unprecedented high temperatures are being reported across the world — breaking records on multiple continents. a heatwave is continuing across southern europe, with temperatures in the central mediterranean expected to peak today. torrential rains have inundated parts of japan, china and south korea. and in the united states, the temperature in death valley, california, is expected to stay at 150 degrees to stay at 50 degrees celsius, that's 120 degrees fahrenheit, at midnight on monday. in europe it's so hot in italy that 20 cities are on the red list which means people are facing a very high health risk due to the intense heat. and on the island of sardinia it is expected to reach a record 46 degrees celsius later today. these pictures are from panakto in greece which is close to athens and you can see the wildfires fires still burning there.

joining me live are our correspondents across europe — azadeh moshiri in the greek capital, athens, sofia bettiza in the italian city of palermo and our balkans correspondent guy delaunay in ljubljana. let's cross to greece, we have seen those incredible pictures of the wildfires raging across parts of the area just outside athens. tell me what is happening and what the greek government are doing to stop the wildfires spreading. i am government are doing to stop the wildfires spreading.— wildfires spreading. i am in kouvaras — wildfires spreading. i am in kouvaras which _ wildfires spreading. i am in kouvaras which is - wildfires spreading. i am in l kouvaras which is south-east wildfires spreading. i am in - kouvaras which is south-east of kouvaras which is south—east of athens and that is where a lot of those pictures of frames ripping through hills where yesterday and what you are seeing right now around me is the aftermath. while other areas, the fires are impacted by the heatwave, here it is not only the heatwave, here it is not only the heat but a man is suspected of starting the fire and he has been arrested. you can see the

consequences around me. if you were here with me not only would you be able to see the burnt trees but you would be able to smell it and to touch the ground and feeljust how hot and dry the area is. i spoke to firefighters earlier and the greek government has talked about the fact that emergency services are not only evacuating people in these areas around me today, it is the first day some of those people can go back to their homes in kouvaras, but also trying to get as close to the flames as they can in their planes but the wind, and a journal if you can see the wind around me, it is causing an issue for those planes to get close to those flames and they need help, which is why the european union has sent four planes to combat these wild flowers, two from italy sent four planes to combat these wildflowers, two from italy and two from france. —— wildfires. while fires are raging in mainland greece, something they have seen before, they know they need help.-

something they have seen before, they know they need help. thank you. let's cross life _ they know they need help. thank you. let's cross life to _ they know they need help. thank you. let's cross life to sicily _ they know they need help. thank you. let's cross life to sicily and _ they know they need help. thank you. let's cross life to sicily and speak - let's cross life to sicily and speak to our correspondence there. took me through how hot things are in italy. i have been reading the capital rome has registered its highest ever temperature, hundred and 7.2 fahrenheit. that highest ever temperature, hundred and 7.2 fahrenheit.— and 7.2 fahrenheit. that is right. it has been _ and 7.2 fahrenheit. that is right. it has been extremely _ and 7.2 fahrenheit. that is right. it has been extremely hot - and 7.2 fahrenheit. that is right. it has been extremely hot here i and 7.2 fahrenheit. that is right. | it has been extremely hot here in sicily for the last couple of days. this is where two years ago, the highest temperature in europe was recorded. 48.8 celsius and that it is expected to be exceeded in the next couple of days. italians are used to hot summers but not this hot, especially if you think about the fact that these are consecutive heatwaves have arrived very suddenly. they are having an effect

on people's health. here several hospitals have seen a rise in the number of patients who are being admitted with symptoms caused by the heat. that is why the italian health ministry has asked hospitals to activate something called a heat code. this is something quite similar to the way that italy dealt with the covid pandemic, setting up a separate branch of the doctors with special treatments so they can deal with people very quickly who come to hospitals showing some signs, symptoms related, caused by this heatwave. the advice here is to stay indoors during the afternoon, drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and heavy food. as you mentioned earlier, 20 cities are under a red alert warning. that number is going to go up to 23 cities tomorrow and that means the

heat is causing a serious threat to everybody, notjust the elderly heat is causing a serious threat to everybody, not just the elderly and young people. the advice is to take this very seriously because in many parts of italy this heatwave could continue for the next ten days. thank you very much indeed. let's take you directly to slovenia. took us through how hot that region has become in the past few days. we are has become in the past few days. - are getting away with it a bit here in slovenia, a mere 33 degrees but as you can see everybody is seeking the shade or staying indoors because it really does feel very hot and in other places in the region, there are red alerts all over the place. in croatia red alerts in dubrovnik and split on the coast, temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees, over notjust are expected to reach 40 degrees, over not just today are expected to reach 40 degrees, over notjust today but are expected to reach 40 degrees, over not just today but tomorrow. are expected to reach 40 degrees, over notjust today but tomorrow. in bosnia 4i over notjust today but tomorrow. in bosnia 41 degrees, people have been

jumping off the famous old bridge into the river below in an effort to keep cool. serbia as well, a red alert for temperatures there across the whole of the country. spare a thought for people in north macedonia's capital, where a lot of the buses have air conditioning which doesn't work or exist, temperatures there around 40 celsius. they are being told by the authorities they want to go and cool off in the forests but forget it, because they have closed the forests in the national parks because of fears of wildfires and that is a real danger when temperatures are this hot, as we have been seeing from greece. this hot, as we have been seeing from greece-— this hot, as we have been seeing from greece. thank you very much indeed. thank— from greece. thank you very much indeed. thank you _ from greece. thank you very much indeed. thank you to _ from greece. thank you very much indeed. thank you to all— from greece. thank you very much indeed. thank you to all our - indeed. thank you to all our correspondence across all of those areas of europe. if you want to keep up—to—date with the heatwave in what is happening, we have a live page which will bring you the latest and answer any questions you may have on the reasons behind the heatwave and the reasons behind the heatwave and the impact this extreme hot weather

is having on so many parts of europe but also across other regions in the world. all of that on the website and news. more than 100 current and recent mcdonald's workers have told the bbc about a toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying at the company's uk outlets. the uk equality watchdog, the ehrc, said it was "concerned" by the allegations and that in response to the bbc�*s findings, it was setting up a new email hotline for those affected. mcdonald's said it had "fallen short" and that it "deeply apologises". this report is from our employment correspondent zoe conway, and a warning you may find some of the content distressing. shelby was 16 when she started working at mcdonald's last year in berkshire. she says that the workplace felt toxic. 0ne senior manager was openly racist and mocked disabled employees. managers warned her to stay away from certain older men,

including one man in his 50s. i was just speaking to one of my friends and he grabbed me by my hips and pulled me onto his groin area and then just held me there. i felt disgusted. he was so much older, as well. shelby says she complained to the store's management, but nothing was done. she quit in may. mcdonald's said it was investigating why any issues that she raised were not formally escalated at the time. mcdonald's uses a franchise system that means individual operators are licensed to run the stores and directly employ the staff. this lady is employed by a franchise in cheshire, she is 17. last year, she was repeatedly sexually harassed by a much older male colleague. the man was also racially abusive. he offered to show me his penis in the freezer. he said the n word to two boys in the kitchen.

he referred me as a monkey, and would not stop repeating it. even though the others seemed uncomfortable with the situation. i could not handle it at this point and ijust broke. why didn't you go to the store manager? to the man in charge? i didn't think i would be believed. i think they would have seen my story as an exaggeration. her stepfather complained to mcdonald's corporate headquarters, the franchise and the police and after this intervention, the man was fired. mcdonald's said her experiences were abhorrent and unacceptable. it apologised unreservedly and said swift action was taken and the man was dismissed within three days. in february, mcdonald's signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog, the ehrc, in which it committed to doing more to prevent sexual harassment from taking place, including online training. mcdonald's workers have told the bbc the training is not being taken

seriously and one employee described balancing an ipad next to a mcflurry machine and flicking through the online course whilst doing the drinks. other workers have told us that they have not been offered any training at all. in a statement, alistair macrow, the ceo of mcdonald's uk and ireland said... sarah willie is general secretary at the bakers food and allied workers union. i asked for her reaction. you would think— union. i asked for her reaction. you would think we _ union. i asked for her reaction. 7m, would think we would union. i asked for her reaction. you. would think we would be shocked

about it, the story is that these workers have told the bbc are shocking but we are not, we are not surprised. we have had members telling us about this for the last few years. it is disgraceful, it has taken the bbc to put this together and put this report out there for their even to be an apology from the company. their even to be an apology from the com an . ~ . , their even to be an apology from the com-an .~ ., , , ,, company. what is the process where members come _ company. what is the process where members come and _ company. what is the process where members come and complain - company. what is the process where members come and complain to - company. what is the process where | members come and complain to you? what do you do and what is the company told? we what do you do and what is the company told?— company told? we have raised grievances _ company told? we have raised grievances on _ company told? we have raised grievances on behalf— company told? we have raised grievances on behalf of - company told? we have raised grievances on behalf of our - company told? we have raised - grievances on behalf of our members within the company are much the same as what has been described in the report, it doesn't go any further. the use of nondisclosure at scotchman agreements to most people out of the company, there has been a mixture of different reactions, none of them have been to move towards changing what is deeply ingrained culture of sexual harassment and a toxic nature shall be has described in the company.

if you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, information and support is available via the bbc action line, you'll find that online or via the bbc news app. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's ta ke let's take you through some stories making headlines in the uk. a mother who was jailed for illegally obtaining abortion tablets to end her pregnancy during lockdown will be released from prison after the court of appeal reduced her sentence. 45 year old carla foster was given a 28—month sentence after admitting illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant. 0n sentencing last month, a judge said she would serve half her term in custody and the remainder on licence. ex manchester footballer ryan giggs is hoping to revive his career in the game after being cleared from domestic violence charges from his ex—girlfriend. he was due to face a retrial on domestic violence charges later this month, but the case was withdrawn

at a hearing at manchester crown court this morning. the boss of online food retailer 0cado says the uk is "definitely over the worst" of food price inflation. chief executive tim steiner gave his forecast as separate figures revealed that grocery price growth slowed for a fourth month injune. you're live with bbc news. donald trump says he has been told he is a target of a criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. writing on his truth social platform, he went on to say he has been called to give evidence to a grand jury and expects to be arrested and indicted. let's get the very latest from washington and a north american correspondent david willis. bring us up—to—date with what he has been saying what this all means. i what he has been saying what this all means. , ., ., all means. i will give you a little bit of background _ all means. i will give you a little bit of background on _ all means. i will give you a little bit of background on all - all means. i will give you a little bit of background on all of - all means. i will give you a little bit of background on all of this. | bit of background on all of this. last november, such as the delicacy

and unprecedented nature of allegations surrounding donald trump, the us attorney general appointed a special prosecutor by the name ofjack smith to look into some of those allegations last month. we sell 37 counts being weighed against donald trump in regards to the alleged mishandling of a secret classified government documents and the withholding of those documents from federal agents at his mara largo estate. now he has come out on his truth social platform and announced he has been ordered to give evidence to a grand jury ordered to give evidence to a grand jury investigating other claims, claims of a conspiracy to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. mrtrump the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. mr trump is saying he has been given four days in this letter from jack smith to give evidence to the grand jury from jack smith to give evidence to the grandjury and from jack smith to give evidence to the grand jury and that will almost certainly lead to an arrest and or

an indictment. what we do not know is whether donald trump intends to cooperate with that request from jack smith, whether he will go and give evidence before a grand jury. i think it is probably highly unlikely. what charges, if any, jack smith might be considering bringing against the former president and whether there are other people who might be the target of this criminal investigation. donald trump has, as well as those 37 counts of mishandling government documents, is also under investigation for attempting to allegedly overturn the election result in the state of georgia. no word on charges there, but he remains his party's front runner as far as the presidential election next year is concerned. it could be his campaigning is mired by court appearances.— court appearances. thank you very much. court appearances. thank you very much- let's _ court appearances. thank you very much. let's take _

court appearances. thank you very much. let's take it _ court appearances. thank you very much. let's take it live _ court appearances. thank you very much. let's take it live to - court appearances. thank you very much. let's take it live to some i much. let's take it live to some pictures coming into us from greece, you can see efforts to try to stop wildfires from spreading just north of athens. that looks like a helicopter which has been mobilised to bring aerial firefighting capability to the region. it is incredible how hazy the background looks, the smoke is very thick around this area. those wildfires have been raging in several areas in and around athens. you can see actual flames and around athens. you can see actualflames in and around athens. you can see actual flames in the and around athens. you can see actualflames in the background, and the most severe fire in the country is currently seeing smoke billowing from the area, even in satellite imagery from space. the eu has said it has been sending firefighting planes to greece in attempts to tackle the fires but as you can see here, the efforts to try and stop the fire from spreading are

continuing. those fires are raging and that you are made worse by the high temperatures. there have been some talk of some of these fires apparently being started by human hands, and i heard from one of our correspondence that someone has been arrested for starting fires in the region. we will bring you more on this story is always on our website at here on bbc news. a us soldier has been detained in north korea after crossing the borderfrom south korea into the north without authorisation. the person was on an organised tour of the area that divides the two countries. earlier i spoke to our seoul correspondentjean mackenzie about the situation on the border. he was on this tour of an area up by the border, thejoint security he was on this tour of an area up by the border, the joint security area and this is a sensitive area by the border, it is inside this demilitarised zone which is the most heavily fortified border in the world and it is the place where

south korean soldiers stand on one side and north korean soldiers stand on the other. it is an un—armed area. since the pandemic the north korean soldiers had not been standing along spare side of the line, they have been set back in a building on their side watching over the body and we understand what may have happened is that after this us soldier stepped over the concrete line and into north korea, he made his way to the south korean building and that is where he is being held in custody. this area is controlled by a un body which says it is currently in contact with the north koreans trying to negotiate this person's release, but what they are trying to establish is whether this person wants to return or whether in fact they want to remain in north korea given this is something they did voluntarily. have they chosen to defect? the biggest unanswered question in all of this is why would a us soldier choose to enter north korea in this way?

a key element of rishi sunak�*s pledge to stop small boats crossing the english channel is set to become law — after the uk government won a final series of votes in parliament. the illegal migration bill gives ministers the power to detain and remove anyone entering the uk through routes which are unauthorised. earlier on tuesday, the first barge secured by the government to reduce the cost of accommodation for asylum seekers docked in dorset. duncan kennedy reports. a great metallic hulk at the centre of a great political debate. the bibby stockholm arrived in portland this morning. after manoeuvring around, it will plug into electrical and sewerage services, ready to take the first of 500 adult male asylum seekers. at the quayside, two small groups of protesters turned up to oppose the barge, from very different standpoints. in answer to your question, i do not feel safe. i'm not frightened of a single man in portland. there are 7000 men in portland now.

the police stepped in and a heightened moment turned from individual shouting to group chanting. no hate, no fear! one of the groups were antiracist campaigners, who say housing asylum seekers on the barge is inhumane. refugees are ordinary people like ourselves who face circumstances they never chose. we should identify with them and support them to the best of our ability. the other group were local people from the portland area, who say the asylum seekers will put too much pressure on local services. the people of this town are divided because of this. we all want the same thing, and that is no to the barge! the wider asylum issue was centre stage in the house of lords last night, where final objections to the government's illegal migration bill came to an end. it will now become law. the government says the barge is a temporary solution until asylum

seekers can be detained under the new law and sent back to third—party countries like rwanda, if the supreme court gives that permission. but some of its supporters disagree with the barge. well, a sort of feeling of inevitability, if you like. it was always going to come. we have done all we can to stop this barge for pragmatic and practical reasons. the home office and dare i say the home secretary have not listened. in a statement, the home office said, "using vessels as alternative accommodation, like our european neighbours are already doing, will be better value for british taxpayers and more manageable for communities than costly hotels." the first asylum seekers will arrive on board later this month. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in portland. the cost of childcare for british

families during the school summer holidays is now £942 per child on average, according to new figures from the children's charity. 80% increase on last year. the cost of living correspondent has been to meet parents who are worried about how they will this summer. for many schools where on the countdown to summer, the parents are not so excited. i countdown to summer, the parents are not so excited-— not so excited. i cannot afford to take three _ not so excited. i cannot afford to take three weeks _ not so excited. i cannot afford to take three weeks off— not so excited. i cannot afford to take three weeks off work, - not so excited. i cannot afford to take three weeks off work, i - not so excited. i cannot afford to take three weeks off work, i will| take three weeks off work, i will not have a job left. it is take three weeks off work, i will not have a job left.— not have a 'ob left. it is a big wor . not have a job left. it is a big worry- with _ not have a job left. it is a big worry. with average - not have a job left. it is a big worry. with average cost - not have a job left. it is a big worry. with average cost for| worry. with average cost for full-time — worry. with average cost for full-time childcare - worry. with average cost for full-time childcare headingl worry. with average cost for - full-time childcare heading towards full—time childcare heading towards £1000 for the whole summer holiday, parents like lucy and holly are having to plan differently this year. for both of you, it is about logistics this summer of working out who is working where. she logistics this summer of working out who is working where.— who is working where. she is going to be going — who is working where. she is going to be going to _ who is working where. she is going to be going to her— who is working where. she is going to be going to her school— who is working where. she is going to be going to her school but - who is working where. she is going to be going to her school but a - to be going to her school but a holiday club on the monday and tuesday.

holiday club on the monday and tuesda . . , holiday club on the monday and tuesda . _ ., ., holiday club on the monday and tuesda. _ ., .. ., ., tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing — tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing all _ tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing all her _ tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing all her hours _ tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing all her hours into - tuesday. lucy works as a cleaner and is squashing all her hours into two i is squashing all her hours into two days rather than for this summer and is planning a lots of free fun for the rest of the time. she is planning a lots of free fun for the rest of the time.— the rest of the time. she likes auoin on the rest of the time. she likes going on walks _ the rest of the time. she likes going on walks down - the rest of the time. she likes going on walks down the - the rest of the time. she likes. going on walks down the canal, providing the weather. for going on walks down the canal, providing the weather. for holly may come u- providing the weather. for holly may come up with — providing the weather. for holly may come up with three _ providing the weather. for holly may come up with three children - providing the weather. for holly may come up with three children at - providing the weather. for holly may come up with three children at home j come up with three children at home and business to run, the school holidays are a juggle. it and business to run, the school holidays are a juggle.— holidays are a 'uggle. it takes a lot of holidays are a juggle. it takes a lot of organising _ holidays are a juggle. it takes a lot of organising and _ holidays are a juggle. it takes a lot of organising and a - holidays are a juggle. it takes a lot of organising and a big - lot of organising and a big calendar, we make sure we write everything — calendar, we make sure we write everything on there. a calendar, we make sure we write everything on there.— calendar, we make sure we write everything on there. a lot of people are depending _ everything on there. a lot of people are depending on _ everything on there. a lot of people are depending on family _ everything on there. a lot of people are depending on family members | everything on there. a lot of people l are depending on family members to help them through. you are depending on family members to help them through.— help them through. you spend a lot of time with — help them through. you spend a lot of time with granddad. _ help them through. you spend a lot of time with granddad. but - help them through. you spend a lot of time with granddad. but despite | of time with granddad. but despite hel from of time with granddad. but despite help from family, _ of time with granddad. but despite help from family, extra _ of time with granddad. but despite help from family, extra spending i help from family, extra spending over the summer it will mean meaning back afterwards. i over the summer it will mean meaning back afterwards.— back afterwards. i think we will have a quieter _ back afterwards. i think we will have a quieter september - back afterwards. i think we will i have a quieter september before christmas then kicks in and it is another— christmas then kicks in and it is another big payout again. for amy, her school are _ another big payout again. for amy, her school are throwing _ another big payout again. for amy, her school are throwing a _ another big payout again. for amy, her school are throwing a lifeline. l her school are throwing a lifeline. they are offering four weeks of free holiday club to all pupils. definitely one must worry, and if

there is a day when there is not a lot of money or finance to go on a day out, he is sorted with going to a club at school. ii day out, he is sorted with going to a club at school.— a club at school. if you had to pay hundred 50 _ a club at school. if you had to pay hundred 50 plus _ a club at school. if you had to pay hundred 50 plus pounds - a club at school. if you had to pay hundred 50 plus pounds a - a club at school. if you had to pay hundred 50 plus pounds a week, | a club at school. if you had to pay| hundred 50 plus pounds a week, is that even feasible for you? hot that even feasible for you? not reall , that even feasible for you? not really. with _ that even feasible for you? iirrt really, with having for children, per child that is a lot. hundred £50 per child that is a lot. hundred £50 per child that is a lot. hundred £50 per child is the equivalent of some people plus language. 0r per child is the equivalent of some people plus language. or have a wage. a week. it is a massive amount of money to worry about. the wage. a week. it is a massive amount of money to worry about.— of money to worry about. the price of money to worry about. the price of summer — of money to worry about. the price of summer holiday _ of money to worry about. the price of summer holiday care _ of money to worry about. the price of summer holiday care varies - of money to worry about. the price l of summer holiday care varies across britain but the pressure on parents is being felt everywhere this year. let's ta ke let's take a life to north of athens. you can barely see the horizon because of the thick smoke emanating from those wildfires and helicopters which have been scrambled to try and quell the flames by pouring water over them.

these wildfires are very serious and exacerbated by the extreme heat in the region. more on that story in a few minutes' time on bbc news. hello. there's still no end in sight to our unsettled run of weather and it's all down to the jet stream. a trough to our west continues to fire low pressures across the uk, whereas this ridge is what's toasting europe because, underneath that, we get air descending down through the atmosphere and that is responsible for some localised incredible heat. 46 degrees celsius is on the cards for wednesday across parts of the south of sardinia and similar localised heat into sicily. remember, the all—time european temperature record stands at 48.8, so this is extreme heat. for us, though, as i say, it's unsettled. a different story, that hot weather not coming our way. we are instead seeing low pressures fired across the uk and today no exception. a band of cloud and rain moving

across from northern ireland, across southern scotland, the heart of england and wales. the far south of england, missing out on the rain, so it should be bright and relatively warm in the sunshine — temperatures into the low 20s. for the north of scotland something a bit drier and brighter, as well, although not that warm — 15 or 16 degrees with a northerly breeze. through the evening and overnight period, that rain will start to pull away as the area of low pressure heads into the north sea, so it's the story of the weather becoming drier with some clear spells developing. relatively cool air being pulled in for scotland and for northern ireland with temperatures down into single figures. a cool start to the day on wednesday for some. still the chance of a few showers popping up across eastern areas of england, particularly as we head into the afternoon, but i think across western areas of the country, particularly wales and south—west england, it should be a drier and a brighter day with a bit more in the way of sunshine. temperatures in the high teens to low 20s, for the most part. those temperatures are below

average, but in thejuly sunshine it should feel 0k. for thursday, still some showers in the forecast. the majority of these will be working into northern areas of scotland. elsewhere, showers very much hit and miss in nature. there will be a lot of you that have a dry thursday with a bit of sunshine coming through. again, temperatures disappointing for this stage of the year. beyond that, as we look at the forecast through friday and the weekend, oh, look! it's under a couple of lows! so no end in sight to the unsettled run of weather. we are going to see showers or even some longer spells of rain. cloud is certainly building through this weekend. temperatures staying below average. more rain to come.

women's ashes is underway.

this is bbc news, the headlines: unprecedented high temperatures are being reported across the world — breaking records on multiple continents. workers tell the bbc of a toxic culture at mcdonald's. and it's the last day of campaigning in three crucial by—elections — which could be a major test for rishi sunak�*s authority. sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. hello from the bbc sport centre.

the final match in the multi format