and teachers in england, from the national education union, vote to accept a 6.5% pay rise and call off their strikes. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live — three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. production of oil and gas in the north sea is to be expanded. the uk government is offering hundreds of new licences for drilling. the prime minister says it will boost britain's energy independence. but environmental campaigners say more drilling for fossil fuels flies in the face of the science around climate change. the government has also announced £20 billion worth of backing for two new carbon capture projects. more on that in a moment from our climate editor —

first, here's our political correspondent ione wells reports. july saw the world heating up. now, political debates around energy and climate change also hotting up, too. the government has said it will back hundreds of new licences for oil and gas production sites like this in the north sea. it's also confirmed it will support two new carbon capture and storage projects in northeast scotland and the humber. these would capture carbon dioxide where fossil fuels are burned and pipe it under the sea to store it. climate campaigners fear it is a tactic to give the fossil fuel industry in business. —— to keep the fossil fuel industry. the prime minister, on a visit to aberdeenshire, argued today's announcements would help the uk reach its net zero target by 2050 while still backing new oil and gas. even in 2050, when we are at net zero, it is forecast that around a quarter of our energy needs will still come from oil and gas. that's why technologies like carbon capture and storage are important. but what is important is that we get

the oil and gas in the best possible way, and that means getting it from here at home. the conservatives have been keen to draw a dividing line with the labour party. labour say it wouldn't back a new oil and gas licences, arguing they would be bad for the climate, not cut bills or create long—term jobs, and would instead focus on investing in renewable alternatives. quite frankly, i am astonished that rishi sunak is doubling down on his failing and weak policy on climate action. businesses and individuals and families have suffered 13 years of failing tory energy policy. that has left us the worst hit of any western european country during this energy crisis. the snp said it is important to keep the oil and gas workforce in scotland employed but have called for a just transition towards greenerjobs. this is a nuanced discussion, it needs a grown—up approach, not the drill, baby, drill approach the westminster government is taking at this point in time, which ignores the reality of energy security in the years to come

and lack of investment they are putting into renewables, but also ignores the reality of the climate crisis that we face. the prime minister faces tensions in his own party too, with some tory mps calling on the prime minister to water down the net—zero target and others accusing him of being on the wrong side of history by backing more oil and gas. dividing lines that are only set to grow as the next election nears. ione wells, bbc news. so would those carbon capture projects announced by the government be enough to offset the new push to drill more oil and gas? here's our climate editorjustin rowlatt. well, "powering up britain from britain" is the prime minister's slogan. he says he wants to max out oil and gas production from uk reserves. many climate scientists and environmentalists say that carbon dioxide emissions from these new projects will bust through the uk's new climate targets.

will the carbon capture and storage project he has announced today offset the emissions? carbon capture and storage plants are designed to trap that planet—warming c02, or take it directly from the atmosphere and store it underground. take this gas—fired power station, for example, as the natural gas is burned to produce electricity, the carbon dioxide are separated out — pumped underground to be stored in empty gas and oil reservoirs. the government has announced investments in a plant in st fergus, on the north sea coast in scotland, and another on the humber. it is already announced plans for two other such plans. government advisers say that this technology is vital to meet net zero climate targets. in most sectors, we can get to zero emissions, but there are still some where we still expect to have some omissions in the future. think of the steel sector, for example or the cement sector.

possibly aviation, even farming. so emissions continuing actually passed 2050 and beyond. so we need carbon capture to reduce emissions to zero in those sectors, or close to zero. and actually to remove previous gas emissions from the atmosphere and store those away too. we also need that carbon capture technology. some environmentalists and climate scientists say that carbon capture and storage is a dangerous distraction, but could give polluters a licence to carry on polluting. in the cash that the government is announcing is to try and kick—start announcing is to try and kick—start a new industry. it will be many years before it will be capable of trapping the millions of tonnes of c02 these new oil and gas fields will produce. and there's another issue — the uk's ability to lead on climate. why would other countries listen if the uk urges them to scale down oil and gas production when it is chasing down its last reserves of oil and gas? we can go live to westminster to talk to the co—leader of the green party, zack polanski.

thanks for being here, your reaction to what's been announced today? the idea that to what's been announced today? tue: idea that burning to what's been announced today? tte: idea that burning fossil fuels in the north sea is a way to get a net zero is frankly laughable if it didn't have such severe consequences. this is blatant greenwashing from our prime minister. and it's a huge distraction from what really needs to be done. the green party are very clear that we need to be investing in renewables — that's good for the claim emergency and to help keep people's costs down during the cost of living crisis. we need to be investing in active transport, making it easier for people to walk and cycle. yet once again, we saw the prime minister stoking up the culture war, pretending there was some big division between motorists and cyclists, when really all people want is cleaner air and the ability to get around safely at the cheapest possible way. let to get around safely at the cheapest possible way-— possible way. let me take it stage b staae, possible way. let me take it stage by stage. the _ possible way. let me take it stage by stage, the government - possible way. let me take it stage by stage, the government has - possible way. let me take it stage | by stage, the government has said it's about energy security and does not detract from their drive to net

zero. you don't accept either of those propositions? tt’s zero. you don't accept either of those propositions? it's absolutely nonsense. these _ those propositions? it's absolutely nonsense. these fuel _ those propositions? it's absolutely nonsense. these fuel companies l those propositions? it's absolutely i nonsense. these fuel companies are multinational and they'll be selling oil and gas on the international market. this will do nothing to lower energy bills. what would lower energy bills is investing in renewables, and if david cameron hadn't "cut the green clap," he uses words, in the 2010s, our bills would be £25 billion less. [30 words, in the 2010s, our bills would be £25 billion less.— be £25 billion less. do you accept that there will _ be £25 billion less. do you accept that there will be _ be £25 billion less. do you accept that there will be gas _ be £25 billion less. do you accept that there will be gas and - be £25 billion less. do you accept that there will be gas and oil - be £25 billion less. do you accept| that there will be gas and oil used after 2050? that there will be gas and oil used after2050? because that there will be gas and oil used after 2050? because net zero depends on all the things you are also doing to cut and offset carbon emissions, can't both things be true that you are doing that whilst also hitting net zero? . , , ., , net zero? ultimately this idea is like pumping — net zero? ultimately this idea is like pumping out _ net zero? ultimately this idea is like pumping out emissions - net zero? ultimately this idea is - like pumping out emissions through a hose and hoping to soak it up just suck it up through a straw. we need to be clear we are in a climate emergency and we need to reduce

inequality in our society. this isn'tjust inequality in our society. this isn't just the inequality in our society. this isn'tjust the government, by inequality in our society. this isn't just the government, by the way, the labour party are not admitting they would revoke these licenses — that is effectively giving an incentive to all these countries to carry on. the labour party, and keir starmer in particular, could stop this today by saying they would revoke these licenses. , . , saying they would revoke these licenses. , . _ ., licenses. they are saying no new licenses. they are saying no new licenses would _ licenses. they are saying no new licenses would be _ licenses. they are saying no new licenses would be granted. - licenses. they are saying no new licenses would be granted. let i licenses. they are saying no new. licenses would be granted. let me return to the carbon capture because what is your assessment of the effectiveness of that? we know the potential of what it can do, but in terms of whether it does enough, what is your assessment on that? it's a dangerous distraction as has been said notjust play the green party, but scientists too. returning to an earlier point, this isn'tjust about saying we need to stop doing things in the future — the very least we could be doing is stopping making things worse right now, and that means no more new oil and gas. also, we need to leave these fossil fuels in the ground, and again, this isn't hard to do, this is about

saying as a country that we are ready to tackle the climate emergency and cost—of—living crisis. but do you expect that if there are no new oil and gas licenses, it leaves the uk open to those hostile foreign actors? we've seen vladimir putin has done and the impact of that, that is the government argument here and part? the government— argument here and part? the government is _ argument here and part? tt;e: government is scaremongering here... but that's what's happened over the last 12 months.— but that's what's happened over the last 12 months. again because we've not invested- _ last 12 months. again because we've not invested. it's _ last 12 months. again because we've not invested. it's very _ last 12 months. again because we've not invested. it's very clear - last 12 months. again because we've not invested. it's very clear with - not invested. it's very clear with the choices are here. we can carry on going down the route that the labour and conservative government are doing, which is ignoring the climate emergency, or going, why don't we tackle inequality in society and have a wealth tax, for instance? text the super—rich, a 1% tax on the 1%. why not have a windfall tax to close the loopholes on gas and oil, making all these active choices that the green party would make as a way of tackling both

the climate emergency and the inequality crisis too. i don't know why the government won't step forward and doing that. zach polansky. — forward and doing that. zach polansky, thanks _ forward and doing that. zach polansky, thanks for- forward and doing that. zach polansky, thanks forjoining us on bbc news. to ukraine now — where kyiv�*s forces have been praised by president zelensky, for their advances around bakhmut — a city of huge symbolic importance in the conflict. russia captured bakhmut earlier this year after almost 12 months of intense fighting. the bbc has been given exclusive access to a team of elite snipers — the ghosts of bakhmut — who are conducting night raids close to the city. 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale joined them on a journey to the front line. we're on our way to a secret location, a place they call "the edge of existence". behind the wheel, the man simply known as ghost. he tells me his team of snipers are all known as the ghosts of bakhmut because they silently bring death.

their base is already well within range of russian artillery. that was close. but they'll be going even closer towards enemy lines. translation: you can hide from artillery, - but not from snipers. and their work is more precise than the shelling. do you know how many russians your team have killed? translation: yes, - the confirmed number is 524. 76 of those are mine. the ghosts have been operating on the edges of bakhmut for the past six months, often looking for high—value russian targets. they record every kill through their sights. kusia will be the marksman for tonight's mission. before the war, he

worked in a factory. translation: when i was a civilian, i didn't like weapons, _ but now i've had to take up arms to defend my country. of course i'm scared. only a fool wouldn't be. a quick blessing. music plays we leave with dusk approaching. the music to lift the mood and mask the sound of artillery. several times, the driver, kuz, warns "incoming". they wear british—supplied uniforms. the insertion of the team can often be the most dangerous part of the mission. from here, they'll have to walk another mile to reach their target. explosion and that's a big explosion.

we soon discover that shrapnel has torn through one of the back tyres. it's a long, nerve—racking limp home. metallic clunking now the anxious wait for the team's return. ghost says he hand—picked each man for their patriotism. while he waits for news, he calls his seven—year—old daughter. he's already taught her how to strip a gun. seven hours later, the two—man team are extracted. early morning, just before the shelling resumes. the relief is palpable. kusia, the sniper, says the mission was a success. just one shot. "one shot, one target," he says. the commander, ghost,

is just relieved they're safe. translation: every trip could be our last. - but we are doing a noble deed. it's also part of ukraine's psychological warfare — killing from a place that can't be seen and with a sound that can't be heard. jonathan beale, bbc news, bakhmut. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has warned war is coming back to russia after a drone attack on the capital moscow. mr zelensky said attacks on russian territory were an "inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair pocess" of the war between the two countries. russia's defence ministry said three ukrainian drones were downed on sunday, with two crashing into offices. retired rear admiral dr chris parry is a former nato commander, joining us from portsmouth. welcome to the programme. we saw in that report from bakhmut the psychological warfare of that sniper

unit — but now you have these attacks on moscow, what do you make of those? ~ , ., attacks on moscow, what do you make of those? ~ , . ., , , of those? well, they are really 'ust --inricks. of those? well, they are really 'ust pinpricks. if— of those? well, they are really 'ust pinpricks. if ukraine i of those? well, they are really 'ust pinpricks. if ukraine were i of those? well, they are really 'ust pinpricks. if ukraine were able h of those? well, they are reallyjust pinpricks. if ukraine were able to l pinpricks. if ukraine were able to actually use the weapons they want to use against russia, like crews and ballistic missiles, then we would see far more damage, of course. these drones don't actually have a very big payload, they are more symbolic than destructive. when we see wider attacks i think on st petersburg and other russian cities, then i think we will see them counting. but it's ukraine's way of just showing they are fighting back and they can actually get at the russian population when they want to. ~ , ., , , to. will there be unease between nato? because _ to. will there be unease between nato? because all— to. will there be unease between nato? because all along - to. will there be unease between nato? because all along this - nato? because all along this process, the weaponry that's been handed over has been expressly to be used on the battlefield within the borders. i know these are drones, but will there be any unease, do you think? t but will there be any unease, do you think? ., �* ~ ,

think? i don't think so. these drones are — think? i don't think so. these drones are homemade, - think? i don't think so. these drones are homemade, as i l think? i don't think so. these - drones are homemade, as i said, they are very light payloads, and they aren't doing very much damage at all. and when you compare it with the devastation that's been visited on ukraine, i think most free world country's sympathies will be with any country that trying to get its own back. ~ ., , ., ~' any country that trying to get its own back. ~ ., , ., ~ ., own back. where do you think we are generally with _ own back. where do you think we are generally with the _ own back. where do you think we are generally with the counteroffensive? | generally with the counteroffensive? because we've had this stretching and probing that's been going on for weeks, what's your assessment of where we are currently? sees weeks, what's your assessment of where we are currently?— weeks, what's your assessment of where we are currently? as we know, i think where we are currently? as we know, i think ukraine _ where we are currently? as we know, i think ukraine has _ where we are currently? as we know, i think ukraine has been _ where we are currently? as we know, i think ukraine has been probing - i think ukraine has been probing away for a couple months now to find weaknesses, and these very heavy russian defensive fortifications — there's three lines of trenches, three times as many minds as you would expect to see, and the artillery of course is cute into attacking anything that approaches the minefield. but we are seeing signs of breakthroughs — just south

of zaporizhzhia, you yourself mentioned bakhmut — i think if the ukrainians can force a way down to the black sea by august, then i think we will see a real game changer in the campaign because it'll mean they're attacking the russians in crimea.— russians in crimea. looking at ictures russians in crimea. looking at pictures coming _ russians in crimea. looking at pictures coming into _ russians in crimea. looking at pictures coming into the - russians in crimea. looking at pictures coming into the bbc l russians in crimea. looking at - pictures coming into the bbc from don yet skipped, some of the fighting around the villages there, everyone is anticipating big reinforcements being used at some stage, if they break through, what does that actually enable you to do militarily? tt does that actually enable you to do militaril ? , , , , , ., militarily? it splits the russian forces, that's _ militarily? it splits the russian forces, that's the _ militarily? it splits the russian forces, that's the first - militarily? it splits the russian forces, that's the first thing. . militarily? it splits the russian forces, that's the first thing. itj forces, that's the first thing. it cuts crimea off from the reinforcements second come from the donbas region in russia, it puts crimea directly under threat from medium—range strikes, and it may even induce the collapse of the russian army in ukraine. it's vital, the russians know that. what the

ukrainians have to look out for is if they drive out to the sea of as off, they will expose their flanks to attacks by the russian air force, andindeed to attacks by the russian air force, and indeed any constituted units that russia can put around the back and into the rear areas of them. so they'll be cautious, they'll consolidate, and frankly they have to get rid of russian formations as they appear. 50 to get rid of russian formations as they appear-— they appear. so much depends on whether they _ they appear. so much depends on whether they are _ they appear. so much depends on whether they are successful - they appear. so much depends on whether they are successful in - they appear. so much depends on | whether they are successful in that breakthrough. if they are not — where are you in terms of where we are in the timeline on this work was mike i was listening to one military expert this morning saying they could see a situation where you spend the next year giving more capacity to the ukrainian forces — a year or two is not out of the equation. what do you think? t’m year or two is not out of the equation. what do you think? i'm of the view that if _ equation. what do you think? i'm of the view that if we _ equation. what do you think? i'm of the view that if we don't _ equation. what do you think? i'm of the view that if we don't get - equation. what do you think? i'm of the view that if we don't get a - the view that if we don't get a breakthrough during this campaigning season, i think we'll find russia and ukraine moving towards a position where they'll be looking,

perhaps exploring ways in which this conflict can end. russia i think is in power transition at the moment, i don't think vladimir putin is any longer in power. he's the front man, the puppet, and there other forces moving now to take over. ukraine is of course exhausted, economically and politically, and needs to get some results. i was saying to someone earlier on today, countries don't tend to mind taking casualties as long as their objectives are being achieved. when those objectives are not being achieved, even the smallest number of casualties becomes a problem. we saw that with the american campaigns in vietnam and elsewhere. so ukraine will have to have something to show for its effort and sacrifice soon, otherwise things will look fairly bright for the russians, because they'lljust hold out and wait for the ukrainians to crack. ihie they'lljust hold out and wait for the ukrainians to crack. we have to leave it there _ the ukrainians to crack. we have to leave it there but _ the ukrainians to crack. we have to leave it there but thanks _ the ukrainians to crack. we have to leave it there but thanks so - the ukrainians to crack. we have to leave it there but thanks so much l leave it there but thanks so much forjoining us here on the programme, thanks for your time.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. rail passengers are facing more disruption this week, because of a ban on overtime by train drivers. aslef union members at 15 train companies in england are refusing to work extra hours from today until saturday. they're involved in a long—running dispute over their pay offer, which train companies say is fair and reasonable. banks offering unjustifiably low savings rates to their customers will face "robust action", the uk's financial watchdog has said. the financial conduct authority's has now set out a 14—point plan to make sure that providers are communicating with savers more effectively and interest rates are passed on "appropriately". threejust stop oil protesters who threw orange powder onto the pitch during an ashes test at lord's cricket ground have denied aggravated trespass. judit murray, daniel knorr, and jacob bourne, are accused

of running onto the pitch during the second test match between england and australia on 28june. they pleaded not guilty at westminster magistrates' court and will go on trial on 28 september. you're live with bbc news. members of the largest teaching union have accepted a 6.5% pay rise for teachers in england and voted to end strikes. the national education union had staged seven days of strikes in state schools in england since february. both sides in the dispute said, the pay offer was "properly funded" and would not come from existing school budgets. our education correspondent hazel shearing has more. so it's summer holidays, so it's so it's summer holidays, so its quiet outside this secondary school here in leeds. but back in february here, teachers were holding banners and woolly hats on these strike days you mentioned. the four teaching unions involved in this dispute have been going back to members to ask whether or not

they would accept the government's pay offer. the national education union is the second to have come back. it is an overwhelming "yes" and says that it won't be holding more strikes next term. this is the result that many parents, pupils, and teachers have been anxious to find out — and that is because the national education union is the only one to have actually held strikes during this dispute. the union said it will continue to fight for more funding and education, but for now, there is a collective sigh of relief for many that children are likely to be able to go back to school in a few weeks's time without further disruption. the death toll from the sunday's suicide bombing at a political rally in northwest pakistan has risen to a5. security officials in pakistan say they can't confirm who was behind the attack. more than 100 people were injured in the explosion, in the northwest, near the border with afghanistan. it happened at an event organised by one of the country's largest islamic political groups — which is part of the government coalition. no group has acknowledged carrying out the bombing, and authorities have warned

the death toll may rise further. our correspondent in islamabad, caroline davies, said new detail has been emerging about how the bombing was carried out. they say they believe that the bomber used around ten kilograms of explosive, as well as ball bearings to maximise the number of damage and destruction when the explosion went off. the hospitals have reported around 150 have been injured, some are still in a critical condition. we still have not heard from any group claiming the attack. the authorities have refuted the idea that the so—called islamic state is behind this attack. however, instead they say there are some indications that a local chapter with links to the so—called islamic state might

have been involved. that sounds like two contradictory statements, but in fact it simply gives you more of an indication about how some of these militant groups operate. they may well have connections to larger terrorist and militant organisations, but they may also operate at a splinter cell relatively independently. this could be with the police are suggesting here, but at the moment they've also been quite careful to not say that they definitely believe any particular group is behind it. now the backdrop to all this of course is a fact that this was a political rally for a political party that is currently in the coalition government, and that this is all in the build up to a highly anticipated general election here in pakistan, expected to happen in the autumn, although we don't have a set date for it. and the concern of course has been if we are already seeing attacks on political rallies even before we have an election date, what might we see in the next few months? speaking to one of the rally�*s organisers, he was on stage

seeing people next to him killed during this exclusion, and he was still adamant the party would continue with their rallies, that they would continue with their campaigning in the democratic process and the run—up to this expected election. process and the run-up to this expected election.— process and the run-up to this expected election. caroline davies in islamabad- _ to end this half an hour of verified live, we wanted to show you a video that's one of the most—watched on the bbc news website. estonian athlete jaan roose has walked 150 metres along a slackline, tied between the two iconic towers in qatar — and that is 185 metres above the ground. if you were wondering, a slackline is a rope made of strong fabric and stretched above the ground, it holds less tension that a tightrope. but you can see the winds he's battling with as he makes his way across. jaan is a three—time slackline world champion — and this was the world's longest single building slackline.

afterwards, he said he felt fantastic. now, after crossing the distance between iconic towers, i feel fantastic actually. after so much work, working at night, trying to find the perfect moment during the day with less wind and no sun — to set it up and finally to find the moment to walk it, and get to the other side, it feels great. incredible stuff, i'm back with the headlines in a moment or two. hello there. it looks like summer is going to remain on hold for the rest of this week with low pressure always nearby. it is going to stay unsettled bringing spells of cloud, rain, even strong winds around for the time of year. it has been a wetjuly, many places have seen more than double what we expect in a normal month. parts of northwest england, preston, have seen three times what we expect in a normaljuly. it will stay unsettled into the start of august. this low pressure sitting on top of the country

bringing a lot of cloud, outbreaks of patchy rain. there will be a few glimmers of brightness, the best in northern scotland again. some of the rain across scotland, northern england and northern ireland later will pep up. further south we could see something drier. the winds will be a feature across southern britain. lighter further north. that combination of cloud, rain and stronger winds will make it feel cool, 18—20 celsius. this evening and overnight, it stays cloudy. some clear spells across england and wales, northern scotland seeing the best. patchy rain across northern ireland, southern scotland, and northern england. temperatures on the mild side. cooler further north. tuesday is quieter, in between weather systems. more sunshine across england and wales. northern ireland and far south of scotland, and northern england could see cloud with patchy rain. generally, a bit better on tuesday,

up to 22 in the southeast. it goes downhill rapidly into wednesday. this deep area of low pressure will spread across the country. bringing heavy rain and also strong winds with gales, 50mph gusts, and heavy downpours, maybe thundery. the best of the weather in northern scotland. that will impact the temperatures. 16—20 celsius in the south. staying unsettled for the rest of the week. sunny spells, scattered showers, turning unsettled at the weekend, sunday looks pretty wet.

this is bbc news. the headlines: north sea oil and gas production is to expand — as the uk government — says it will grant hundreds of new drilling licences. the government also confirms up to £20 billion worth of backing, for two new carbon capture projects. new claims that china is pressuring uyghurs muslims living abroad to spy on human rights campaigners — we'll bring you a bbc investigation. new talks aimed at resolving the crisis in niger —