live from london, dozens of cities in southern europe remain on red alert — continent.soaring temperatures are impacting countries across southern europe — and are expected to break records next week. a call for disposable vapes to be

banned from sale in england and wales by next year. and the tunisian tennis star hoping to make it a double in the history books — by winning a grand slam title in today's wimbledon final. hello i'm lukwesa burak. welcome to bbc news. huge swathes of the northern hemisphere spanning europe, north america and asia are baking in unprecedented heatwaves. in europe, several areas of italy have issued red alert warnings and in greece — authorities have warned about a greater risk of fires. our correspondent, louisa pilbeam, has the latest. as temperatures rise across europe, so do concerns for people's health. in athens, greece's most popular attraction, the acropolis, is being closed during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.

yeah, the sun is very strong right now. it's a bit dangerous, it feels like. but for many tourists, once in a lifetime sites are worth the risk. don't know if i'll ever be back. so we have to take advantage of the day. greek medics have dealt with people falling ill in the heat and the greek red cross has maintained a presence. and experts are warning the heat is deadly. in croatia, this man lost his home to wildfires breaking out across the west coast of the country. all this in the context of 60,000 lives lost in europe's heatwave last year, and another heat wave on its way next week that could bring the continent's

hottest ever temperatures. at the hottest part of the day as the heat continues to rise. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. spain, where i am, is one of several countries of southern europe that has seen unusually high temperatures over recent days. although that heatwave is starting to taper off here in spain, other countries are still seeing very high temperatures. for example, in italy and greece, where the acropolis monument has been closed down temporarily as that hottest times of the day, because of concerns about the health of people hottest times of the day, because of concerr it. bout the health of people hottest times of the day, because of concerr it. there 1e health of people hottest times of the day, because of concerr it. there have alth of people hottest times of the day, because of concerr it. there have also of people hottest times of the day, because of concerr it. there have also beeniple visiting it. there have also been wildfires in greece, caused by the visiting it. there have also been will and . in greece, caused by the visiting it. there have also been will and dry greece, caused by the visiting it. there have also been will and dry conditions. sed by the visiting it. there have also been will and dry conditions. wildfires e visiting it. there have also been will and dry conditions. wildfires as hot and dry conditions. wildfires as well on the dalmatian coast in

croatia. this particular heatwave is expected to end during this weekend, or by the end of the weekend. however, there is another heatwave due to hit parts of europe at the beginning of next week, and the european space agency has warned that spain, france, germany, poland and italy are among the countries that could see extremely high temperatures, and areas of italy, for example, we are told they could see temperatures as high for example, we are told they could see tem celsius as as high for example, we are told they could see tem celsius on is high for example, we are told they could see tem celsius on tuesday. meanwhile, in south korea, the army has been called in to help rescue efforts, after deadly floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain. at least 2a people have died and ten others are missing. crops and roads have been swept away. most trains have been suspended and 13 cities have reported electricity blackouts. south korea is used to heavy rains

in the monsoon season, but over the last few years, these have become more intense as a result of rising temperatures. for more on this, we can speak now to our reporter david 0h, who is in seoul. david, lovely to have you. how is the situation at the moment? figs david, lovely to have you. how is the situation at the moment? as you mentioned. — the situation at the moment? as you mentioned, heavy _ the situation at the moment? as you mentioned, heavy rain _ the situation at the moment? as you mentioned, heavy rain has _ the situation at the moment? as you mentioned, heavy rain has continued throughout this weekend in south korea, and especially in central and southern parts of korea. there will be up to 100 millimetres per hour of torrential rains, and that is a significant number, especially given it is occurring in certain parts of the region. this morning, about five houses collapsed into a landslide, in a province about 200 kilometres to the south of the capital. i am checking the numbers, and i see this as growing quite quickly, and i

don't have quite yet, according to the south korean authorities, more than 28 people have died, and nine are still missing. this is caused by these heavy rains. it looks like the weather forecast says more heavy rain will be coming this weekend, and possibly next week. it makes it difficult for the rescue operation to find the missing people. we often hear about flooding _ to find the missing people. we often hear about flooding incidents - to find the missing people. we often hear about flooding incidents like - hear about flooding incidents like this, brought on by unprecedented rainfall, and it is often exacerbated by firstly, the physical geography, being where the rain is falling, and secondly, materials also that the homes are built from. where this rain and flooding is taking place, is any of that relevant? are any of those factors relevant? are any of those factors relevant? it relevant? are any of those factors relevant? , , . ., ., relevant? it is difficult to say at the moment. — relevant? it is difficult to say at the moment, whether- relevant? it is difficult to say at the moment, whether it- relevant? it is difficult to say at the moment, whether it is- relevant? it is difficult to say at i the moment, whether it is linked, too as you mentioned, certain factors. but this week, the heavy

rain has continued for at least five days. this is quite unusual. first of all, the timing of the rains became quicker, and to be that in summertime, south korea is expecting to have the monsoon season, having torrential rains, but this time, it came a bit earlier than expected. so, it is quite difficult to say, but there are still some quite cyclical warnings coming in, and it should be unsettled for south korean authorities. we should be unsettled for south korean authorities. ~ , ., , ., authorities. we spoke to you earlier, and _ authorities. we spoke to you earlier, and you _ authorities. we spoke to you earlier, and you said - authorities. we spoke to you earlier, and you said it - authorities. we spoke to you earlier, and you said it is - earlier, and you said it is difficult to attribute this specifically to climate change. in general, the south korean government, what have they done to mitigate events like this? what is their approach to climatic change incidents like flooding, excessive heat? ., , ., incidents like flooding, excessive heat? ., , heat? the last two years, the civilian casualties _ heat? the last two years, the civilian casualties caused - heat? the last two years, the civilian casualties caused by l heat? the last two years, the - civilian casualties caused by heavy rains and floods, so city

governments have set up a plan to help, especially the houses, where there are some underground houses. i'm not sure of the figures, but there is a significant number of houses that are underground houses, with underground rooms, especially for young people who don't have enough money to find other houses. they have set up a plan to help these youngsters to find resettlement. it is likely that this type of rain in this we didn't cause many damage in the capital, but we are not sure it is coming to seoul or other areas, are not sure it is coming to seoul or otherareas, causing are not sure it is coming to seoul or other areas, causing other casualties, it is difficult to say at the moment.— casualties, it is difficult to say at the moment. live from seoul, david there- _ at the moment. live from seoul, david there. thank _ at the moment. live from seoul, david there. thank you. -

here in the uk, there's a call to for disposable vapes to be banned by next year. local councils in england and wales want the devices to be outlawed saying they cause litter problems, are a fire hazard and appeal too strongly to children. but the uk vaping industry association says disposable vapes help smokers quit, and can be recycled. live now to professor nick hopkinson, who teaches respiratory medicine at imperial college. welcome to the programme. respiratory issues and vapes, what are they? respiratory issues and vapes, what are the ? ., ., , are they? there are two very important — are they? there are two very important things _ are they? there are two very important things to - are they? there are two very important things to say - are they? there are two very| important things to say about are they? there are two very - important things to say about the vaping. first is that there is absolute consensus it is much safer than smoking, so anyone who is smoking, who switches completely across to vaping is a different and much safer source of nicotine will be doing their own health an enormous favour and reduce the risk

of premature death and disability, so there are still 6 million people who smoke, and we know that two out of three people who continue to smoke will die from smoking related disease. so anyone out there who is a smoker, who was concerned about this, definitely, switching to vaping is a huge step forward. having said that, no serious commentator would describe a thing is completely safe, so the advice to people who do switch across is that they should try in due course to critter vaping as well, although obviously not at the expense of going back to smoking. —— too quick to vaping. indie going back to smoking. -- too quick to vain. ~ ., going back to smoking. -- too quick tovain~.~ . ., going back to smoking. -- too quick tovain-.~ . ., to vaping. we have heard some horrific stories _ to vaping. we have heard some horrific stories with _ to vaping. we have heard some horrific stories with teenagers, | horrific stories with teenagers, because it appeals to the younger generation, and they basically have respiratory failure. in those cases, what actually happens to their lungs? what actually happens to their lun . s? ., ., what actually happens to their lunas? ., ., ., lungs? together with what i have said about smokers, _ lungs? together with what i have said about smokers, the - lungs? together with what i have said about smokers, the other. lungs? together with what i have i said about smokers, the other sort of key issue is that we don't want

young people to be taking up this habit. again, it is much less helpful to children than smoking is, —— harmful. 0ne helpful to children than smoking is, —— harmful. one issue is that it may be causing irritation to the lungs, and aggravating issues like asthma in the short and longer term. the other problem is that there are these sort of rare allergic type reactions that have been described, associated with vaping. there are strong reasons to want the government to take action to deal with youth vaping, and there are a whole series of policy measures that would achieve that. probably, the main one would be to make vaping much less affordable. we know what we did in order to stop children from smoking, and to cut down on the smoking rates, and the same things would work for vaping too, around

the affordability, in terms of appeal and access. putting a £5 excise tax on disposable vapes, as well as making them more expensive than the reusable ones would also drink within the hmrc�*s excise and control regime, so there would be resources and other measures that would bring hmrc, border force, trading standards together to actually control the legal imports and to really get this problem under control. just and to really get this problem under control. , , . and to really get this problem under control, , . control. just looking at the ingredients, _ control. just looking at the ingredients, this _ control. just looking at the ingredients, this is - control. just looking at the ingredients, this is one - control. just looking at the ingredients, this is one of| control. just looking at the i ingredients, this is one of the issues. it has been reported that particularly with the more illegal vapes entering the uk, we are talking about high levels of lead, of nickel, of chromium. is that only within the illegal tapes, or has research shown that you do find those in the more legal vapes, that are being sold? is there anyway to

regulate that?— regulate that? yes, so the vapes that are sold _ regulate that? yes, so the vapes that are sold legally _ regulate that? yes, so the vapes that are sold legally in _ regulate that? yes, so the vapes that are sold legally in this - that are sold legally in this country are regulated. the problem at the moment is that there is a lack of enforcement, so that the country is being flooded with illegal products as well, which have a much higher nicotine levels, and are not manufactured to the same standards. so, what we need as practical measures to bring that under control. when we are talking about bands, the first thing to say is that we are talking about banning a product that is already illegal, so what we need is mechanisms that actually have resources behind them. but as well as taxing them, i think it is absolutely clear that they are being marketed in a way that is appealing to children, and it is enormously disappointing that back in 2021, the government voted down amendments to its health and social care bill, which would have given

the government the power to regulate vaping, as well as prevent them from giving away free samples. the government does need to act on this, and the key thing is to make these products more expensive within the excise control regime, so they are not easily and cheaply available to children. it not easily and cheaply available to children. , ., ., children. it is often the tough messaue children. it is often the tough message that _ children. it is often the tough message that gets _ children. it is often the tough message that gets across, i children. it is often the tough | message that gets across, and children. it is often the tough - message that gets across, and you have spoken about some of the policy that needs to be followed. i want to get your medical view now. lead, nickel, and chromium, what does that actually do to that your insides? why are they illegal? 50. actually do to that your insides? why are they illegal?— why are they illegal? so, those chemicals _ why are they illegal? so, those chemicals and _ why are they illegal? so, those chemicals and their— why are they illegal? so, those chemicals and their presence i why are they illegal? so, those chemicals and their presence in i chemicals and their presence in illicit vapes, and also, it should be said in a high levels of cigarette smoke, i think they can trigger inflammation in the lungs, and they pass into the bloodstream, and they pass into the bloodstream, and can aggravate inflammation or blood vessels. so, long term exposure to those increases risk of cardiovascular disease, for example.

these materials that are toxic, we don't want children bring reading the men, and all lungs should be breathing clean air. —— we don't want children breeding them in. the key thing though is to make vaping something that is an affordable, accessible or appealing to children. thank you for your time. a police investigation into the deaths of two people off bournemouth beach in may has concluded there were no criminal offences. twelve—year—old sunnah khan, and seventeen—year—old joe abbess both drowned. detectives had investigated whether a sightseeing boat created a riptide. a man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter will face no action. the bbc says a protest by thejust stop 0il group at the first night of the proms did not disrupt either the concert, or the broadcast of the performance. two people briefly climbed onto the stage, and were booed and jeered by some

members of the audience, before being led away by security staff. the south korean president yoon suk yeol is in the ukrainian capital, kyiv, to meet president zelensky. south korea has one of the biggest stockpiles of ammunition in the world and a thriving defence industry. but government policy prohibits it providing lethal aid to countries at war. ukraine and its allies have been urging seoul to make an exception. staying with the war in ukraine, it's been three weeks since the russian mercenary organisation, the wagner group, staged a mutiny over the way the russian military was fighting its war in ukraine. in the aftermath, they were granted an amnesty and offered the chance to go and live in belarus — but it was unclear what would become of them. now, the belarusian

government says members of the wagner group have begun training its troops. this footage has been shown on state tv there. the announcement is the first official confirmation that some wagner mercenaries are actually based in the country. so far, belarus has not openly taken part in russia's invasion of ukraine — although it did allow its territory to be used by the russian military as a staging post last year. our correspondent in kyiv — abdujalil abdurasulov told us more. this is the first time when the officials of the belarusian government have confirmed that the wagner fighters have arrived in their country. just a few days ago, ukrainian and western officials reported that they saw no signs of wagner's presence in belarus. and now, the defense ministry of that country is saying that those mercenaries are training their forces and these are not the regular army units of belarus that are being trained by wagner mercenaries. these are so—called

territorial defense groups. these are civilians who can be called up in case the country is attacked. and what's interesting is that these groups are getting trained in a town in western parts of belarus, near the russian border. and it's quite close to the area where earlier satellite images showed hundreds of tents being set up and regional media speculated that those tents were set up for wagner fighters. hollywood stars jason sudeikis, susan sarandon as well as thousands of other actors have joined screenwriters for hollywood's biggest strike in more than six decades. they are concerned about pay, working conditions and the industry's use of artificial intelligence. actors will not take part in any filming or even promote movies

during the strike action. majorfilms in production, including the avatar and gladiator sequels, may be affected by the shutdown. peter bowes reports from los angeles. the strike that has gripped america. actors— some rich and famous, others struggling to to make ends meet. all cast together on the picket line. this was day one of what could be a very long stand—off between the actors union and the studios. a union with 160,000 members determined to show they mean business. about a better pay deal, and reassurances that artificial intelligence won't be used to do actors out of a job. that if you can take my face and body and voice, and make me say or do something that i have no choice about,

and that their worries are just the same as everyone else. working actors like me and my friends, we are just trying to pay our rents and mortgages, and put food on the table. all in a situation where it isjust not viable for anyone angeles. failed to reach a deal. but the union insisted it didn't come close to what they wanted. fran �* the fran �*the union's leader. fran mm leader. , ., , ., leader. 99.9% of the people i am fiuuhtin leader. 99.9% of the people i am fighting for _ people. they are the being squeezed out. they are the ones being out. —— they are the ones being squeezed out.

for tv viewers and moviegoers, it'll be thin pickings majorfilms in production, including the avatar and gladiator sequels may be put on hold indefinitely. this is the most serious hollywood strike in decades, in new york, a man has been charged with a series of murders dating back over a decade — and he's also being treated as the prime suspect in at least one other unsolved killing. rex huwerman, who's 59, was arrested in manhattan late on thursday evening. he's a prominent architect, who lived in the area where the bodies of the victims were found. all of the women were in their 20s, and were sex workers. this is my 12th year as county executive. i've lived with this investigation for my entire tenure.

my investigation for my entire tenure. my tenure as county executive. i can tell you that during that time, the focus for me, and members of our team, has been on bringing justice for these victims and closure to these families who have suffered. it's wimbledon finals day — and history could be made on centre court in the women's singles final. tunisia's 0ns jabeur is hoping to become the first arab woman, and the first woman from africa, to win a grand slam singles title. she'll start as favourite against marketa vondrousova from the czech republic. both have previously played in grand slam finals — but neither has yet won one of the big four titles. live now to aida beji, who's a former tennis player who's

in sousse in tunisia. welcome to the programme. how is tunisia feeling right now? they must be watching the lady known as the minister of happiness. hello and thank you for the invitation. i think all the tunisians are super excited for ruud's match. we are all excited, and may be a bit stressed, but we are hoping for the win. 0bviously, history could be made twice here. the first arab woman, and the first african woman also. there is a lot to be said for supporting young talent, isn't there, in both of those communities? for yourself, what did it take to be a professional tennis player? how difficult is it to enter the sport? since i used to play tennis, from my young, young childhood, we were in the same tennis club with 0ns

jabeur. she is of course older than me, but i knew the conditions weren't that easy, but she was like a genius, so talented. she was already winning at all, and we already winning at all, and we already looked up to her since we were all young, but how to say? she is really perseverance. when she has something in her mind, she will definitely realise it. not many people believed in her and what she is realising today, that is what it takes for her to be the champion she is today, so i can't even describe how we are all proud of her. she is a true role model, and she is inspiring as every single day. haifa inspiring as every single day. how would ou inspiring as every single day. how would you describe her playing style? what should people be watching for if they are tuning into the final today? she watching for if they are tuning into the final today?— the final today? she is always -auttin the final today? she is always putting on _ the final today? she is always putting on a _ the final today? she is always putting on a show. _ the final today? she is always putting on a show. that - the final today? she is always putting on a show. that is - the final today? she is always | putting on a show. that is how special 0ns jabeur is. i think that

everybody sees it, through her tennis play style. really special with so many drop shots, always wanting to put on a show. all the spectators love her, and it's been so much for us to see how much he is loved and appreciated all over the world. ., , ., ., ,, ., world. how big a 'ob does she have toda in world. how big a 'ob does she have today in her— world. how big a job does she have today in her opponent? _ world. how big a job does she have today in her opponent? i _ world. how big a job does she have today in her opponent? i think- world. how big a job does she have today in her opponent? i think she | today in her opponent? i think she will definitely _ today in her opponent? i think she will definitely get _ today in her opponent? i think she will definitely get the _ today in her opponent? i think she will definitely get the win. - today in her opponent? i think she will definitely get the win. i - today in her opponent? i think she will definitely get the win. i hope i will definitely get the win. i hope so, because as she said in her last semifinal, she has sort of transformed. we can see the hunger. i mean, we will definitely support her either way, we have her back. i have about 30 seconds, how difficult is it to play at wimbledon? 0f is it to play at wimbledon? of course, it is grass. you'll make up in tunisia, we don't have grass courts. ,, , ., .,

courts. she is so talented though, she is a true _ courts. she is so talented though, she is a true genius. _ courts. she is so talented though, she is a true genius. i _ courts. she is so talented though, she is a true genius. i can - courts. she is so talented though, she is a true genius. i can see - she is a true genius. i can see there will— she is a true genius. i can see there will be _ she is a true genius. i can see there will be watching - she is a true genius. i can see there will be watching parties | she is a true genius. i can see - there will be watching parties going on, and a lot of celebrations and cheering. i hope you enjoy the match, and either way, i will say congratulations. to reach this final is great for tunisia. thank you for joining us. and i hope you enjoy watching the final at wimbledon. we will be bringing you any updates here on bbc news. stay with us. hello there. many places had a soaking on friday, courtesy of low pressure. some places had a months worth of rain. that low pressure is still with us, and it will bring fun to read shower is probably for all. but also, and windy weather. we have seen that across western areas on

friday. the stronger winds are also developing further east to now. we have warnings out as a result of as you can see, stretching that, as you can see, stretching across the whole southern england, wales and parts of the south wales and parts of the midlands and east anglia. gusts of . miles imiles an . miles an hour could wind up to 55 miles an hour could bring down the order and certainly branches and slates, and bring some disruption. —— the odd weak tree. we spells of rain up north, and thunderstorms developing, with warnings out for scotland thunderstorms developing, with wa could out for scotland thunderstorms developing, with wa could see for scotland thunderstorms developing, with wa could see some )tland thunderstorms developing, with wa could see some heavier showers we could see some heavier showers and some intense downpours. temperatures around average, the temperatures around average, but the temperatures will be lifted temperatures around average, but the temperatures will be the id temperatures around average, but the temperatures will be the south—east, per 2 degrees across the south—east, if the showers start per 2 degrees across the south—east, if thi low >wers start per 2 degrees across the south—east, if thi low pressure 't per 2 degrees across the south—east, if thi low pressure is just migrating that low pressure is just migrating over night out into the north sea, but temperatures are fairly academic forjust

for just about all parts, figures for just about all parts, but it does figures for just about all parts, but it do picture on sunday. that low unsubtle picture on sunday. that low pressure there, as unsubtle picture on sunday. that low pressuret into as unsubtle picture on sunday. that low pressure t into the north sea. the jutting out into the north sea. the strongest winds transferring into northern ireland. still quite windy perhaps, fewer in the south, but perhaps, fewer showers than today. as still a will be showery picture, and there will be some heavy showers north scotland, coming down the north channel into the north—west of england and wales. again, a very disturbed looking the other picture through the second part of the weekend. as well, with very similar temperatures to those of today. as for next week, early next week. a little ridge of high pressure builds on monday, so perhaps, the showers lighter and there will be fewer of them. and then we have more wet weather to come on tuesday, with another area of low pressure. we stayed radical across our shores, but further south, the heat is building again. we can see temperatures above average with those reds, and the heat really building again across western and central europe into next week.

this is bbc news. 0ur