strategy which is looking at how much energy supply we've got. the missing part is an energy demand strategy. we think the government needs to sit down and produce a concrete plan

about how we are going to... it's got the impression... but a concrete plan about how we're going to insulate all of homes that are currently poor quality. there are 60.8 million of those. there is a big jump. also, 60.8 million of those. there is a bigjump. also, how we 60.8 million of those. there is a big jump. also, how we help people to take pressure of the system at times of high demand. that is good for the energy security of the country, it is good for lowering bills, and it is good for lowering our carbon emissions. it absolutely the right thing to do.— the right thing to do. thank you for bein: with the right thing to do. thank you for being with us _ the right thing to do. thank you for being with us on _ the right thing to do. thank you for being with us on bbc _ the right thing to do. thank you for being with us on bbc news. - pakistan's opposition leader and former prime minister, imran khan, has addressed the nation from a hospital in lahore a day after he was attacked by a gunman during a mass protest march on the capital. his allies have accused state security agencies of being behind the attack, during which mr khan was shot in the leg.

the injuries he was explaining he was talking through with a doctor on a television feed about the damage to his lower leg. i think it is probably a bit late to save his cricketing career but maybe it is going to make him less mobile than he has been. he says it is not putting him off his ambition to ensure that elections are held, because he accuses the government and the americans of being involved in a conspiracy to force him from office earlier this year. let's go live to islamabad, and talk to our correspondent sahir baloch. thank you forjoining us from islamabad. can you give us more detail about what exactly imran khan had to say? he detail about what exactly imran khan had to sa ? ., , detail about what exactly imran khan hadtosa? , had to say? he was speaking first about his injuries _ had to say? he was speaking first about his injuries were _ had to say? he was speaking first about his injuries were she - had to say? he was speaking first about his injuries were she was i about his injuries were she was online, he informed everybody that he had four bullet injuries and

apart from that, some 16 injuries as well. apart from that, he also spoke about the corruption charges against him and about how his opponents are still corrupt and he will go after them. he also spoke about how, once you get better, he will once again get on the road and come to is and will continue the long march as well. he also named three people, who he considers to be the prime suspects in the plan to attack him. he also spoke about the lone wolf or the lone gunman who attacked him during the rally and said that he was not acting of his own well. he also said this was part of a bigger plan. these were some of the things that he was speaking about. sham i that he was speaking about. am i riaht in that he was speaking about. am i right in saying. — that he was speaking about. am i right in saying, when _ that he was speaking about. am i right in saying, when you - that he was speaking about. am i right in saying, when you monitoring this protest when it kicked off in the last week? it had gone as far as lahore, what has happened to it now?

when the shaukat khanum started everyone was very enthusiastic and it seemed that this march would lead to as on the 4th of november which was today. then the dates were changed and suddenly the entire plan change. imran khan only travelled from lahore not a very big distance. some of the people were getting a bit tired of multiple changes and the date changes and then there were certain... it seemed as though there was no conclusive plan to this entire long march. then a prominent journalist in pakistan was shot dead in kenya and after that imran khan announced his first and he said that he will come to is a bad this time around. imran khan is saying that he will continue the long march in order to deal with the demand for early elections in pakistan. now he is coming back and he says when he gets better he will be on the road

and he will come to islamabad to continue what he had left off. abs, continue what he had left off. a corresponding inner islamabad. thank you very much. it's been confirmed that there won't be a stormont assembly election this year. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris had said another election would be called, after the deadline to restore power—sharing passed last week. currently a vote is still required within the next three months. earlier i spoke to our ireland correspondent emma vardy let's talk to commentator, emma desouza. she ran as an independent candidate in the recent assembly election. was talking to our island correspondence he was saying it is now quite possible given the parliamentary majority at westminster that chris heaton—harris could move to alter the legislation so that effectively they didn't have to be an election within the three months. that could really leave this process open—ended. you ran. mont,

clearly hoping to do something useful, is that a frustrating process? i useful, is that a frustrating process?— useful, is that a frustrating rocess? ~ , ., ., process? i think it is important to reco . nise process? i think it is important to recognise where _ process? i think it is important to recognise where that _ process? i think it is important to recognise where that legislative l recognise where that legislative requirement comes from. the legislation that requires within 12 weeks comes from a multiparty agreement negotiated two years ago. the purpose was to ensure that we don't have these long periods of blockage with the democratic institutions not up and running after we had three years of no devolution prior to that agreement. it is widely expected that there is going to be potentially legislation next week. that then means northern ireland's institutions are in cold storage while the uk government negotiates and tried to put together an agreement with the eu. that has a wider effect in northern ireland. it has an impact in terms of public services and an impact in terms of investment and in terms of the

apathy that is sinking in with the electorate in terms of seeing politics in northern ireland. that isn't really working. it politics in northern ireland. that isn't really working.— isn't really working. it isn't really working. _ isn't really working. it isn't really working. i _ isn't really working. it isn't really working. i don't - isn't really working. it isn't| really working. i don't think isn't really working. it isn't - really working. i don't think anyone would suggest it is. an assembly election before christmas presumably risked a low turnout. the more fundamental problem is that the northern ireland protocol remains in place and the dup say that is it's absolute red line. until you can solve that conundrum, presumably nobody seriously expects power—sharing to happen. nobody seriously expects power-sharing to happen. there is a big challenge _ power-sharing to happen. there is a big challenge here, _ power-sharing to happen. there is a big challenge here, the _ power-sharing to happen. there is a big challenge here, the dup - power-sharing to happen. there is a big challenge here, the dup has - power-sharing to happen. there is a | big challenge here, the dup has been very clear in its possession, in terms of requiring the consent to whatever arrangements come from the post—brexit trade agreement. i think it also works noting that there is no consent to the db's actions from all other communities in northern ireland. northern ireland's electric to just return a protocol majority and the thing about northern ireland

politics is the way through is through negotiation, compromise and cooperation for that that is how the good friday agreement was delivered. this situation now is not the way to deliver sustainable solutions for northern ireland. we have to wait collectively to find consensus for a path forward. collectively to find consensus for a path forward-— collectively to find consensus for a path forward. thank you for 'oining us. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. we set the sun has set on a dry and sunny day for many of us that we have seen the cloud streaming in from the atlantic which arrived from northern ireland. the of that we have one or two showers around these coastal areas feeding an over the irish sea and showers in scotland will get pushed up. that cloud

thickens in the west and we start to see some rain coming in. ahead of it these are the minimum temperatures. we could get close to freezing across eastern areas. those numbers may rise in the night as the cloud continues to move in. that rain across western areas in the morning which moves very slowly eastwards with some sunshine following in northern ireland and in the afternoon across much of scotland. for many parts of england and wales we will find that staying cloudy. the rain is becoming quite light and patchy so some places may still be dry and temperatures will be up to around 12 to 14 degrees. perhaps 1 degrees higher than today. it is bonfire night tomorrow. they could be some rain across south—eastern parts of england perhaps the midlands and some showers in the far north—west. for many other parts it will be dry with hopefully some clearer skies. hello. this is bbc news with shaun ley. the headlines. the rmt suspends a series

of planned rail strikes — starting tomorrow. the union says it will now enter fresh negotiations with train companies and network rail. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants to get some of them to work in the illegal uk drugs trade. keeping the lights on this winter — a new scheme launches which will see customers offered discounts on their energy bills if they agree to use less electricity at peak times . pakistan's former prime minister, imran khan, remains defiant as he addresses the nation from a hospital in lahore. twitter begins cutting jobs around the world following the firm's takeover by elon musk. a memo has gone out to staff detailing how they'll be sacked the room as we had heard in the days prior to the e—mail going out about reduction in headcount —— the rumours. they were painting a very

large figures. and the english national opera is to lose its arts council funding as part of a programme to move cash for cultural institutions out of london sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre now. we're starting with cricket because — england now know that if they beat sri lanka tomorrow — they'll be through to the semi—finals of the t20 world cup. they've been thrown a lifeline because australia only narrowly beat afghanistan and failed to get the net run—rate swing they needed. it was another extraordinary game from this world cup. glenn maxwell top scored for australia with 54, not out, as they made 168 for 8 in their innings. and afghanistan showed fight in reply, taking australia all the way to the final over, but they fell four runs short and end the tournament without a win. we had not been able to show how we

play as a group, and tonight was a good opportunity to have that game and maybe we should have sent finch out for the toss, but who knows what would have happened? that's as simple as it gets. we just missed the big moments probably too many times and missed a few opportunities during games. in the other game today, new zealand beat ireland by 35 runs — captain kane williamson onto next month's football world cup now and the pressure groups — amnesty and human rights watch — have hit out at fifa's request to all the teams going to qatar to "focus on the football". human rights watch say it was "nothing short of appalling" that fifa's letter asked players "not to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists." whilst amnesty pointed out qatar's teatment of migrant workers. the world cup has been mired in controversy over the hosts' human rights record and stance on same sex relationships.

england's harry kane and nine other captains of european teams will be the tournament organisers have said everyone is welcome. england's women will go into tomorrow morning's rugby world cup semi final as heavy favourites against canada. canada, who aren't professional, suffered a 51—12 defeat to the red roses just a year ago — that was england's17th win in a record run that has now hit 29 tests. the winners will meet either new zealand or france in the final i think it has hit me in the last couple of days, the magnitude and i played at eden park in the first weekend in the crowd was incredible, so i can only imagine it will be similarfor this so i can only imagine it will be similar for this weekend. the final is a bit bigger, but the semifinal of the world cup in new zealand will be an incredible experience. northampton lock alex coles will make his england debut against argentina on sunday; as eddiejones's side begin their autumn nations series. owen farrell meanwhile will captain england —

he's been paired with manu tuilagi in midfield. farrell has completed the return to play concussion protocol after suffering an injury in saracens' win over exeter two weeks ago. also, northampton fly—half dan biggar is set to join french side toulon with immediate effect. the wales international had already announced he would be leaving saints at the end of the season. but today, biggar said he "never envisaged leaving saints midway through the season, but this opportunity came around very quickly," and he made the decision with his family in mind. the saints chief exec said he leaves with the club's "very best wishes". wales were comprehensively beaten by france, as they began their wheelchair rugby league world cup in sheffield. they were beaten by 158 points to 6 by the defending champions, with the french scoring 16 first half tries. arnau vargas with this one. afterwards wales captain stuart williams said he was "a bit low but i'm so proud," there was also defeat for scotland in their tournament opener, they were beaten 62—41 by the united states, who are playing in the world cup for the very first time.

that's all the sport for now. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has said she "completely and utterly" refutes suggestions of political interference in the award of an ill—fated ferry contract. she was appearing earlier today in front of a holyrood commitee which is investigating delays and overspends over the two new vessels for scotland's west coast island communities. earlier i spoke to our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, who followed the developments at the holyrood committee. this was a lengthy questioning that lasted about two hours but nicola sturgeon is an accomplished parliamentarian. and she dealt with the questions and i think many members of the committee would say many of those questions remain unanswered and there are further details they would like a look forward to the first minister fleshing them out in the future, when she said she would but it's

fair to say that the £97 million contract to build these ferry services has been controversial and the first minister in her own words said it was the understatement of the decade to say the contractor has not gone as expected hope and the vessels 801802 are running five years late on as it stands, at least hundred and £50 million over budget. there is the wider backdrop of a damning audit scotland report which lists multiple failings and the bbc scotland disclosure with the suggestion the process might have been rigged and nicola sturgeon said the allegations in the programme are serious allegations and they need to be investigated and she said she was not aware of any impropriety and adjusted suggestions that a contract to build two new ferries was inappropriately steered towards the ferguson shipyard which was owned by

the businessmanjim mccall and told msps the businessmanjim mccall and told msps it the businessmanjim mccall and told msps it was categorically not the case that the bidding process was unfair. ii case that the bidding process was unfair. ., , ., , unfair. if there was an interest in the scottish _ unfair. if there was an interest in the scottish government - unfair. if there was an interest in the scottish government to - unfair. if there was an interest in | the scottish government to award that, _ the scottish government to award that, was— the scottish government to award that, was thatjobs the scottish government to award that, was that jobs for the boys? there _ that, was that jobs for the boys? there has— that, was that jobs for the boys? there has been talk between the scottish— there has been talk between the scottish government and jim mccall. if you _ scottish government and jim mccall. if you are _ scottish government and jim mccall. if you are saying there was anything untoward _ if you are saying there was anything untoward in— if you are saying there was anything untoward in the _ if you are saying there was anything untoward in the procurement - if you are saying there was anything. untoward in the procurement process to somehow— untoward in the procurement process to somehow inappropriately - untoward in the procurement process to somehow inappropriately steer- to somehow inappropriately steer this contract _ to somehow inappropriately steer this contract towards _ to somehow inappropriately steer this contract towards them, - this contract towards them, absolutely, _ this contract towards them, absolutely, categorically. this contract towards them, i absolutely, categorically not. this contract towards them, - absolutely, categorically not. she exressed absolutely, categorically not. expressed regret to the island communities affected by the delivery of the two ferries and the decisions are around the procurement of vessels or procurement or lack of and the scottish government support is matter of significant concern. speaking after the committee hearing the convener of the committee who is

richard leonard from labour said that the evidence of the committee confirmed there are still gaps in the information available to the public and said the first minister has made a commitment to seek to provide the information and that the committee is looking forward to receiving this.— receiving this. that was laura gordon talking _ receiving this. that was laura gordon talking to _ receiving this. that was laura gordon talking to me - receiving this. that was laura gordon talking to me earlier. | a gap in gp care between the richest and poorest parts of england has widened, according to research for bbc newsnight. people in less affluent areas on average develop chronic health conditions at a younger age and die earlier — yet they have fewer gps and a worse experience. newsnight�*s david grossman reports. blackpool is the poorest town in england. it has the lowest life expectancy in the country. and with that, multiple complex health needs. you might assume those challenges would mean more doctors and better care. but come to places like the revoe estate, and you'll hear the opposite. you're always encouraged — anything

that you suspect may be cancer. so i found a lump my lower back. it was painful. i phoned up my gp to get an appointment and they suggested it might be better to go to the walk—in centre because i'd get seen quicker. they offered me an appointment, but it was in three weeks' time. so they were great, but they did just pack me off with some painkillers. er... there was no access to a gp, there was no referral to anybody else. ijust sit there crying. i think, what's the point of trying to phone when no—one _ wants to help you? i rely on my volunteers... christina is a youth worker at the centre. she says local kids often come to her for medical advice. they come and tell us, like, "mum tried to make me a doctor's appointment for this, but we haven't been able to, so i don't know what it is, but it's worrying me. do you think it's this, this?" and they are quite worried about it, and that's kids... they ask you for a medical diagnosis? the uk's clearly gripped by a crisis in gp care right now, but research for newsnight suggests that that crisis is being felt even more acutely in areas like this that are already struggling with multiple deprivations. the figures suggest that places like blackpool have far fewer gps per head of population, and far lower levels

of satisfaction with their care. not only are there fewer gps offering fewer appointments, but the care as measured by the cqc, or care quality commission on average is of a lower standard. research suggests suggests patients correlates with less developed, as in the poorer the area is the lower they rate their care. surgeries are harder to reach on the phone, and when they get an appointment, patients in poor areas rate the experience lower than those in more affluent areas. newton drive health. centre, emily speaking. newton drive health centre in blackpool is rated as good by the care quality commission. knocking. come in! susan green is a gp and partner. she says criticism of gps — particularly the idea that they are being lazy or uncaring — is hard to listen to.

it is so devastating to be told that you're the problem. and you have to just say to yourself, "i know the reality of what i have done today. i know the reality that if i do crumble and i can't do this any more, that's another 80 appointments a week potentially lost." the pain of a struggling primary care sector isn't spread equally. places like blackpool have already suffered most. and what was really striking on our visit — no—one seemed to think that the stresses on the system were about to ease. david grossman, bbc news, blackpool. and for more on that story tune into newsnight, that's on bbc2 at 10.30 tonight the english national opera is among arts bodies in london which are losing their funding from arts council england. it's part of a programme to move money for cultural institutions out of the capital — new recipients will include libraries in barnsley, blackpool illuminations and a festival of thrift in redcar. with the details of a major shake up, here's our arts correspondent, david sillito.

english national opera. opera, sung in english, based in london and more than a third of its income comes from the arts council. it is now off the funding list. there will be a transitional grant to help it restructure and move, possibly to manchester, but it's a heavy blow. i was slightly surprised at the arts council would reduce funding to an organisation that has brought in young people and we give completely free tickets to under 21s on the only opera house and in the world that, and about 13% of the audience is people of colour, way ahead of other opera companies. the mayor of london says the capital is losing around £50 million in arts funding. but shakespeare north, a new theatre in prescott near saint helens, is one of dozens of organisations outside london receiving funding is for the first time.

we've invested so that as many people as possible in england can enjoy the very best of creativity. this means no matter where you live, whatever your background, you will have culture close to your home. blackpool illuminations will now receive funding. this shift, especially to the north has been driven by the government. it comes down to, i think, fairness, if you live in the northeast, northwest, why should you not be able to experience culture and why shouldn't your children be able to learn and get that creativity for a young age and be inspired to potentially go into these types of industries? so, less for opera and the high arts and more for towns like barnsley which is getting support for its libraries. ukraine's president zelensky has accused the kremlin of 'energy terrorism' to compensate for the failure of russian troops to gain significant ground on the frontline.

the ukranian leader said that 4.5 million people were without power — as winter sets in. in recent weeks, russia has carried out large—scale missile and drone attacks on ukrainian powerfacilities. so what is life like for those without power? our correspondent catherine byurahanga is in kiev. it's definitely getting more precarious for pedestrians here in kyiv. we are in the centre of town, and as you can see, it's almost pitch black and much of the light is coming from the car is out on the streets and people just have to be more careful moving around at night. there have been reports of people falling and hurting themselves as they try to move around in the dark,

and it's interesting being out on the streets and seeing people trying to do the things they would have done if the lights were on, so you have couple sat on benches talking, people walking their dogs and families out with their children. but, things are likely to get worse. it's likely to get colder, making life harderfor it's likely to get colder, making life harder for people it's likely to get colder, making life harderfor people in ukraine. borisjohnson did have enough support from mps to mount a challenge against rishi sunak for the conservative leadership. sir graham brady — who chairs the influential 1922 committee, revealed for the first time — he had just decided not to stand. sir graham also told north west today's political editor annabel tiffin what he said to liz truss just before she resigned as prime minister.

over the past few months, he's arguably been one of the most powerful people in politics. sir graham brady, tory mp for altrincham and sale west, chair of the 1922 committee and the man who sees off prime ministers. over the past three years he's had to that three times. what did you say to liz truss? well, i mean it was a much easier conversation than might have been the case. i was literallyjust reach for my phone to call don't restrict us to see her because i had come to the conclusion that things are unsustainable, when i got a message saying the prime minister had asked to see me. so when i went in to see her, with her chief of staff, she asked me the question. she said it's pretty bad, isn't it? to which i replied yes, it is pretty bad. she asked the second question, do you think it is a retrievable? and i said no i don't think so. and she replied that she didn't either. so i have the unique distinction of having had this conversation with three prime ministers now, in many ways it was the easiest and most

straight forward because she had come to the same conclusion. yes i was going to ask if it was as easy with boris johnson. well i saw him before he announced his resignation, he was at that point still determined to go on! and he mulled it over after that, and he called me over the next morning and said he had changed his mind. so i think at least the leaders i have dealt with have or trusted that i am giving that honest, faithful representation of the truth. after liz truss resigned after one of the most turbulent times in british politics, sir graham says he's ready for thing to finally settle down. the rise of a new christian right in the united states is having an impact on the campaign trail. a growing number of pastors and politicians are urging voters in the mid—term elections to take back the country for god — challenging the country's commitment to the separation of church and state. barbara plett usher reports.

in this divided nation, the christian right has found a new voice. this country belongs to god almighty. this isn't church service. hundreds of people are being baptised after a rally in pennsylvania, some overwhelmed by their experience of god. thousands have turned out because they believe their christian values are under attack and that god belongs in government. you cannot separate god from politics. you cannot take him out of our government. these events tap into people's anger about covid lockdowns and donald trump's election loss. the man himself dialled in while his son was on the stage. we love you all and we are going to bring this country back. our country has never been in such bad shape. they are reframing american conservative politics as spiritual warfare against the radical left.

chris and bobby foley have travelled from north carolina. they took away the bible, they took awayjesus in everything, and so now we are being run by devils, we are being run by satan because it is a spiritual war. some call this rise of the religious right christian nationalism, the belief that america was founded as a christian nation and should remain one. it has taken on a new intensity in this fractured political world, breaking covered during the storming of the capitol, where christian symbols and prayer were on display. good evening... greg locke was one of many pastors at the capitol that day. he has millions of followers on line and preaches to hundreds every week. you ain't seen the insurrection yet. he has managed to weave his political views into an apocalyptic worldview laced with conspiracy theories. you god—hating communists, you will

find out what an insurrection is, because we ain't playing your garbage! you are calling fellow americans evil, and putting it in the context of an apocalyptic battle between good and evil. there is an apocalyptic battle between... and so that is the kind of language that could be used to incite violence. that is not my responsibility. you don't see that as a responsibility, to stay away from possibly inciting violence? no, i am not inciting violence, i am preaching the bible. but many christians are fighting back against this interpretation of the bible. father, thank you for this day... pastor kevin riggs is a community activist. he believed scripture teaches that god cares most about social justice. my concern with the religious right has been that they are damaging the reputation of the church. i have had friends who are pastors at churches and because they spoke out against the religious right or against president trump, then they are asseting their church. next week's election will be the first test of this vocal minority at the polls. if the republicans wins big, it could become a powerfulforce pushing the party further to the right. barbara plett usher,

bbc news, pennsylvania. we will bejoining we will be joining christian and karthikeyan washington for coverage of the midterm elections, crucially important elections which might determine whether donald trump goes ahead with his promise that he made and repeated only last night that he is seriously contemplating entering the race to stand again, and there is also the question whether where joe dunne ——joe biden will announce that he will stand for a second term. prince william has announced the finalists for his global environment awards, the 'earthshot prize'. the aim is to find new and creative ideas that will help protect our planet for the future. five winners will each receive one—million—pounds to make their project a reality. our climate editor, justin rowlatt, has been to revisit two of last year's winners. prince william launched his

earthshot prize with a glamorous ceremony in london's alexandra palace last year. in the next ten years, we are going to act. we are going to find the solutions to repair our planet. there was a galaxy of stars in attendance. david attenborough was one of the judges. we don't have eternity. we need to do this now. the aim — to inspire a new generation of innovators. and you can see the results in the fronds of coral here in the bahamas. earthshot winner coral vita has developed systems for growing heat resistant corals to help restore the world's dying coral reefs. the goal would be to have coral vitas around the world, to go global with coral veta, because we've lost 50% of the world's reefs within the last decade. so this is a global issue, and reef restoration isn't something that's just exclusive to the bahamas.

another winner aims to try and clear the polluted air in india. takachar won for the burner they created, which converts leftover straw and other agricultural waste into fuel and fertiliser. the earthshot prize has really catapulted us from where we were and the resources that we had, and has given us access to so many networks and resources that can really enable us to scale up work, essentially, and increase the pace of our work. earthshot says it aims to build a library of solutions over the decade. the idea is others will be able to draw on the expertise winning project establish, to help us all tackle the planet's environmental problems. justin rowlatt, bbc news. 100 years ago today, archaeologists made one of the world's greatest discoveries — tutankhamun's 3,000—year—old tomb. robert hall explores why that breakthrough a century ago caused such a sensation.

33 centuries had passed i since human feet last trod the floor on which we stood. legend says it was spotted by a young egyptian — the buried staircase leading to what archaeologists still call the greatest find ever made. howard carter had spent over a decade looking for it. in a tiny tomb, we have everything from the royal court crammed in. we've got gold, jewellery, flowers, lunch boxes, underwear, clothes, sandals. we get a sense of the variety of material that survived from ancient egypt. news of the find was rushed here, to highclere castle — the story of tutankhamun is always linked with one name —

that of howard carter, the man who broke through that wall100 years ago. but carter wouldn't have been there at all without the passion and, perhaps more importantly, the finance of another egyptologist — this man, the 5th earl of carnarvon. the story sparked what became known as tutmania. from a few curious visitors, to the millions who viewed the wonders of the tomb at travelling exhibitions. i am sorry, there will be no more admission for the exhibition tonight. it is the last day, so we're going to put him to sleep now for another 3,000 years. and hanging in the air, the legend of a pharaoh's curse on those who dared to enter the tomb. the newspapers named five men as its victims — among them, lord carnarvon himself. like tutankhamun's interlocking coffins, there are many layers to this story. howard carter's successors are still finding new pieces of the jigsaw, still solving the mysteries which remain hidden in the valley of the kings. it was a bit nippy this morning when

it was a bit nippy this morning when i came in on the advice is to wrap up i came in on the advice is to wrap up warm and it makes me wonder if it will be good weather for mummies. how long did you think about that one? very good, sean. thank you very much. i am forecasting for mummies and daddies at the moment and it was and daddies at the moment and it was a lovely day and we had the frosty start and it will get chilly overnight tonight but the sun has set on what was a beautiful day but those temperatures are dropping away sharply, particularfor those temperatures are dropping away sharply, particular for the eastern side of the uk and towards the west kings are changing with a big area of low pressure in the atlantic and swelling around, and wrapped around the band of cloud is the weather front and ahead of it, we will find some showers pushing in off the irish sea and the showers retreat up the northern isles and then the band of cloud comes into the western areas and brings rain, but ahead of cloud comes into the western areas and brings rain, butahead in the east it might well be dry and these are the temperatures by the end of the night but if you want to

wrap up well in the early hours of the morning, temperatures across eastern parts of and could be close to freezing. a dry and chilly start but the rain in the west pushes east and we get some sunshine returning to northern ireland quickly and then in the afternoon following the rain, in the afternoon following the rain, in too much of scotland. many parts of england and wales it might stay cloudy and i'm not promising much in the way of rain as it will be quite patchy and light and may temperatures a degree higher today despite the cloud and temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees. bonfire night tomorrow night, there could be rain heading back to the south—east of england and even into the midlands and we have a few showers in the far north—west but for other areas it might be dry and clear skies as well. showers are coming into the north—west accompanied by strengthening winds around the area of low pressure which is getting closer and this weather front as it travels across england and wales stops in the south—east and gives us heavy rain overnight and that is still to clear away from south—eastern england on sunday morning. and even following from

that we have more rain and moving eastwards across england and wales, further north in scotland and northern ireland looks drier, fewer showers, more in the way of sunshine but the winds are strengthening and the temperature is not changing much for the second half of the weekend the temperature is not changing much for the second half of but it will get windy and the north—west around the area of low pressure and that tends to move away and more weather fronts approach from the atlantic, may be bringing more cloud and rain as we head into monday and the wetter weather moving northwards but the western side of the uk, and the winds ahead of the uk coming from a long way south, so temperatures will be higher to start the new week, may be 16 or 17 in the illegal uk drugs trade. much degrees but once the rain moves away, we will be a bit cooler on tuesday. this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines... the rmt suspends a series of rail strikes due to start tomorrow. the union says it will now enter fresh negotiations with train companies and network rail. the albanian gangs recruiting migrants to get some of them to work