good morning, it saturday the 29th ofjuly. more than 20,000 workers from the rmt union are taking part in strike action over payjobs and working conditions. in strike action over pay “obs and working conditions._ in strike action over pay “obs and working conditions. more than half of all trains— working conditions. more than half of all trains will _ working conditions. more than half of all trains will be _ working conditions. more than half of all trains will be cancelled - of all trains will be cancelled today with serbs are starting later and finishing earlier. here is katie austin. —— with services starting later. for the second saturday in a row, some of the 1a affected train operators are running very limited services. after more than a year of industrial action, many people have got used to changing their plans or found other ways of travelling on strike days. but hospitality businesses say they're still feeling the impact. every time there is a strike day, we do see trade fall off a cliff in certain parts of the country, certainly towns and city centres. you know, the last week we've had

sort of three strike days that affect the rail. we've had an overtime ban during the course of that week. we know that we've lost around £340 million worth of sales across the uk. right now there aren't any more full strikes in the diary, and unions have to give two weeks notice of action. but further walkouts are very possible. and after today's strike by rail workers in the rmt, the train drivers union aslef has two more overtime bans coming up at 15 operators from this monday until saturday the 5th of august, and again from monday the 7th to saturday the 12th of august. those are likely to mean disruption in some places. the rmt and aslef rejected the train compa ny�*s latest offers back in the spring, which set out changes to ways of working in exchange for pay increases. government ministers and the industry continue to insist their proposals were fair and have given no indication they'll change them. clearly, we've been negotiating with the leadership of the rmt for over a year now and it's real... it's a real shame that the offer that we made to them worth 13%

in terms of an increase in pay for the lowest paid has not been put to their membership, which would have brought this industrial dispute to an end. when it comes to the disputes on the railway, it feels like we're still far from the end of the line. katy austin, bbc news. let's go to euston station and join our reporter simonjones. we can see the picket line behind you and it would normally be very busy but tell us what it is like today.— us what it is like today. passengers arrivin: us what it is like today. passengers arriving here _ us what it is like today. passengers arriving here this _ us what it is like today. passengers arriving here this morning - us what it is like today. passengers arriving here this morning are - us what it is like today. passengers | arriving here this morning are being greeted by pet behind me. the the government plans to shut hundreds of ticket offices behind me have harden the

when it comes to dispute on the railway, it feels like we are still far from the end of the line. wildfires have left a trail of destruction across parts of southern europe and the mediterranean in greece. emergency services tried to present a new wildfire in the central area of magnesia. fires they triggered an explosion at an air force ammunition depot. they said the outlook is improving for firefighters and ells of curfew and ever the end. let's go live to our correspondent. what is the latest where you are?—

correspondent. what is the latest where you are? we've been told that around 50 new _ where you are? we've been told that around 50 new fires _ where you are? we've been told that around 50 new fires have _ where you are? we've been told that around 50 new fires have broken - where you are? we've been told that| around 50 new fires have broken out, and although the situation as you say is improving in general, firefighters, quite a large crew of firefighters, quite a large crew of firefighters are still hard at work here on rhodes and also on corfu and in the peloponnese. some of the new fires, some of them flare—ups of all from virus, because you have to imagine the ground is still smouldering in many cases in these forest areas. it doesn't take much forest areas. it doesn't take much for a spark to fly in these very windy conditions that we have been seeing over the last few days, and have set off new places. people here still very much on high alert. there are also beginning to count the cost of the fires that have ravaged parts of the fires that have ravaged parts of this island. we have been told that 50,000 olive trees were destroyed here, and around 2500 animals and beehives destroyed. {sine

animals and beehives destroyed. give us a sense of— animals and beehives destroyed. give us a sense of how this is being dealt with. our authorities having to respond to fires as and when they crop up, or i'll be able to take preventative action? —— i be able to take preventative action. it is preventative action? -- i be able to take preventative action.— take preventative action. it is a mixture. they _ take preventative action. it is a mixture. they are _ take preventative action. it is a mixture. they are trying - take preventative action. it is a mixture. they are trying to - take preventative action. it is a - mixture. they are trying to prevent the spread of new flare—ups, they are trying to cut down brush areas that are flammable, and in other places they are having to respond to the outbreak of new fires. we are yesterday from one greek minister who said a number of these fires have been caused by what he called human hands. it is either through criminal negligence or intent, but he said the other factor has very much been the weather, what he called the unprecedented heatwave that greece has been facing. the fears are, among people we have been speaking to here on rhodes, people who very much depend on tourism for

their livelihoods, rhodes is one of greece's top tourist attractions. they are worried about the future, they are worried about the rest of they are worried about the rest of the summer, there is about a third of rhodes that are still not been evacuated where people cannot go, but plenty of people here on the island are enjoying the summer, but people are worried about the future and the image of their island. 0ne restaurant owner told us they need to show that people are still 0k to come here. to west africa, where niger is grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. niger's democratically elected president mohamed bazoum was overthrown and detained as part of the coup this week. he was first elected to office in april 2021 in niger's first peaceful democratic transfer of power. us secretary of state antony blinken has called for mr bazoum's immediate release — and the restoration of democratic order in the country. meanwhile, the man who led the coup

— general abdourahmane tchiani — made this address on state tv. translation: the action of the cns p has been motivated _ translation: the action of the cns p has been motivated by _ translation: the action of the cns p has been motivated by the _ translation: the action of the cns p has been motivated by the desire - translation: the action of the cns p has been motivated by the desire to i has been motivated by the desire to protect our homeland in the face of the continuing deterioration of the security situation of our country. the foreign authorities have failed to give a real solution to the crisis, and have provided poor economic and social governance. live now to our correspondent, chris ewokor in neighbouring nigeria. the general says he is the president now, what does that mean for niger? it is surprising to many people when general abdourahamane tchiani lead blames on the outage president, mohamed bazoum, because he was also part of the government, he was the

head of the security cards of the president. basically, taking over the reins of leadership in niger, he has suspended the constitution and also dissolved some state institutions. in fact, also dissolved some state institutions. infact, on also dissolved some state institutions. in fact, on friday evening, he met with the top civil servants in the country, obviously trying to woo their support, and consolidate his grip on power. the outcome of that meeting is not yet known, howeverthere outcome of that meeting is not yet known, however there have been strong responses against this coup. the sub regional bloc will be meeting on sunday, hosted by the nigerian president to try to respond to the coup in niger. i am also aware that the french president, emanuel macron, is expected to chair a security meeting on the niger two

situation. of course, france has about 1500 troops in that country, and niger is one of the key allies remaining for the west in the subregion, and this incident, or these developments, they risk in a way affecting the support that the country will be receiving, especially from the international community. we have heard the us secretary of state antony blinken spoke kitten to the ousted president on friday, —— has spoken to the ousted president on friday, and has urged niger to return to constitutional democracy.

lets get more on our top story this error. up to 20,000 rail workers are taking action today. the rmt secretary says he does not know how long it could ask —— it could last. we are available to negotiate at any time, we don't know how long it will last, but everyone knows what the issues are. the government is in control of what the operating company say to us and when they speak to us, and they are not allowing them to come back to the table was revisions to the proposals. we are available to do that, but at the moment we have a situation where cuts are being imposed, 2300 job cuts, every booking office in the country is going to close, most stations will be completely staffed, you will get assistance for elderly or disabled people who need assistance, and they want to put everyone through an app or websites which will mean they will sell the tickets they want at

the maximum profit, so we need a settlement to this dispute, but it's down to the government to enable that, and at the moment they are not doing it. that, and at the moment they are not doin: it. �* , that, and at the moment they are not doin: it. d ., that, and at the moment they are not doin: it. �*, ., ., ., doing it. let's go live to our correspondent _ doing it. let's go live to our correspondent simon - doing it. let's go live to our| correspondent simon jones, doing it. let's go live to our- correspondent simon jones, who is at correspondent simonjones, who is at the picket line. we heard mick lynch standing firm as he always does. what have you on the picket line did seem to you this morning? they say they are determined to seem to you this morning? they say they are determine— they are determined to continue the strike action — they are determined to continue the strike action as _ they are determined to continue the strike action as long _ they are determined to continue the strike action as long as _ they are determined to continue the strike action as long as is _ strike action as long as is necessary, because this dispute has now been going on for more than a year. people arriving, wanting to get on trend this morning at euston, are facing a reduced service. the first thing they see is this picket line behind me, that in terms of this dispute, there is no quick resolution in sight. you heard the rmt saying they do not know how long it will last. they do have a mandate to continue the strike action until november, so we are expecting more strike dates to be called after this

one. as regards the government, they say they have been a fair and reasonable offer to the rmt, a 5% pay rise backdated to last year and then they would continue negotiations for this year's pay increase based on changes to working practices. the rmt says actually we need to sort out the threat ofjob cuts first of all, and this idea of closing hundreds of ticket stations in england really has hardened the resolve for people here on the picket line. that is why they say they are determined to carry on. the government are saying they want to close those tickets stations because fewer people are actually buying tickets at ticket stations, they are using machines or buying tickets online. the government is insisting that many of the staff were working currently and taken stations will actually be redeployed onto concourses to help people there. the rmt say they simply don't trust that

promise. rmt say they simply don't trust that romise. ,, ., g ., , ., rmt say they simply don't trust that romise. . ., g ., , ., , ., promise. simon jones at euston station for _ promise. simon jones at euston station for us, _ promise. simon jones at euston station for us, thank _ promise. simon jones at euston station for us, thank you - promise. simon jones at euston station for us, thank you very i promise. simon jones at euston - station for us, thank you very much. meanwhile, the port of dover has warned that people has warned that people traveling to continental europe are waiting up to two hours to clear border controls. it's asking travellers to be patient and check with their ferry operator for information on next sailings. at least four people are feared dead after an australian military helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of queensland. the helicopter came down in an area near to where us and australian soldiers have been taking part injoint military exercises. in the last hour, police in australia have said they've recovered debris from the helicopter, that's according to the afp news agency. australia's defence minister, richard marles, gave more details: the helicopter was engaging in a two helicopter mission, and there were four air crew helicopter mission, and there were

fourair crew aboard. helicopter mission, and there were four air crew aboard. because there was another helicopter present, a search and rescue was able to commence immediately. as we speak to you now, the four air crew are yet to be found in the search and rescue continues. this crash comes as us?secretary of state antony blinken and the defense?secretary lloyd austin are meeting their australian counterparts in brisbane. they're holding talks on the aukus defence agreement, which will see the us supply nuclear submarine technology to australia. live now to sydney and our correspondent phil mercer. what is the latest on this helicopter crash? the wreckage of the helicopter has been discovered in the whitsundays. this is usually a very popular tourist area. the wreckage was found north of hamilton island north of brisbane. navy divers will tomorrow, sunday, begin

to scour the sea bed. there is still no sign of the four people who were on board this australian army helicopter when it ditched into the sea. it was taking part in night—time removers with a second aircraft of the queensland coast, and it is part of talisman sabre, this massive military operation war drill involving australian and united states troops, along with military personnel from almost a dozen other countries. the investigation is now ongoing, and the search for those missing aircrew will also continue over the weekend. studio: as we mentioned, this comes as antony blinken and lloyd austin meet their counterparts. what are they talking about? the helicopter crashes certainly _ they talking about? the helicopter crashes certainly caused _ they talking about? the helicopter crashes certainly caused a - they talking about? the helicopter crashes certainly caused a very - crashes certainly caused a very ominous shadow over these

ministerial talks between senior members of the australian government and the us administration. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, saying that his heart was full of sadness over what had happened off the coast of the queensland coast. they have held these talks in the queensland state capitol, brisbane, and china's ambitions and growing assertiveness in the indo—pacific region have been a key focus of these ministerial talks, along with climate change. and also the aukus agreement. the aukus deal is a security alliance between australia, the united states and the united kingdom, and eventually that will see the transfer of us nuclear powered submarine technology to australia, so a very full agenda, but a meeting, as we say, overshadowed by the tragedy of the crashing australian army helicopter off the coast of queensland. phii

off the coast of queensland. phil mercer for _ off the coast of queensland. phil mercer for us _ off the coast of queensland. phil mercer for us in _ off the coast of queensland. phil mercer for us in sydney, thank you mercerfor us in sydney, thank you very much. let 5 get some of the day 5 other news now. the president of peru, dina boluarte, has apologised for the deaths of dozens of people in protests since she took office. up to 80 peruvian civilians and members of the security forces have died in clashes after the former president pedro castillo was ousted in december. ms boluarte's speech was met with protests in the capital lima, even as she called for national reconciliation. typhoon doksuri made landfall in southern china on friday after wreaking havoc in the philippines and taiwan earlier this week. as many as 36 people were killed in the philippines. doksuri has affected nearly 725,000 people just in china — with almost a quarter of a million people evacuated and causing serious economic damage. the ceremony for america's 75th emmy awards has been postponed due to writers and actors�* strikes

for better pay and working conditions. striking actors are prohibited from participating in publicility until the strike ends. the television awards ceremony had been due to take place on the 18th of september. no new date has not been confirmed. no new date has been confirmed. donald trump has been setting out why he thinks he should be the republican party candidate for next year's candidate for next year's presidential election at a fund—raising event in the us state of iowa. mr trump has already insisted he will still run for office, even if he's convicted of any of the criminal charges he currently faces. 0ur north american editor sarah smith was at the event. there are about 1200 republican supporters in this ballroom this evening, listening to the candidates who then will decide to support in the nomination. of course, the evening was dominated by one man, donald trump. this is the first

speech he was given since the new criminal charges were unveiled against him. it is a man whose legal problems keep piling up and never seem to stop, but he won't let that deter him, and he didn't do that tonight. this was not the best speech he ever gave, he was rushing through his script, trying to stick to the time limit, but he still grabbed everybody�*s attention, and made it all about him. that's what these other candidates are up against, what they are trying to compete with. one of the lesser—known candidates, former congressmen will hurt, he dared to say the only reason donald trump is running for president is to try and stay out of prison. he nearly got booed out of —— booed off the stage for that. booed out of —— booed off the stage forthat. ron booed out of —— booed off the stage for that. ron desantis got a very warm reception. he didn't say donald trump's name, that he did say if he was elected president, his and the

weaponisation of the federal government and fire the director of the fbi. that is his way of saying to trump supporters, i agree with you with the charges against donald trump are politically motivated, but i'm still the guy you should like to put in charge of all of this. when he is having to make that case, it still means this race is all about donald trump, who is still very clearly the front runner in the polls, and very much the man that all the republican candidates have to try and beat. all the republican candidates have to try and beat-— to try and beat. sarah smith there in iowa to try and beat. sarah smith there in iowa for — to try and beat. sarah smith there in iowa for us. _ to germany next, and two people have died trying to escape from a fire in a high rise apartment building in berlin. the fire brigade said the victims eitherjumped or slipped from the 12th floor of the 15 storey block. another person was injured. it's not clear what caused the blaze. the release of the ghostbusters sequel and beyond the spiderverse have been delayed by sony amid the strikes by hollywood actors and writers. the ghostbusters film had been due to be released at christmas

but won't now hit cinemas until easter next year. whilst the spiderman film, which was due to open in march next year, now has no release date. the barbie film juggernaut continues its relentless race across the globe. now makers warner brothers say the picture has now made over half a billion dollars at the global box office. based on the famous toy doll, it dominates the box office in 69 countries and territories. with more on this our correspondent nicky schiller. i'm disappointed not to see you in a pink shirt, but tell us about how this film has been doing? i really should have! _ this film has been doing? i really should have! it— this film has been doing? i really should have! it has _ this film has been doing? i really should have! it has been - this film has been doing? i really should have! it has been doing . should have! it has been doing massively well. warner brothers, who make the movie, they say it has been their biggest seven day box office for a single film in history. it is driven people to go to the cinema more than they have since before the

covid pandemic. it of course, is starring margot robbie and ryan gosling, is the movie based on the famous doll. it has made over $500 million. let me take you through the exact figures we have. it is actually $528 million worldwide, it is dominating the market in 69 countries or territories, and indeed it has been the biggest opening ever in 2a of those, including australia, argentina, new zealand, brazil, cambodia and also mexico. so, what is driving people to go and see the barbie movie? i have mentioned that it is based on the doll, and lots and lots of people will remember that from their childhood, but it is also part of this battle with the film 0ppenheimer as well, the barbenheimer publicity has been driven by that. 0ppenheimer has made $300 million at the box office, so

it is doing amazingly well, and a lot of people are going to see both those movies back to back. as well as the people who would go and see the barbie movie, i think it is also being driven by the fact that people are doing this double bill, they go and see 0ppenheimer, and then they also feel they should go and see the barbie movie in one day as well. part of barbie's success is notjust been at the box office, has it? ida. been at the box office, has it? no, it is also the _ been at the box office, has it? iifr, it is also the soundtrack is well for it has got a lot of music in it, and a lot of it you can sing along to. here in the uk, six of the songs from the soundtracks are in the top 40, indeed to three are in the top five. that is a record. no soundtrack has ever done that before, to have three tracks in the top five. they are, if you have been top five. they are, if you have been to see the movie, you will know them. at number three, what i was made for by billie eilish, and my favourite, # in a barbie world! i

favourite, # in a barbie world! .,, ,, favourite, #inabarbie world! ., # in a barbie world! i hope you are auoin to # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing _ # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me — # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me a _ # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me a bit _ # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me a bit of— # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me a bit of in - # in a barbie world! i hope you are going to sing me a bit of in a - going to sing me a bit of in a barbie world?— going to sing me a bit of in a barbie world? ., ., barbie world? ok... now, a newx loo has barbie world? ok... now, a newx logo has been _ barbie world? ok... now, a newx logo has been installed _ barbie world? ok... now, a newx logo has been installed in - barbie world? ok... now, a newx logo has been installed in the - logo has been installed in the building in san francisco formerly known as twitter�*s headquarters. but city officials have launched an investigation, saying replacing letters or symbols on buildings, or erecting a sign on top of one, requires a permit. canadian rapper drake has revealed that he was the "mystery" buyer of a crown shaped ring that belonged to murdered hip—hop legend tupac shakur. the ring sold at auction earlier this week for a record one million dollars — well above the pre—sale estimate. tupac wore the ring at his final public appearance at the mtv video music awards in september 1996 — a little over a week before he was shot dead

in las vegas aged 25. it's day 10 of the women's world cup. there are three games.— starting with sweden v italy then france take on brazil, and finally panama againstjamaica. it's currently half time in the sweden v italy match — italy made a bright start, but go in the 3-0 italy made a bright start, but go in the 3—0 down after rapid—fire goals from the other side. stay with us on bbc news. hello there. this weekend is not as wet as it was last weekend, where we have a month's worth of rain in places. it is not completely dry either. we are seeing some spells of sunshine, but we will continue to see a scattering of cheryl as well. later in the weekend, this weather system will bring some rain and from the atlantic, but it is that first

area of low pressure that is dominating at the moment, and around it we have no showers coming in on that stronger breeze as well. most of the showers closer to the low, so scotland and northern ireland seeing heavier, more frequent showers and thunder. some of the show push into the north of england, further south the north of england, further south the showers will be hit or miss. we'll be quite breezy, so the show only through fairly quickly. attempts to be limited to 18 or 19 in the west, up to around 21 or 20 to around 21 or 22 in eastern areas. for the test match today, the greatest risk of showers will be early on through the morning session, perhaps around lunchtime. the weather should improve, the cloud breaking up, and more sunshine coming through. for many parts of england and wales, later into the evening will be dry and sunny. further north, the showers will continue. there'll still be around overnight, maybe even longer spells of rain for scotland and northern ireland, increasing its northern parts of england. temperatures coming to the end tomorrow night, typically 12 or 13 degrees. we start

with showers in scotland, northern ireland, northern england. they should be fewer, the cloud then comes in from the atlantic, that brings patchy rain into wales in the south—west through the morning, perhaps extending through the midlands and south—east england through the afternoon, so too across northern ireland. that will limit the temperatures, and on the whole temperatures may be slightly lower, even though what we are seeing today. we are seeing this cooler, wetter weather because the jet stream is further south than it would normally be at this time of the year, and the jet is pushing would normally be at this time of the year, and thejet is pushing in those areas of low pressure from the atlantic, bringing more wind and rain. eventually, the next area of low pressure will move out in scandinavia, and that will introduce a northerly breeze, which will bring even cooler air. as we head into the start of august, you would expect to turn a bit warmer and drier, but thatis turn a bit warmer and drier, but that is not going to be a case. temperatures, if anything, that is not going to be a case. temperatures, ifanything, may that is not going to be a case. temperatures, if anything, may be dropping a bit further, and we have showers or longer spells of rain never too far away.

this is bbc news — the headlines... here in the uk — up to 20,000 rail workers in the rmt union are on strike — for the second weekend in a row. it's part of a long running dispute about pay, jobs

and working conditions. around half the usual services are expected to run across the network. an australian military helicopter has crashed into the sea off the country's eastern coast. the defence minister said a search was underway for four missing crew members. the helicopter came down off the state of queensland — where us and australian soldiers have been taking part in military exercises. donald trump has told a gathering of republicans that he's the only candidate who can win next year's election — and he suggested this is the reason he faces a range of criminal and civil charges. mr trump was addressing a party fundraiser in iowa — with other presidential hopefuls. now on bbc news...the arts interviews: abba — bjorn and benny. abba are one of the most popular groups in musical history, having sold hundreds of millions of albums.

they won the eurovision song contest in 1974 and split up