huge swathes of the northern hemisphere spanning across 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. a bit dangerous, it feels. but for many tourists, the once—in—a—lifetime sights are worth the risk. don't know if i will ever be back, so i 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. we are here again to give people water and also to give leaflets concerning the high temperature period here in greece. the heatwave is baking countries like italy in temperatures of at least a0 degrees, 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 heatwave on its way next week that could bring the continent's hottest ever temperatures. so, as these animals are doing at berlin zoo, the official advice for people is to stay hydrated and keep out of the sun at the hottest part of the day as the heat continues to rise. louisa pilbeam, bbc news.

0ur correspondent, guy hedgecoe, is in madrid. 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 visiting it. there have also been wildfires in greece, caused by the 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 as 48 degrees 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. meanwhile, 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. well to discuss how significant this visit it, i'm now joined by shashankjoshi, who is the defence editor for the economist. how should this visit be viewed? it is important in a number of respects. 0ne is important in a number of respects. one is south korea's status as a significant defence industrial provider. and despite government policy, it has indirectly provided muck vast numbers of artillery shells to ukraine. the ukrainian counteroffensive we are seeing unfold since the beginning of june properly can happen without south korea's shells. that's how

significant it is. south korea hasn't yet provided any heavy weapons like tanks or artillery pieces, despite the fact it is selling significant numbers of those to countries like poland. for zelensky, that is one of his priorities. of course, it is also important because it shows the world that ukraine isn'tjust supported by a small number of european and north american countries. the support extends beyond indo asia and south korea is one of the few numbers of asian countries that has conducted this kind of visits to ukraine and that has a lot of symbolic and diplomatic significance too. how is it that south _ diplomatic significance too. how is it that south korea _ diplomatic significance too. how is it that south korea has _ diplomatic significance too. how is it that south korea has such - diplomatic significance too. how is it that south korea has such a - diplomatic significance too. how is i it that south korea has such a heavy catalogue and warehousing of weaponry?— catalogue and warehousing of weaon ? . , , , ., , . weaponry? the answer is history and if ou weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked — weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked at _ weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked at the _ weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked at the north _ weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked at the north of - weaponry? the answer is history and if you looked at the north of south i if you looked at the north of south korea is north korea. 0f

if you looked at the north of south korea is north korea. of course there was a significant war in the 19505, you had an armistice, you don't have a piece, there was no peace agreement and it remains a very heavily militarised order between north and south korea. all kinds of weapons along that border area. the over 60, 70 years, south korea has had to be extremely well—prepared for the prospect of the major war with the country next door. i the ma'or war with the country next door. , , ,.,, the ma'or war with the country next door. , , the ma'or war with the country next door. , ., , , door. i suppose south korea's visits will be playing _ door. i suppose south korea's visits will be playing into _ door. i suppose south korea's visits will be playing into a _ door. i suppose south korea's visits will be playing into a number- door. i suppose south korea's visits will be playing into a number of - will be playing into a number of geopolitical dynamics taking place because you mention north korea, russia is an ally of north korea. perhaps they will be watching very closely what does come out of this

visit? ., �* , closely what does come out of this visit? . �* , , , ., , ., visit? that's right. russia is a artner visit? that's right. russia is a partner of— visit? that's right. russia is a partner of north _ visit? that's right. russia is a partner of north korea, - visit? that's right. russia is a partner of north korea, ally l visit? that's right. russia is a | partner of north korea, ally is putting it too strongly. from south korea's perspective, we have seen north korea accelerate a strategic missile programme. so south korea, they have to be mindful of whatever support those provide ukraine, that will build their ties to nato, to europe and america, they have to be mindful how that has a knock—on effect on the russian relationship with north korea and the way russia might respond diplomatically, for example in the un security council over sanctions over north korea. south korea have been cautious about publicly providing arms to ukraine. they have done it quite discreetly

and without a lot of fuss or publicity and i think the relationship with russia is one of the considerations they have in mind. i the considerations they have in mind. , ., , the considerations they have in mind. , . , ., the considerations they have in mind. , ., ., mind. i understand they have also been providing — mind. i understand they have also been providing the _ mind. i understand they have also been providing the de-mining - been providing the de—mining equipment and medical equipment too. what do south korea get from ukraine? had they been impacted by the agriculture sector for example? they have been affected by the war like many other economies but from their perspective, there is a number of things. they are consolidating their ties with the united states, shown themselves to be good allies. second of all, i think they also see a principal at state, a small number has been invaded by its bigger neighbour, other countries have to come up and help. south korea might need help one day from europeans.

there are more parochial reasons. south korea may be involved in billions of dollars of reconstruction in ukraine. for there arms industry, it is also earning opportunity... it may also be tangible material for south korea too. ., ~ tangible material for south korea too. . ~ , ., tangible material for south korea too. . ~ ., ., tangible material for south korea too. . ., ., ., too. thank you for that context and the wider picture _ too. thank you for that context and the wider picture too. _ 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 in the country. this footage has been shown on state tv there. the announcement is the first official confirmation that some

wagner mercenaries are actually 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 the town of... 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. a police investigation into the deaths of two people off bournemouth beach in may has concluded there were no criminal offences. 12—year—old sunnah khan, and 17—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. now it's time for a look at today's sport with gavin. a huge day ahead, and a chance to make history for the finallists in the women's singles at wimbledon. in just under three hours time, 0ns jabeur and marketa vondrousova will go head to head, for the chance to win a first grand slam. vondrousova has the chance to becoming the first unseeded woman, to lift the venus rosewater dish. forjabeur, it's an opportunity to become the first african or arab woman to win a major. last year was my first final of a grand slam so definitely getting closer to winning the grand slam that i always wished. i would say i

always believed but sometimes, you would question and doubt it if it's going to happen, if it's ever going to happen and being in the last stages, i think it does help you believe more and for me, i'm going to learn a lot from not only wimbledon final but also the us open final. and give it my best and may be this year was all about trying to times and getting it right the third time. ,, , ._ ., , .,, time. she played finals here last ear and time. she played finals here last year and she _ time. she played finals here last year and she was _ time. she played finals here last year and she was also _ time. she played finals here last year and she was also playing i time. she played finals here last| year and she was also playing the time. she played finals here last - year and she was also playing the us open final_ year and she was also playing the us open final so she is used to play finals _ open final so she is used to play finals in — open final so she is used to play finals in the grand slam so it it is going _ finals in the grand slam so it it is going to — finals in the grand slam so it it is going to he — finals in the grand slam so it it is going to be tough. for me it is crazy— going to be tough. for me it is crazy al— going to be tough. for me it is crazy at it's _ going to be tough. for me it is crazy at it's happening but i think anything — crazy at it's happening but i think anything can happen in tennis. i am so grateful— anything can happen in tennis. i am so grateful to be here and it's crazy— so grateful to be here and it's crazy that _ so grateful to be here and it's crazy that this is happening. big news from the world of football. premier league side west ham united have confirmed that declan rice

is leaving the club — for a british record transferfee. in a long letter to fans — posted on social media — rice thanked the fans and the club for so many great memories and highlights. he captained west ham to that europa conference league win last season. england midfielder rice is expected to make the record breaking move across london to arsenal, for £105 million. the transfer from west ham was agreed last month but has taken to go through the legalities means it still hasn t been formally approved. rory mcilroy�*s pulled further clear of the pack on day three of the scottish open at the rennaissance club — the start brought forward because of impending bad weather. the northern irishman — hoping the win a 5th major next week, at royal liverpool for the open, led at the half way point.

he's now 13 underfor the tournament, through 7.... south korea's tom kim is hot on his heels though. and tommy fleetwood's marching up the leaderboard. three shots back, after a 5 under round so far. latest on the bbc sport website. just a few days remaining of the world para athletics championships in paris ? china still top the medal table, just ahead of brazil and the usa. australia aren t threatening the top of the table, but they have claimed their third gold of the games on saturday. and it was james turners second of the week ? he s the t36100 metre champion ? which is the event for athletes with movement and coordination affected in all four limbs. he was just outside his own world record, but was still happy with his achievement, speaking to rachael latham after the race. if anything, relieved. all that pressure is washing off me now. i haven't quite come to terms with it.

or my family is watching, a few friends here watching in paris so i'm pretty happy about that. it's really good back with the gold for them. and that's all the sport for now. a busy day with all that happening at wimbledon with the men's doubles finals later on at centre court two. live now to naomi broady, a british tennis player who will be commentating on the women's wimbledon final very shortly. you must be excited. what a great game. you must be excited. what a great came. �* ,., you must be excited. what a great came. �* . you must be excited. what a great came.�* . ., ., game. am so excited. today's final will be amazing. _ game. am so excited. today's final will be amazing. the _ game. am so excited. today's final will be amazing. the thought - game. am so excited. today's final will be amazing. the thought of. game. am so excited. today's final| will be amazing. the thought of the day is the weather. every now and then, it is windy today. they haven't opened the cube yet in

expectation of poor weather so unless you're already a ticket holder, you can't get into the grounds. there are grounds behind me are pretty quiet for finals day. you've got 0ns jabeur and marketa vondrousova, who do you think will be better at handling bad weather? who is good at holding their nerve in such conditions? i who is good at holding their nerve in such conditions?— who is good at holding their nerve in such conditions? i would say ons jabeur because _ in such conditions? i would say ons jabeur because known _ in such conditions? i would say ons jabeur because known having - jabeur because known having fantastic touch and hand skills so that will definitely come into into play. she also has a short low ball toss so if the wind starts swirling around in centre court, it won't affect that. marketa vondrousova has affect that. marketa vondrousova has a high ball toss, she will have to play in high margins if the wind does pick up. play in high margins if the wind does pick up— play in high margins if the wind does--icku. �* ., ., ,, does pick up. before we talk in bout -- about history _

does pick up. before we talk in bout -- about history that _ does pick up. before we talk in bout -- about history that can _ does pick up. before we talk in bout -- about history that can be - does pick up. before we talk in bout -- about history that can be made, | —— about history that can be made, how much are the ladies up for winning moneywise? how are those discussions are ladies tennis at the moment? �* , ., discussions are ladies tennis at the moment? . , ., ,, ., , moment? and the grand slams, the women when _ moment? and the grand slams, the women when the _ moment? and the grand slams, the women when the same _ moment? and the grand slams, the women when the same prize - moment? and the grand slams, the women when the same prize money| moment? and the grand slams, the l women when the same prize money of the men. the rest of the year, the men still earn more money. the grand slams of course, they play best—of—5 sets but the women's semifinals, they are longer than the men's semifinals because the sets took so long. they were in a lot of money anyway, all the finalists will be getting, the winners are getting around 2 million. it is getting, the winners are getting around 2 million.— getting, the winners are getting around 2 million. it is difficult to net at around 2 million. it is difficult to get at this _ around 2 million. it is difficult to get at this stage _ around 2 million. it is difficult to get at this stage in _ around 2 million. it is difficult to get at this stage in your- around 2 million. it is difficult to get at this stage in your career, | get at this stage in your career, it's so competitive and expensive as well. if 0ns jabeur does win today, she will be making history. can you

explain to us the significance if she does succeed on the court and why it's taken so long to get to this point for a woman from an arab background and from the african continent? ,, �* , ., ., background and from the african continent?— background and from the african continent? ,, �* , ., ., , continent? she's going for the first arab and african _ continent? she's going for the first arab and african woman _ continent? she's going for the first arab and african woman to - continent? she's going for the first arab and african woman to win - continent? she's going for the first arab and african woman to win a l arab and african woman to win a grand slam title so she carries a lot on her title. she is already the first to play the grand slam final. she carries a lot on her shoulders, she carries it great. she loves it, she carries it great. she loves it, she is trying to inspire the next generation, both girls and boys back home in tunisia and across the continent. it's something that a lot of people would feel a lot of pressure carrying and to inspire a whole generation, that's massive but she loves it and she really wants to make an impact. she loves it and she really wants to make an impact-— she loves it and she really wants to make an impact. thank you very much. i know make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro _ make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro tennis _ make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro tennis player _ make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro tennis player and - make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro tennis player and i -

make an impact. thank you very much. i know euro tennis player and i know. i know euro tennis player and i know your brother has also performed in wimbledon, congratulations. thank you very much indeed. 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. let's speak to our correspondent leigh milner, who's in the newsroom. tell us more about this. let me start off by _ tell us more about this. let me start off by telling _ tell us more about this. let me start off by telling you - tell us more about this. let me start off by telling you what - tell us more about this. let me start off by telling you what a l start off by telling you what a disposable vape actually is. these are the ones you buy that are prefilled with the liquid, they are pre—charged. you get about 600 pass out of them before you have to get rid of them. they cost about £3 or £4, so they are basically cheap, easy—to—use and hassle—free. the problem is that 1.3 million are thrown away every week here in the uk instead of being recycled. apart from not being very environmentally

friendly, they can also cause fires if they are crushed and bin lorries, believe it or not because each of them has a battery inside. that's why they are classed as electronic equipment. it's a bit like your cattle at home, and they should be recycled properly at a recycle centre. the local government association which represents local councils here in the uk, they are also worried about the impact they are having on young children as well. they say it is worrying just how many children who haven't spoke before actually taking up baby instead. the uk baby industry association says disposable vape —— vaping association say they can be recycled. vaping association say they can be re cled. ~ . , . . recycled. what is the alternative? there is one _ recycled. what is the alternative? there is one behind _ recycled. what is the alternative? there is one behind me _ recycled. what is the alternative? there is one behind me is - recycled. what is the alternative? there is one behind me is the - recycled. what is the alternative? | there is one behind me is the blue one. that one is a disposable one. you can either buy that one or get a refillable one. the refillable ones are more expensive but they are much

cheaper in the long run, once you've got one, you just need to top it up with the e liquid which costs around a pound. they haven't less of an environmental impact. the reason why people buy disposables is because at the end of the day, they are cheap, they are easy and hassle free and if you try to quit smoking, and you want to try vaping, you won't have to spend a lot of money on the refillable kit. this is a huge market, coming into work today, i saw about three billboards advertising vaping and 300 million e cigarettes were sold last in the uk. how likely is it that a ban will be put in place because ultimately this is an earner? the put in place because ultimately this is an earner?— is an earner? the lga is really -aushin is an earner? the lga is really pushing for— is an earner? the lga is really pushing for this _ is an earner? the lga is really pushing for this to _ is an earner? the lga is really pushing for this to happen. - is an earner? the lga is really l pushing for this to happen. they wanted to happen as early as next year. before the eu's proposed ban in 2026 because there are fears that lots of people will come here to buy and sell their disposable vape. some

vaping retailers support the ban but they worried it may lead to a black market where people to start selling and buying unsafe disposables illegally and actually, we have just heard from one of the leading vaping brands, elf bar who agree this could force customers to look elsewhere. if this band does go ahead, how will it be in force going forward? and how much power will be given to local authorities such as the police to make sure that this happened correctly and more importantly, safely? correctly and more importantly, safel ? . ~ correctly and more importantly, safel ? ., ~' correctly and more importantly, safel ? ., ,, , . 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 is known to have owned permits for 92 guns, and lived in the area

where the bodies of the victims were found. all of the women were in their 205, and were sex workers. the us attorney said that heuermann had made what were described as �*taunting calls' to the sister of one of the victims following her disappearance. this is my 12th year as county executive. i've lived with this 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. and before we go. let's take you to paris.

fireworks lit up the sky across france on friday night as the country celebrated its annual bastille day. the eiffel tower was bathed in bright colours during the official display in paris. the french government earlier banned the sale and possession of fireworks after they were used as weapons by protestors last month. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. many places had a soaking on friday courtesy of low pressure. in fact, some places had a month's worth of rain. now that low pressure is still with us and it'll bring thundery downpours today. heavy showers probably for all, but also unseasonably windy weather. we've already seen that across southern and western areas during friday. the stronger winds are also developing further east now. so we have warnings out as a result of that, as you can see, stretching across the whole of southern england, south wales, parts of the midlands and east east anglia. gusts of wind up to 50,

55 miles an hour could bring down the odd weak tree, certainly branches and slates and caused some disruption. we've also got showers to go with that and longer spells of rain further north and then thunderstorms developing. so there are warnings out now for scotland and northern england as well for this thunderstorms. but anywhere could see some heavier showers and some really intense downpours. temperatures well around average for the time of year, but a little sunnier potentially later in the day, lifting the temperature to 22 degrees across parts of east anglia, the southeast, if the showers start to diminish, but not for long. we've got more coming this evening and overnight, that low pressure just migrating out into the north sea, but still some heavy thundery showers around. so temperatures fairly academic, really, overnight holding into double figures for just about all parts. but it does bring us into a really unsettled picture. then on sunday, that low pressure there, as you can see, drifting out into the north sea, the strongest winds transferring across scotland into northern ireland,

still quite windy in the south, but perhaps fewer showers than today. but still, it's a showery picture and there'll be some heavier ones around, but notably so across scotland, coming down through the north channel into northern ireland and the northwest of england, wales as well. so again, a very disturbed looking weather 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, well, a little ridge of high pressure builds on monday. so perhaps the showers lighter and there'll be fewer of them. and then we've got more wet weather to come on tuesday with another area of low pressure. so we stay rather cool across our shores. but further south, the heat is building again. you can see the oranges and reds, temperatures above average and the heat really builds again across western and central europe into next week.

to children. this is bbc news. this is bbc news. the headlines... a smothering heatwave is continuing to grip much of southern europe, with temperatures of up to 48 degrees celcius expected to break records next week. some of the world's famous attractions are closed during the hottest part of the day to protect visitors from the heat. could the sale of disposable vapes be banned by next year? well, that's what councils in england and wales are calling for. the local government association

is concerned about the environmental impact of vapes and their appeal