hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. israel's president gets a standing ovation as he addresses the us congress, but it comes amid concerns overjudicial reforms. apologies, will cut short when we were talking about afghan women and the calls for the mp to return uk diplomacy to kabul. shabnam nasimi is a former policy advisor to the minister for afghan resettlement & minister for refugees. she's also a human rights and girls�* education advocate. pick up what you're talking about. about re—engagement whether it should come at a cost. if we get

sound. are you muted?- should come at a cost. if we get sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going — sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going to _ sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going to say. _ sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going to say. i _ sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going to say, i think— sound. are you muted? crack on. i was going to say, i think the - was going to say, i think the element of improve security needs to also be discussed. when it comes to the fact that it was stressed, afghanistan is now new country let's acknowledge that even before the taliban take over women, men and young people were able to study, work and lead free lives before the taliban came to afghanistan, despite the conflict. secondly it's important to acknowledge that the taliban with one committing the terrorist attacks and killing innocent civilians. to say improved security is it completely missed the mark. also important to acknowledge that this is very much naive to assume that there's anything different about this taliban and the

ones that were ruling afghan in the late 1990s. the only differences they have better pr and more access to social media platforms. the lives of ordinary people in that country is incredibly dire. i'm contacted by women, men, young girls every day who are imprisoned at home, not able to study or leave their house. i find it quite astonishing why afghanistan is different to any other country? why is it when you talk about girls education the un, sustainable goals globally, international development why afghanistan is treated in this way where the international community has shown no solidarity with the women and girls of that country. are women and girls of that country. are ou sa in: women and girls of that country. are you saying that mr ellwood wouldn't made a statement like that in iran? i'm not here to compare and contrast every country has their own unique characteristics and political social climate. it is important to mention that even with the radiant

revolution the entire community and global community, celebrities, as artis stood up and talked about what it means to be a woman in iran for that wasn't be indicted afghanistan? which are protested in kabul where women came out onto the streets despite the fact that there were risks of detention, arrest, killing. these women were protesting against the taliban ends recent ban on beauty salons being able to operate across the country. we saw gunshots and fire hoses being used to disperse the crowd. this is not a change taliban, not a change afghanistan. it does... the video that tobias l word created could pose a very messy situation and risk if it's coming from a british perspective. at that british policy i think it will definitely be gravely naive and dangerous to

continue the path of potential recognition and legitimising the taliban when the people of afghanistan have never been listened to. tobias ellwood says he has a sacredness because his brother was killed in a sacredness because his brother was killed it'd talavera taliban attack.— taliban attack. that's why he's -auttin taliban attack. that's why he's putting such — taliban attack. that's why he's putting such a _ taliban attack. that's why he's putting such a focus _ taliban attack. that's why he's putting such a focus on - taliban attack. that's why he's| putting such a focus on stability taliban attack. that's why he's . putting such a focus on stability in the country. do you have any sympathy with the video he's put out? ., , ., , sympathy with the video he's put out? .,, .,, ., ., sympathy with the video he's put out? .,, .,, , ., sympathy with the video he's put out? , ., ., out? tobias ellwood is a good man and a good — out? tobias ellwood is a good man and a good mp _ out? tobias ellwood is a good man and a good mp and _ out? tobias ellwood is a good man and a good mp and i've _ out? tobias ellwood is a good man and a good mp and i've washed - out? tobias ellwood is a good man | and a good mp and i've washed him with my— and a good mp and i've washed him with my own eyes rush out to save the lives _ with my own eyes rush out to save the lives in — with my own eyes rush out to save the lives in west minister and 2017. the video— the lives in west minister and 2017. the video sadly is indefensible for the pie _ the video sadly is indefensible for the pie was completely shocked by it. i the pie was completely shocked by it i can't _ the pie was completely shocked by it. i can't believe it exists. i have — it. i can't believe it exists. i have nothing to add beyond what's already— have nothing to add beyond what's already said. the taliban were kicked — already said. the taliban were kicked out of government for a long time by— kicked out of government for a long time by a _ kicked out of government for a long time bya nato—led, not kicked out of government for a long time by a nato—led, not bush, time bya nato—led, not bush, not htare _ time bya nato—led, not bush, not htare the _ time bya nato—led, not bush, not blare the whole of nato in 2001 because — blare the whole of nato in 2001 because they murdered thousands of people _ because they murdered thousands of

people in_ because they murdered thousands of people in new york. they are the same _ people in new york. they are the same operation for that they take their conviction from religious fundamental conviction, they do not respond _ fundamental conviction, they do not respond to— fundamental conviction, they do not respond to pressure from the british embassy— respond to pressure from the british embassy that doesn't exist and should — embassy that doesn't exist and should not exist. i have and then sympathy— should not exist. i have and then sympathy for his personal circumstances but i am amazed that he thinks _ circumstances but i am amazed that he thinks anything of that video is the answer. he thinks anything of that video is the answer-— the answer. we're pointing the finer at the answer. we're pointing the finger at tobias _ the answer. we're pointing the finger at tobias ellwood - the answer. we're pointing the finger at tobias ellwood but i the answer. we're pointing the i finger at tobias ellwood but quite honestly, this was always the risk with the peace agreement that the us side. there was never a mention of women and that peace agreement. there was no women's rights enshrined in the document. how afghanistan is going to be reorganised was left fully up to the negotiations between the taliban and the afghan government. who fled. we shouldn't be surprised that the situation is as it is. and maybe it's a little unfairjust to point the finger solely at tobias ellwood.

the progress at the women of afghanistan made over the last 20 years has been completely erased because brutality has been reinstated by the taliban. the one piece of leverage that remains, because aid is already stymied was the idea of recognition. i do believe that by this video it makes it seem as though this mp is recognising the taliban hands control and their government and even referring to it as such. it's problematic because it takes away the international community has the wedge to use is the recognition. i think that really hurts their position. think that really hurts their osition. ~ ., ., ., position. we will have to leave it there. thank _ position. we will have to leave it there. thank you _ position. we will have to leave it there. thank you for _ position. we will have to leave it there. thank you for coming - position. we will have to leave it there. thank you for coming on i there. thank you for coming on the program. i'm sorry to cut you short before the last break but i think we got into a lot of it. it is really important issue that we will certainly come back to. thank you.

president biden has made an unusual intervention in israeli politics. in an interview with the new york times the president said benjamin netanyahu should tread carefully with his controversial judicial reforms. the two leaders have not met since netenyahu regained power in december, amid concerns that the israeli government is drifting to the hard right. in his interview with the times, biden said... this week the bill was back before parliament — it had spurred some big protests in israel. and today an unknown number of israeli reservists withdrew their service. and all of that, as the israeli president isaac herzog addressed the us congress on the strength of the bilateral relationship.

this speech was boycotted by some democrats over israel's policies on palestinians. here's mr herzog. israel and the united states will inevitably disagree on many matters. but we will always remain family. 0ur revolutionary societies have so much to give to the world and so much to learn from each other. 0ur bond may be challenged at times, but it is absolutely unbreakable. the bbc�*s helena humphrey is on capitol hill. we should point out the israeli president is a largely symbolic role. he was there in washington at thejoint session of role. he was there in washington at the joint session of congress it's interesting that mr netanyahu has not been to washington and these comments from joe biden are pretty striking in how forthright they are. they certainly are striking and how forthright they are. i think it's fair to say that president biden is

walking something of a diplomatic type rope in terms of speaking about the israeli cabinet, which he calls one of the most extreme and half a century and policies of netanyahu was at the same time acknowledging the fact that it is a very special relationship between israel and the united states, which goes back 75 years sense the founding of israel. in fact the united states was first country to actually recognise the foundation of israel as a staple that we really saw that come to the fore in his address today from the israeli president herzog who said america is irreplaceable to israel and vice versa. when he entered the chamber, you played that applause, i saw cheers going on for around three minutes. he said the last time the president had delivered this kind of address was 36 years ago when his own father had been delivering this joint address to congress without

certainly a very symbolic relationship here for the as you point out, a largely ceremonial role. then the arrays leap president uses as an opportunity to talk about a range of other issues he said the free world must work together to not allow iran to procure a nuclear weapon. he said that there was a desire for a relationship with saudi arabia in part facilitated, aided in that potential conversation with the united states was up he also said that israel wanted peace with its palestinian neighbors. of course this coming at a time of tension for that what we think about those recent raids that we've seen in the west bank and injanine as well. he did mention the protest, the protest he was speaking about in response to the proposed judicial overhaul to put forward by the prime minister benjamin netanyahu. setting the fact that these protests exist shows that democracy is an action in israel. of

course we know president biden has said that he is concerned about what's going on. he's also spoke about concern for settlement expansion. nevertheless, the president to president it seems that those close ties between the united states and israel are being celebrated here today in washington. how do you see this? republicans are cut a closer relationship in recent years. democrats boycotting the speech today. do you think there will be some sympathy on the right with what president biden has said in the new york times? i with what president biden has said in the new york times?— with what president biden has said in the new york times? i think the resident in the new york times? i think the president role. _ in the new york times? i think the president role, especially - in the new york times? i think the president role, especially this - in the new york times? i think the | president role, especially this week was to— president role, especially this week was to reaffirm our alliance and progress — was to reaffirm our alliance and progress in friendship with israel. yotr've _ progress in friendship with israel. you've seen the president back off a little bit _ you've seen the president back off a little bit of— you've seen the president back off a little bit of what he said about netanyahu and some of the democratic house _ netanyahu and some of the democratic house members who made pretty strong statements— house members who made pretty strong statements this week and try to walk back a _ statements this week and try to walk back a hit— statements this week and try to walk back a bit of their comments. i

think— back a bit of their comments. i think with _ back a bit of their comments. i think with the president of israel said in— think with the president of israel said in his — think with the president of israel said in his address today questioning the people's right to exist. _ questioning the people's right to exist. it's — questioning the people's right to exist, it's not legitimate diplomacy as he _ exist, it's not legitimate diplomacy as he said. — exist, it's not legitimate diplomacy as he said, it's a anti—semitism. with— as he said, it's a anti—semitism. with anti—semitism on the rise in the united — with anti—semitism on the rise in the united states and across the world _ the united states and across the world it — the united states and across the world it is — the united states and across the world it is increasingly important for our— world it is increasingly important for our president and our country to be putting _ for our president and our country to be putting forward a friendship, a strong _ be putting forward a friendship, a strong support of israel, not questioning or calling it a racist state~ — questioning or calling it a racist state. ., .. questioning or calling it a racist state. ., ., ., , state. tom, react to that. president biden has been _ state. tom, react to that. president biden has been pretty _ state. tom, react to that. president biden has been pretty outspoken i state. tom, react to that. president biden has been pretty outspoken on foreign _ biden has been pretty outspoken on foreign affairs — biden has been pretty outspoken on foreign affairs for— biden has been pretty outspoken on foreign affairs for literally— biden has been pretty outspoken on foreign affairs for literally 50 - foreign affairs for literally 50 years — foreign affairs for literally 50 years in— foreign affairs for literally 50 years in washington, - foreign affairs for literally 50 years in washington, dc. - foreign affairs for literally 50 years in washington, dc. i. foreign affairs for literally 50 l years in washington, dc. i find foreign affairs for literally 50 - years in washington, dc. i find it quite _ years in washington, dc. i find it quite commendable _ years in washington, dc. i find it quite commendable that - years in washington, dc. i find it quite commendable that he - years in washington, dc. i find it quite commendable that he is. years in washington, dc. i find it - quite commendable that he is making it clear— quite commendable that he is making it clear what _ quite commendable that he is making it clear what his _ quite commendable that he is making it clear what his underlying _ quite commendable that he is making it clear what his underlying views - it clear what his underlying views are. it clear what his underlying views are i_ it clear what his underlying views are ithought— it clear what his underlying views are. i thought it _ it clear what his underlying views are. i thought it was _ it clear what his underlying views are. i thought it was admirable . it clear what his underlying views i are. i thought it was admirable that he was _ are. i thought it was admirable that he was openly— are. i thought it was admirable that he was openly pro—irish _ are. i thought it was admirable that he was openly pro—irish and - he was openly pro—irish and sceptical— he was openly pro—irish and sceptical about— he was openly pro—irish and sceptical about what- he was openly pro—irish and sceptical about what britain| he was openly pro—irish and - sceptical about what britain had done _ sceptical about what britain had done on — sceptical about what britain had done on brexit_ sceptical about what britain had done on brexit when _ sceptical about what britain had done on brexit when he - sceptical about what britain had done on brexit when he was. sceptical about what britain had . done on brexit when he was here. sceptical about what britain had - done on brexit when he was here. i think— done on brexit when he was here. i think ultimately, _ done on brexit when he was here. i think ultimately, the _ done on brexit when he was here. i think ultimately, the israel- done on brexit when he was here. i think ultimately, the israel and - done on brexit when he was here. i think ultimately, the israel and usi think ultimately, the israel and us attiance _ think ultimately, the israel and us attiance witi— think ultimately, the israel and us alliance will certainly— think ultimately, the israel and us alliance will certainly endure. - think ultimately, the israel and us alliance will certainly endure. we i

alliance will certainly endure. we know _ alliance will certainly endure. we know very — alliance will certainly endure. we know very well _ alliance will certainly endure. we know very well what _ alliance will certainly endure. we know very well what it's - alliance will certainly endure. we know very well what it's like - alliance will certainly endure. we . know very well what it's like having to preserve — know very well what it's like having to preserve a — know very well what it's like having to preserve a historic— know very well what it's like having to preserve a historic alliance - know very well what it's like having to preserve a historic alliance will. to preserve a historic alliance will not necessarily _ to preserve a historic alliance will not necessarily agreeing - to preserve a historic alliance will not necessarily agreeing with - to preserve a historic alliance will| not necessarily agreeing with that luy not necessarily agreeing with that guy in_ not necessarily agreeing with that guy in a _ not necessarily agreeing with that guy in a temporary— not necessarily agreeing with that guy in a temporary position. - not necessarily agreeing with that guy in a temporary position. we l guy in a temporary position. we literally— guy in a temporary position. we titeratty hetd _ guy in a temporary position. we literally held donald _ guy in a temporary position. we literally held donald trump - guy in a temporary position. we i literally held donald trump hand. i don't _ literally held donald trump hand. i don't think— literally held donald trump hand. i don't think that — literally held donald trump hand. i don't think that ultimately - literally held donald trump hand. i don't think that ultimately the - literally held donald trump hand. i don't think that ultimately the us i don't think that ultimately the us and israeti — don't think that ultimately the us and israeli alliance _ don't think that ultimately the us and israeli alliance will _ don't think that ultimately the us and israeli alliance will be - and israeli alliance will be threatened. _ and israeli alliance will be threatened. it's— and israeli alliance will be threatened. it's difficult, i and israeli alliance will be - threatened. it's difficult, what netanyahu _ threatened. it's difficult, what netanyahu is _ threatened. it's difficult, what netanyahu is doing _ threatened. it's difficult, what netanyahu is doing is- threatened. it's difficult, what netanyahu is doing is very- threatened. it's difficult, what. netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptahte _ netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptable for— netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptable for them _ netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptable for them israel- netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptable for them israel is l netanyahu is doing is very clearly unacceptable for them israel is a | unacceptable for them israel is a smatt— unacceptable for them israel is a small country— unacceptable for them israel is a small country of— unacceptable for them israel is a small country of highly _ unacceptable for them israel is a i small country of highly education, highty— small country of highly education, highly politically _ small country of highly education, highly politically engaged - small country of highly education, highly politically engaged peoplei highly politically engaged people and they— highly politically engaged people and they can _ highly politically engaged people and they can see _ highly politically engaged people and they can see it _ highly politically engaged people and they can see it stinks. - highly politically engaged people and they can see it stinks. it- highly politically engaged people and they can see it stinks. it will| and they can see it stinks. it will be quite — and they can see it stinks. it will be quite strange _ and they can see it stinks. it will be quite strange if— and they can see it stinks. it will be quite strange if biden was. and they can see it stinks. it will. be quite strange if biden was afraid to say— be quite strange if biden was afraid to say that — be quite strange if biden was afraid to sa that. a, be quite strange if biden was afraid to sa that. ._ ., , ., be quite strange if biden was afraid to sa that. ., , ., , to say that. okay. lots of people have thoughts — to say that. okay. lots of people have thoughts on _ to say that. okay. lots of people have thoughts on that _ to say that. okay. lots of people have thoughts on that on - have thoughts on that on either side. you can get in touch with us if you just agree on that. we will go to a short break. thank you, helen. bbc news bringing you different stories from across the uk. end of five years of intensive medical training, butjust the start of their careers in medical practice. it's my pleasure to present to you graduates from the faculty

of health, education, medicine and social care. it all began back in 2018, when the anglia ruskin medical school welcomed its first hundred students. the university vice chancellor acknowledged that when it opened, the county had some of the highest patient to gp ratios in the country and things have got more challenging since then. but what did the students make of their course? i remember being with patients who were palliative, which means that they have a terminal illness and they're going to die soon. and it was just a privilege because itjust really made me think about the beauty of life. i've came here, i've trained here. i've been given a lot of opportunity from the area. so i want to give something back to the local community. it's hoped these graduates will be part of the government's recently announced workforce strategy. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. welcome back there are red alerts for extreme heat in place in most of italy's main cities

at the moment, as that heatwave intensifies across europe. we are somewhere near the peak. a new record ai.8c was recorded in the capital rome on tuesday. and 23 cities in italy there is a high alert in place — from trieste in the north—east to messina in the south—west. that means the heat is a threat to everybody, notjust the more vulnerable groups. here we're sweltering in these record temperatures without a majority of us recommends we need to react to what we're seeing some of these dramatic pictures are on a screen all the time. but something happens when government puts the cost of that, penalties for dry voters, we started france, we might see it in spain in the next few days with that we witness his in london. self—interest takes over. which might explain why some governments are betraying some of their commitments that they've made.

if you were listening last night natalie touchy gave it a name, she calls it greenlash for the customers or go to the fuel pumps are expected to pay agree levies, they take out their frustrations at the ballot box which gives governments leeway to rollback promises. what do you think? i rollback promises. what do you think? . ., �* rollback promises. what do you think? �* rollback promises. what do you think? ., , rollback promises. what do you think? �* ., think? i can't disagree with any of that. it's exactly _ think? i can't disagree with any of that. it's exactly what _ think? i can't disagree with any of that. it's exactly what happens. . think? i can't disagree with any of that. it's exactly what happens. i | that. it's exactly what happens. i think your weather forecaster was saying about half an hour ago that todayis saying about half an hour ago that today is the anniversary of the plus a0 temperatures in this country which at the time look rightly described as a turning point in terms of peoples attitudes for the acceptance that this is an emergency. i don't know much but two that any normal person has done to change their ways as a consequence of what they now accept as an emergency. if your government facing all manner of problems inflation, mortgages and so on and so forth it's extremely hard for you... rishi sunak sssttt tells voters to hold their nerve. it's hard for them to say you hold your nerves and i will

stick with these extra because you need to pay to deal with the environment when he knows that as a small country i% of the population there is very little that he can do. is he tries to inflict costs of solving this problem people on whiles they are smart enough to realise that it isn't going to change very much then it's just misfiring, a broker aspect of democratic politics. that is the big challenge for solving the green question in the years ahead. you see it as a national _ question in the years ahead. you see it as a national level— question in the years ahead. you see it as a national level but _ question in the years ahead. you see it as a national level but you - question in the years ahead. you see it as a national level but you also - it as a national level but you also see it at a local level. a lot of people in london have turned on the mayor, the city can't and the ultralow emissions in the city. it is the reason the tories are behind the pole and experts on thursday. in spain we've got a right wing government leading in the polls, partnering saying to water down legislation. it doesn't matter what colour the party as it goes right across the board

that some of these policies are so unpopular that they can't get it through on the ballot box. that's individual responsibility for climate change. that's on all of us. it's timing, isn't it? may in 1997 and benign economic circumstances at and benign economic circumstances at a wildly popular government you'd say look, we have to take action on this matter of a serious issue now and it's gonna cost you. it's much harder to do that now. and city can't wear so many people who live in london's outer borough and not london's richest people can't afford to replace the car and is them that they get punished the most. that is highly popular thing to do. he'll probably write it out because it could serve as a so unpopular. that's probably ultimately to his advantage. i think what you have to do is present green unifying the economy as an opportunityjust not a

cause at the start of the pandemic rishi sunak launched the green it sounded fantastic. i spent ages try to get my home and it was scrapped after eight months. you've got to work harder. it depresses me what natalie told us last night because i've always talked to republicans and said it doesn't matter what donald trump did in the white house, it doesn't matter what a republican president in 2020 five might do because of the local level, at a mayoral level everybody�*s working towards the same end. this suggests that's not the case.— that's not the case. when the issue feels so overwhelming _ that's not the case. when the issue feels so overwhelming and - that's not the case. when the issue feels so overwhelming and you - that's not the case. when the issue | feels so overwhelming and you think you can't— feels so overwhelming and you think you can't make a difference people tend to _ you can't make a difference people tend to just you can't make a difference people tend tojust think you can't make a difference people tend to just think about their personal— tend to just think about their personal contribution and think welt, _ personal contribution and think welt, i— personal contribution and think well, i can't change it all so why try? _ well, i can't change it all so why try? unfortunately i think that's what _ try? unfortunately i think that's what you're seeing for the people are realising how high the costs

are on — are realising how high the costs are. on top of because that already rising _ are. on top of because that already rising in— are. on top of because that already rising in other areas for that we talked — rising in other areas for that we talked about food and housing and energy— talked about food and housing and energy prices are up. so seeing some of these _ energy prices are up. so seeing some of these green deals that are only going _ of these green deals that are only going to _ of these green deals that are only going to increase... the of these green deals that are only going to increase. . ._ going to increase... the danger is that an opposition _ going to increase... the danger is that an opposition party _ going to increase... the danger is that an opposition party says - going to increase... the danger is that an opposition party says the l that an opposition party says the quickest way to get in is actually undermined green policies of the other government because people vote for that. ., �* , other government because people vote forthat. . �*, ., a .,, for that. that's politics. as harsh as that is that's _ for that. that's politics. as harsh as that is that's politics - for that. that's politics. as harsh as that is that's politics with - for that. that's politics. as harsh as that is that's politics with the | as that is that's politics with the people — as that is that's politics with the people are willing to do it to win. unfortunately, that is where were at. we will have to leave it there for that we're almost out of time. i crash last break. we will call it a day for the lovely to see you. i'm away tomorrow but the programme goes on and i will be back with you on tuesday thank you very much for watching. good night.

hello for the bbc sport centaur. we'll start with cricket, where england reduced australia to 299—8 at the end of day one of the fourth ashes test. chris woakes got four wickets and there were two for stuart broad, who reached the milestone of 600 test wickets. let's get the story of the day from our sports correspondentjoe wilson. this man has dismissed more australians and any other english cricketer. maybe that's what keeps to a broad looking so young. here he was. wait, come on empire. yup, that was. wait, come on empire. yup, that was the start at old trafford. and david warner didn't last long for the eye—catcher base though, are

wicked for wags was or what about steve smith? he was very strong and settled in at lunch. remember that particular urgency of the situation with poor weather forecast at the weekend. things needed to happen here. first bowler mark wood, lbw, knows that the empire. he has countered the replay on review. england held smith for a1. and on 51 head on. here comes the review. there is the england reaction to the right his reaction on the left. travis had eventually did what england wanted for that misfit to joe root and that was stuart brad's hundredth test match wicked put it in a sport of statistics and outstanding numberfor in a sport of statistics and outstanding number for that it's a team game. outstanding number for that it's a team game-— outstanding number for that it's a team ame. ., ., ., , . team game. you want to achieve epic they always — team game. you want to achieve epic they always made _ team game. you want to achieve epic they always made a _ team game. you want to achieve epic they always made a lot _ team game. you want to achieve epic they always made a lot more - team game. you want to achieve epic they always made a lot more when i team game. you want to achieve epici they always made a lot more when you manage to take wickets to text match wins. as a team we had a pretty decent day for that mitchell marshall hit anyone for four. he

made 51 watch the catch to dismiss and for the 299—8 close work to do. jonny bairstow vindicated. austria's felix gall won stage 17 of the tour de france, but defending champion jonas vingegaard was the biggest winner — he now leads by over seven and half minutes with four stages left. the dane, who won the tour last year, rode away from his nearest challenger tadej pogacar on the highest mountain of this year's race. pogacar conceded defeat mid—stage, saying "i'm gone, i'm dead" as he lost six minutes to vingegaard and encouraged his team—mate adam yates to ride for a podium place. he gained time to tighten his grip on third place. football transfer news is coming thick and fast. liverpool have agreed a £12 million deal in principle to sell long—standing captain jordan henderson to saudia arabian side al—ettifaq.

he was left out of their preseason friendly in germany this evening and is believed to be discusing personal terms with the club managed by another former liverpool captain, steven gerrard. and manchester city's riyadh mahrez is also heading to the saudi pro league. al—ahli have agreed to pay £30 million for the algerian winger. the women's football world cup gets started tomorrow. it's being hosted by australia and new zealand — with the latter kicking it all off against norway. england are among the 32 teams taking part — and one of the favourites. our sports correspondent, katie gornall, reports from brisbane where the lionesses will play their first game on saturday. this is a world cup reaching new heights. for the first time, the tournament has come to the southern hemisphere, with australia and new zealand welcoming the world. it's the biggest women's world cup to date — perhaps even the best. the level has grown incredibly in the last ten years, and the best are coming here.

the best are playing here in new zealand, they're playing in australia. so the entertainment is assured and guaranteed. such was the demand for tickets in sydney that fifa moved the matildas' opener with ireland here to stadium australia, the biggest venue in the tournament. this women's world cup is set to break all kinds of records, from viewing figures to tickets sold. but what will really help capture the public�*s imagination is excitement on the pitch. but for all the excitement on the pitch, many teams face problems off it. jamaica had to crowdfund to travel to the tournament, while at the other end of the scale, england are in a pay dispute with the fa over bonuses. you know, we want to keep pushing the game further thanjust being like, "ok, this is where we're sitting." it's something that we do regularly, every single tournament, every single year is what's next, how we can push the game on. this world cup has already broken new ground.

the question is, will there be a new name on the trophy come august? katie gornall, bbc news, in brisbane. you will be able to follow every kick of the women's world cup, you won't miss a thing, on bbc sounds and bbc tv. hello. i wonder if you remember what you were doing this time last year? well, chances are you were sweating. yes, it was the uk's hottest day on record — a0.3 celsius recorded in lincolnshire. fast—forward to today — what a different story. one year later, a lot of cloud around, some showers, and temperatures at best into the low 20s. now the day's showers are starting to fade away, so for many of us, the weather will become drier over the next few hours. a few showers pushing into the far north of scotland, though. quite a cool kind of night forjuly, with temperatures dipping down in single figures — scotland, northern ireland, wales and western areas of england. so a cool start to the day on thursday for the early—risers, but there should be plenty of dry

weather and sunshine. showers will start to develop, and i think the greatest risk of seeing some of those showers will be across northern and eastern scotland, and into parts of northeast england. elsewhere, there should be some pretty big gaps between the showers — that means there'll be quite a few of you that stay dry all day. temperatures a little bit below average, but in thejuly sunshine should still feel 0k. friday, a largely dry picture with some sunshine for england and wales, but for scotland and northern ireland, this time, we'll see some thicker cloud working off the atlantic, with outbreaks of rain pushing in from the west through the day. those temperatures struggling — 16—17 degrees, not great in the north, and even 21 in london, that's still 2—3 degrees below average forjuly. the jet stream pattern this weekend, well, we keep the trough to the west of the uk that keeps our weather unsettled. it's this ridge in the jet stream that's been responsible for the extreme heat in europe and, if anything, that ridge is moving a little bit further eastwards — and so too will the highest temperatures. so, we're starting to see some indications that we could see some extreme heat in parts of greece this

weekend, maybe even getting quite close to the all—time european temperature record. we'll keep a close eye on that. no chance of anything particularly hot, though, for the uk this weekend. it will, though, be particularly wet — and particularly for england and wales, outbreaks of rain moving in here, becoming heavy and persistent, and lasting right into sunday. scotland and northern ireland on saturday, yes, you get some rain, as well. wherever you are, it'll tend to be on the cool side, with temperatures for many of us around 17—18 celsius. but at least for scotland and northern ireland, the rain should pull away a little bit on sunday to allow something a bit brighter into the afternoon. and then, next week, well, we've got some further showers in the forecast. that's it for now.