hello. three hours of fast moving news, interviews and reaction. we start with a fierce heatwave gripping parts of europe and north—west africa with potential record—breaking temperatures in the coming days. it comes as the holiday season gets under way in the region. temperatures are expected to rise above a0 degrees celsius in parts of spain, france, greece, croatia and turkey. in italy temperatures could reach as high as nearly 49 degrees. a red alert warning has been issued for ten cities including florence and rome. the bbc�*s sofia bettiza is in rome. sofia, how hot is it in rome and how hot is it forecast to get?—

hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot _ hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot at — hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot at the _ hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot at the moment, - hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot at the moment, it. hot is it forecast to get? well, it is very hot at the moment, it is| is very hot at the moment, it is about 35 celsius in rome right now, and it is the middle ofjuly, as you can see there are a lot of tourists who visit italy at this time of the year, and in the last few days, several tourists have collapsed here in rome because of heat stroke. one tourist for example from the uk passed out in front of the colosseum. this heatwave has been given a name, the name of a 3—headed monster which features in dantes inferno, and it is a very powerful heatwave that could cause temperatures as you mentioned just now to reach 48.8 celsius. and that could break a record, a record for the hottest temperature ever to be recorded in europe. but as you said, this is notjust happening in italy, it is happening across several

european countries, france, germany, spain, for example, is already recording its second heatwave. in greece we have seen temperatures of 44 celsius and some of the most famous archaeological sites are going to be closed for the next few daysin going to be closed for the next few days in the hot temperatures. authorities here are urging people to take this very seriously because heatwaves like this one can be quite dangerous for people's health. find dangerous for people's health. and when heatwaves happen in the uk we haveissues when heatwaves happen in the uk we have issues with the infrastructure, with things not working, because they have not been built to withstand that level of heat, is that the case in italy, do you have trains not running, roads melting? i would say that italy is a country which is in southern europe so it is a bit more prepared, so, there was of problems have not been seen yet.

but that doesn't mean that there are not dangers that come with the extreme weather. i mean, extreme weather like this can kill, it can cause heatstroke, it can cause existing conditions like respiratory diseases to get much worse. and so the italian health ministry has issued some guidelines about how to deal with the heat. they are urging people to stay indoors from 12 to six, to avoid exercise during the day. as you said earlier, to drink plenty of water, to avoid alcohol and coffee and to avoid heavy food, so, try and stay away from your pizza or your carbonara. they are also asking people to check on their elderly neighbours who live alone. because it is elderly people and young children who are particularly at risk. ., �* ., ., at risk. sofia bettiza in rome, thank you _ at risk. sofia bettiza in rome, thank you very _ at risk. sofia bettiza in rome, thank you very much - at risk. sofia bettiza in rome,

thank you very much indeed. l dangerously hot temperatures are also predicted in areas of the us as a heat dome intensifies and remains parked over those regions. heat alerts are in effect for millions of people. is this heat builds across the south—west of the us we are looking at potential daily records of high temperatures being broken, from california, arizona, all the way into west texas. so, it is a really significant expansion of the heat, and daily records could be broken and daily records could be broken and it looks like the peak of the heat will be coming on friday through next monday, and that is when a lot of records will be in jeopardy. we when a lot of records will be in 'eoard . ~ .., when a lot of records will be in 'eoard . ~ ., when a lot of records will be in jeepardy-_ when a lot of records will be in 'eoard . ~ ., ., ., ., jeopardy. we can go live now to our climate science _ jeopardy. we can go live now to our climate science reporter— jeopardy. we can go live now to our climate science reporter who - jeopardy. we can go live now to our climate science reporter who has i climate science reporter who has been tracking the heatwave for us and joins us now. cue forjoining us. let me ask you first of all, where talking about southern europe, and the us, this looks like unusual

weather patterns which are happening in quite a few places at the moment? yes, exactly, it is notjust in europe and the us, we are seeing heatwave warnings in china, there was a very serious heatwave there last week, temperatures of 40, also high temperatures in north africa, again reaching 40, and as you said, this morning across the us, the record in las vegas could be broken and there is also science that the water off the coast of florida could be warming as heat builds up in the oceans perhaps even to the temperatures we normally see in hot tub. we are also seeing signs of the other extreme, very serious rainfall in india with the monsoon rains and above—average rainfall causing serious problems in delhi today. jorginho some people may be saying, it is the summer, it gets hot, how do we know that this level of heat and these patterns are linked to climate change? i and these patterns are linked to climate change?— and these patterns are linked to climate change? and these patterns are linked to climate chance? ~ ., ., climate change? i think you have got to talk about — climate change? i think you have got to talk about two _ climate change? i think you have got to talk about two things. _

climate change? i think you have got to talk about two things. we - climate change? i think you have got to talk about two things. we need i climate change? i think you have got to talk about two things. we need to j to talk about two things. we need to talk about climate change, that is of course greenhouse gas emissions when we burn coal and oil and gas and they are pushing up global temperatures. i think scientists do say that climate change is linked to more extreme and more frequent heatwaves. what i would say is that for these heatwaves specifically, scientists have not yet had the time or the evidence to quantifyjust how much climate change has caused these but if you look at the record—breaking temperatures in the uk last month, injune we had the warmest average temperatures for june, rapid studies done by climate scientists show that climate change makes those record—breaking temperatures more than twice as likely. but there is also another phenomenon going on which i'm sure you have talked about before called el ni o, and this is the most powerful naturally occurring climate situation on the planet, which happens when warm waters in the tropical pacific rise to the surface and that causes heat to go into the atmosphere which raises temperatures

globally and the scientists said that that phenomena started injune, it happens every 2—7 years, but that leads to higher globals temperatures and they say that that could cause neck year to be a record—breaking year, but they have said that that phenomenon is really onlyjust being declared so we are not seeing the most powerful effects of it yet and el ni o does not tend to affect europe as much. el ni 0 does not tend to affect europe as much.— el ni 0 does not tend to affect europe as much. really interesting to talk to you. _ europe as much. really interesting to talk to you, thank _ europe as much. really interesting to talk to you, thank you _ europe as much. really interesting to talk to you, thank you very - europe as much. really interesting | to talk to you, thank you very much indeed. junior doctors in england have begun a five—day strike this morning in a major escalation of their pay dispute with the government. downing street said the latest walkout by members of the british medical association would put patient safety at risk while the union has urged ministers to follow the example of scotland and produce what it calls a "credible" offer. our correspondent simonjones has been out on the picket line. simon, how much disruption is being

caused to nhs services today because of this abstract?— of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning _ of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it — of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it is _ of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it is going _ of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it is going to - of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it is going to be - of this abstract? hospital bosses are warning it is going to be a i of this abstract? hospital bosses i are warning it is going to be a very difficult time for patients over the next five days. this strike is now entering its sixth hour but it is due to last a total of 120 hours. you can see one of the picket lines behind me, people having a bit of a singsong, some songs that you may well know but the lyrics are being changed to make lots of references to fair pay and the health secretary for england steve barclay. during the course of the morning, we have seen various people coming past and actually clapping the striking junior doctors, giving them their support, and we have also had cars going past honking their horns, but this is a very divisive dispute, and as well as the picket line here at the entrance to the hospital, there is a sign up telling patients that

at the moment, over the next five days, people will only get treated in the emergency department if they are in a genuinely life—threatening scenario. so, that is the type of disruption that we are expecting during the next five days. during the last ofjunior doctors on strike, which lasted three days, more than 100,000 appointments were postponed because the nhs in england. —— across the nhs in england. —— across the nhs in england. so, the warning is that this is going to be pretty disruptive, but the junior doctors feel they are justified in doing this, they say they have to do this to make their cause known, because the pay increases being offered by the pay increases being offered by the government they say simply does not reflect the cost of living. government saying at 35%, pay increase demanded by the junior doctors, simply is not realistic. i5 doctors, simply is not realistic. is there a feeling that the government may start to engage with junior doctors because there has been a

complaint from their side that the government has not been engaging with them? you government has not been engaging with them? ., ., ., , , with them? you get a real sense here, this _ with them? you get a real sense here. this is _ with them? you get a real sense here, this is the _ with them? you get a real sense here, this is the fourth - with them? you get a real sense here, this is the fourth time i with them? you get a real sense here, this is the fourth time that thejunior here, this is the fourth time that the junior doctors here, this is the fourth time that thejunior doctors have here, this is the fourth time that the junior doctors have walked here, this is the fourth time that thejunior doctors have walked out in england, that there is very little really bringing the sides together. because there were no talks leading up to the strikes taking place this week. the government is saying for talks to resume, thejunior government is saying for talks to resume, the junior doctors government is saying for talks to resume, thejunior doctors have to call off any strike action and make a reasonable pay demand. junior doctors are saying for talks to resume, the government has to make a decent pay demand and they are saying, why should we call off strike action, that is not how industrial action works? so, you really get a sense that these two sides remained very far apart. we are due to hear shortly from the independent body which recommends what sort of pay increase people in the public sector should get, it is thought they will recommend junior doctors could get 6% to 6.5% in the coming year. but speaking to people here today, they say that simply would not be enough and would go no way towards ending this dispute.

simonjones, thank you very much indeed. the everton footballer dele alli has been praised for his bravery after he revealed he was sexually abused as a child. in an emotional interview he said he had been molested as a six—year—old and was dealing drugs at the age of eight. he also spoke about alcohol problems, sleeping pill addiction and struggles with mental health. dele alli was one of english football's brightest young talents, he played in the world cup semifinal for england and in the champions league finalfor tottenham. the bbc is restarting its investigation into the conduct of its highest—paid news presenter huw edwards. london's metropolitan police have said they found no evidence of a criminal offence following allegations that he paid a young person for explicit photos. his wife said he is being treated in hospitalfor serious mental health issues.

tonight at ten, we are live in downing street... huw edwards, the face of bbc news, named as the presenter at the centre of the scandal. for decades, a familiar face on our televisions, guiding us through national events. after days of intense speculation, it was his wife, vicky flind, who identified her husband. in a statement, she said... just a few minutes before her statement, the metropolitan police announced they had found no evidence of a criminal offence and there would be no further action. they had been looking into an allegation published by the sun newspaper that huw edwards had paid a young person

£35,000 for sexually explicit images whilst they were under the age of 18, which would have been illegal. the bbc will now restart its internal investigation. the sun newspaper says it has no plans to publish further allegations against huw edwards. but some are questioning its decision to publish the original story, as the young person involved has said the allegations are rubbish. he has severe mental health problems and it's not a matter of the bbc dropping this case. the bbc will now begin to investigate this, take the time to do it effectively and really... and come up with conclusions when they have done so. but there may still be repercussions for huw edwards. last night a bbc staff member told bbc news they had received inappropriate and suggestive messages from the presenter. and another employee, and a third person who has left the corporation, also say they had communication from him which made them

feel uncomfortable. the statement by the wife of huw edwards brings to a close the frenzied speculation on the identity of the presenter. but there remains many questions still to be answered by all involved. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. nathan teamed up with peterborough city council to change what was derelict into something pleasant for everyone to enjoy. derelict into something pleasant for everyone to enjoy-— derelict into something pleasant for everyone to enjoy. everyone to en'oy. people coming by could see everyone to en'oy. people coming by could in — everyone to enjoy. people coming by could see in the _ everyone to enjoy. people coming by could see in the distance _ everyone to enjoy. people coming by could see in the distance that - could see in the distance that something was there and they said, it's really intriguing because you can see something colourful and people are drawn to it. it’s can see something colourful and people are drawn to it. it's about --eole people are drawn to it. it's about people coming — people are drawn to it. it's about people coming down _ people are drawn to it. it's about people coming down here - people are drawn to it. it's about people coming down here and i people are drawn to it. it's about i people coming down here and enjoying it, people coming down here and enjoying it. enjoy— people coming down here and enjoying it. enjoy it. _ people coming down here and enjoying it, enjoy it, life is too short, come — it, enjoy it, life is too short, come and _ it, enjoy it, life is too short, come and see how beautiful peterborough is. his come and see how beautiful peterborough is.— come and see how beautiful peterborough is. his latest mural hiuuhlihts peterborough is. his latest mural highlights spooky _ peterborough is. his latest mural highlights spooky local _ peterborough is. his latest mural| highlights spooky local landmarks peterborough is. his latest mural i highlights spooky local landmarks in the city. the last to go up will be

peterborough cathedral. so far he is happy with how it has turned out. i stand in front of it and ijust paint and i stand in front of it and ijust paintand i am in my own stand in front of it and ijust paint and i am in my own little world, and then people say, it looks really nice. world, and then people say, it looks reall nice. . . world, and then people say, it looks reall nice. ., ., ., , world, and then people say, it looks really nice-— world, and then people say, it looks really nice. nathan has been putting in the work to _ really nice. nathan has been putting in the work to make _ really nice. nathan has been putting in the work to make sure _ really nice. nathan has been putting in the work to make sure the - really nice. nathan has been putting | in the work to make sure the designs come out perfectly and he intends for it to be fully completed by the end of the week, as long as there is dry weather. for more stories from across uk, head to the bbc news website. you are live with me, maryam moshiri on bbc news. some breaking news from thailand, where the reformist winner of elections in may has failed to win enough support in parliament to become the neck prime minister. peter led a progressive coalition with the majority of seats in the lower house but a form of government he needed to form a government he needed endorsement from members of the unelected senate where members either abstained or voted against

him. —— pita limjaroenrat. our south—east asia jonathan head is in bangkok. can you explain for viewers who may not know, how exactly the process works and what this means now? ~ , ., . ., process works and what this means now? ., now? well, you can probably hear behind me — now? well, you can probably hear behind me there _ now? well, you can probably hear behind me there are _ now? well, you can probably hear behind me there are a _ now? well, you can probably hear behind me there are a lot - now? well, you can probably hear behind me there are a lot of i now? well, you can probably hear behind me there are a lot of veryl behind me there are a lot of very angry speeches being made here at a little parkjust outside parliament, where supporters of move forward, they reformist party which did so well in the election, gathered to listen to the votes as they were counted one by one and of course they are bitterly disappointed, although this result was not that much of a surprise. thailand has a constitution that was written by a military government, a military government in the past that was devoted to protecting things, particularly the monarchy and keeping things as they are. there was conservative forces around the monarchy were very uncomfortable with the idea of a reformist government, particularly because move forward had zeroed in on the defamation law, where people go to prison for years for criticising the

royal family, they wanted to amend that, and during this debate we have heard today, lots of conservative mps stood up and said that is unacceptable. unsurprisingly, this appointed senate, 249 of them, that was put there by the military as a kind of check on any kind of elected government, almost all of them failed to support this young charismatic leader to be prime minister. so, we have a kind of stalemate, a population that has voted for change and for this reformist, addition, but forces that are instilled into the constitution here, which have been able to block him, and thailand is left in something of a state of political paralysis. something of a state of political aral sis. �* , , ., ., paralysis. and 'ust explain to us what happens — paralysis. and just explain to us what happens next, _ paralysis. and just explain to us what happens next, jonathan? l paralysis. and just explain to us i what happens next, jonathan? well, there will be — what happens next, jonathan? well, there will be another— what happens next, jonathan? well, there will be another vote _ what happens next, jonathan? -ii there will be another vote next week but i think that is more or less just going through the motions because it is clear that this reformist coalition is not going to get enough senators on board. after that, thailand needs a government, there will be a compromise, there

will be candidates, we will end up with a government probably in the next month or two, but it will be a long way from what people hope for when they voted, as many people have said to me down here today, they say, what is the point of having an election if what we vote for does not get represented, we don't get the government we voted for? you can hear the anger of people here. and i think it is very dangerous for thailand in particular because the monarchy was the reason that was used to block this reformist coalition from coming to power. the monarchy has always been kept out of politics, today, the monarchy was the very centre of the discussion about who should form the next government. about who should form the next government-— about who should form the next covernment. , ., ., ., ., ., ~ , ., government. jonathan head, thank you ve much government. jonathan head, thank you very much indeed. _ the defence case in the sex offences trial of oscar—winning actor kevin spacey has begun. prosecutors concluded their evidence against the hollywood star on wednesday after a jury panel heard accounts from his four alleged victims. the defendant was labelled a "sexual bully". kevin spacey denies the charges. live now to greg mackenzie outside

southwark crown court in london. greg, tell us what happened in court today. greg, tell us what happened in court toda . ~ , ., ., greg, tell us what happened in court toda .~ , ., ., today. well, the 63-year-old has been testifying — today. well, the 63-year-old has been testifying for _ today. well, the 63-year-old has been testifying for the _ today. well, the 63-year-old has been testifying for the first i today. well, the 63-year-old has been testifying for the first time | been testifying for the first time in his trial, the trial opened on the 30th ofjune, and to date is the first time we have heard from the actor in person. he has been asked about events that took place over the years, with these four men that have accused the actor of sexual assault, four individuals who were not known to each other, who all claim that they were assaulted by the actor between 2001 and 2013. so, today in court they are going through each of those allegations. the 12 counts and the four individuals. kevin spacey said that he felt crushed 20 years later and stabbed in the back by the driver who used to work for the actor. he went on to tell the court that there

was a romantic connection, somewhat sexual, but admitted in open court that he never had sex with the individual, it never went further. asked by his defence barrister if he had grabbed the driver so hard that he almost came off the road, kevin spacey replied, no, that did not happen. asked if maybe it took place in 2001, 2002, 2003 or 2004, kevin spacey replied, i was not in a suicide mission during any of these years. the actor aged 63 denies all 12 counts against him and the trial continues. , . ~ 12 counts against him and the trial continues. , ., ,, , ., , 12 counts against him and the trial continues. , . ~' , ., , . continues. greg, thank you very much indeed, continues. greg, thank you very much indeed. greg — continues. greg, thank you very much indeed, greg mckenzie, _ continues. greg, thank you very much indeed, greg mckenzie, outside i indeed, greg mckenzie, outside court. let's go live now and take you to a meeting in helsinki, the finnish capital, i think if we go full frame, it might work a bit

better, potentially. ok, iwanted to take you to that meeting, we can't really see it very well but what it is is joe really see it very well but what it is isjoe biden meeting... that's better. a group of nordic leaders, including the finnish prime minister. over the last few weeks, mr biden has been busy, a two—day meeting at nato, in little when you are, and today he is meeting finland, sweden, norway, iceland and denmark, the countries with whom he is discussing things, issues like ukraine and russia. 50. is discussing things, issues like ukraine and russia.— is discussing things, issues like ukraine and russia. so, why don't we let ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? — ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? it _ ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? it is _ ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? it is good _ ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? it is good to _ ukraine and russia. so, why don't we get started? it is good to be - get started? it is good to be back in finland- _ get started? it is good to be back in finland- it— get started? it is good to be back in finland. it is— get started? it is good to be back in finland. it is good _ get started? it is good to be back in finland. it is good to _ get started? it is good to be back in finland. it is good to be i get started? it is good to be back in finland. it is good to be back. get started? it is good to be back| in finland. it is good to be back in finland with all of you, and we just finished an historic nato summit and i think it was historic, where we

welcomed finland's succession to nato and recent agreement to move forward on sweden's membership in nato and it was a reminder that the nations around the table not only share common history but we share common challenges. i would add presumptuously common values. and the vision for the world that we all share, and i think it's a very similar vision, share, and i think it's a very similarvision, is share, and i think it's a very similar vision, is one that is more free, more secure, and opportunities made available for all. because we know that when other countries do better, we all do better. we are working together on the climate, in order to literally preserve our planet, it is the existential threat humanity faces, and we don't have a lot of time, and i am confident in if we continue to work together, we can deal with it.—

can deal with it. president biden talkin: can deal with it. president biden talking about — can deal with it. president biden talking about the _ can deal with it. president biden talking about the climate, i can deal with it. president biden talking about the climate, and i can deal with it. president biden i talking about the climate, and that was the focus of his talks with king charles, and the focus of many world leaders right now. at the moment we are seeing heatwaves affecting many parts of the world. southern europe, the us, it is called a heat dome, i think and it traps warm air and it is parked right over certain regions of north america which is really causing issues for people. one of the worst areas affected is phoenix, arizona, we can go live there now to our cbs news correspondent omar villafranca. festival if you can give us an idea of how hot it is where you are and how hot it is accepted to get?— accepted to get? well, good afternoon. _ accepted to get? well, good afternoon, it _ accepted to get? well, good afternoon, it is _ accepted to get? well, good afternoon, it is morning i accepted to get? well, good. afternoon, it is morning here, roughly 4am, and usually this is the coolest part of the day but right now we are at 33 celsius. in the us thatis

now we are at 33 celsius. in the us that is 90 degrees, that is the low temperature, and that is still very hot. we have had 13 consecutive days where the temperature reaches at least 43 celsius, that is not even a record, the record is 18 consecutive days and it looks like we are going to break that record. but what we are keeping an eye on as it comes out to the west, you mentioned that pete dunne, which is moving around, they are looking at a possible 48 celsius in california and also parts of arizona. so, brutal heat, that is the only way to describe it. absolutely. how unusual is this temperature where you are phoenix, arizona or anywhere in the us? weill. arizona or anywhere in the us? well, for phoenix. — arizona or anywhere in the us? well, for phoenix, this _ arizona or anywhere in the us? well, for phoenix, this is _ arizona or anywhere in the us? well, for phoenix, this is about _ arizona or anywhere in the us? -ii for phoenix, this is about right, what is jawdropping is the consecutive days where you're reaching those triple digit temperatures in fahrenheit. 43 celsius, hitting that mark, for that many days in a row, when you get warm temperatures even in the

coolest part of the day, it is brutal. people are going out to get their morning workout in right now because if you try to do it in the heat of the day, you risk exhaustion or heat stroke. stay in during the hottest part of the day because it is dangerous. hottest part of the day because it is dangerous-— is dangerous. omar villafranca, thank you _ is dangerous. omar villafranca, thank you very _ is dangerous. omar villafranca, thank you very much _ is dangerous. omar villafranca, thank you very much for - is dangerous. omar villafranca, thank you very much forjoining| is dangerous. omar villafranca, i thank you very much forjoining us. stay without on bbc news, i will be backin stay without on bbc news, i will be back in a couple of minutes. hello again. we are in for another day of sunshine and showers, with the showers fewer and further between compared to recent days and lighter winds as well. the heaviest showers are likely to be across the north of scotland, where they could be where they could be potentially thundery, we could catch a shower potentially anywhere but most of us will have a dry day, with sunny skies.

by the end of the afternoon there will be more cloud gathering across south—west england, wales and northern ireland which will produce some rain as it continues to advance northwards and eastwards by the end of the night we will have heavy rain and strengthening winds across the far south—west. under clear skies in the highlands, temperatures could fall away as low as 5 degrees. tomorrow this is the low pressure that will be bringing us the heaviest rain and the strong winds. it is pushing northwards and eastwards during the day, and this front will continue to move north, but it is notjust rain in the south—west, it is also strong winds, gusting to gale force around the coasts and you can expect some choppy seas as well. this rain pushes northwards and eastwards through the course of the day. we've got our first weather front moving northwards across scotland, a drier interlude in between, the timing of this rain could change. at the moment we don't expect it to get into east anglia and the south—east

until later in the day but it might come in a bit faster or a bit slower so that is something to watch. moving into the weekend we are looking at unseasonably windy conditions, some thundery downpours and it is going to stay cool. low pressure continuing to drift northwards and eastwards, in the centre of it we have got light winds but around it, the winds will be strong, touching gale force again across the north of scotland and also south—western areas for saturday will be an unsettled and windy day, windy wherever you are, we have got rain pushing across the north of scotland but all around this area of low pressure we have got some heavy showers and some of those will also be found. these are our temperatures, 15 in the north to about 22 as we sweep down towards the south. heading into sunday, again it's going to be windy everywhere, there will be some showers or rain, mostly in the north and west.

announcement welcome to bbc news. we are waiting for an announcement from the chancellor and the prime minister. this is concerning their decision on this year's public pay rise. that announcement be coming shortly i do believe it's coming in the commons. let's just check if that