# welcome to the eras tour. and ta [or # welcome to the eras tour. and taylor swift _ # welcome to the eras tour. and taylor swift returns to wembley stadium tonight for the final leg of her tour in the uk. hello, i'm sally bundock. we start with the highly infectious disease mpox which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the world health organization. the disease, formerly known as monkey pox, has spread rapidly across central and east africa since the beginning of the year. the initial outbreak was in the democratic republic of congo which has now registered 15,600 cases

since the start of the year, and more than 500 deaths. health officials say the new strain of mpox may be the most deadly yet. it's transmitted through close contact including sexual contact — it causes flu—like symptoms and skin lesions. joe inwood reports. it starts with flulike symptoms and ends with this. this is what mpox, which used to be called monkey pox can do. here in the democratic republic of congo the virus is common but it is spreading. it spread through physical contact all through physical contact all through the air. this five—year—old has now recovered but it was a terrifying moment for her mother. translation: she had a high fever and then she started to get lesions on her body. she had rashes on her arms, on her abdomen and even on her tongue. arms, on her abdomen and even on hertongue. i arms, on her abdomen and even on her tongue. i have been told

it was a serious illness that could kill her so i took her to the hospital.— the hospital. although it can be sexually _ the hospital. although it can be sexually transmitted - the hospital. although it can be sexually transmitted in i the hospital. although it can l be sexually transmitted in the crowded camps of the eastern drc, most patients are children. translation: so far we have 130 — children. translation: so far we have 130 expected - children. translation: so far we have 130 expected cases i children. translation: so far. we have 130 expected cases and half of them under fire. 5% are adults. the most common way to be infected is direct contact from a sick person and in the camps, children play together. the latest outbreak has killed 450 the latest outbreak has killed a50 people in the drc. it seems a new variant called clade ib is more virulent and more dangerous and it has now been detected in neighbouring countries including burundi, kenya, rwanda, uganda and central african republic. and so the world health organization has declared a global health emergency. it is clear that _ global health emergency. it is clear that a _ global health emergency. it 3 clear that a co—ordinated international response is

essential to stop this outbreak and save lives. a declaration of public... 15 and save lives. a declaration of public"— of public... is the highest under international - underinternational international law. it is possible to vaccinate against mpox as happened in previous outbreaks. these vaccines are not widely available in the drc where these children had to rely on their immune systems. the who warning that if more is not done to stop the spread of this new variant, the consequences will spread far beyond these camps. joe inwood, bbc news. let's speak to alexandra finch, associate at the o'neill institute for national and global health law. welcome to the programme. i understand that you have been looking into this in great detail. tell us more about what it means now that the world health organization has declared this an emergency. the

significance _ declared this an emergency. the significance of _ declared this an emergency. tue: significance of the declaration, a public health emergency of international concern by the director—general is, as explained in his own words, this is the highest global alert level which they currently have under international health regulations. it is a binding treaty where all who member states, 196 of them and it is usually considered on the basis of an existing and potential risk of spread and the need for a global co—ordinated response to the pandemic. what it really does is set in motion a number of obligations for state parties to international health regulations including those who are affected by the outbreak to start reporting accurate case information, case definitions and information about how the disease is spreading around the community. to the who on a timely basis. it also requires the director—general to issue

temporary recommendations, which are non—binding recommendations that countries are supposed to respond to the outbreak. in particular how to avoid unnecessary interference with travel and trade to the affected countries.- with travel and trade to the affected countries. from your perspective. _ affected countries. from your perspective, sorry _ affected countries. from your perspective, sorry to - affected countries. from your| perspective, sorry to interrupt you because we are tied for time, what is the risk of this spreading beyond where it is that at the moment? now that the international attention is on this, will that not mean that vaccines will be deployed, et cetera? that there will be much done to prevent it spreading further western that is the hope. the spreading further western that is the hone-— is the hope. the world has enou:h is the hope. the world has enough vaccines _ is the hope. the world has enough vaccines but - is the hope. the world has enough vaccines but drc. is the hope. the world has i enough vaccines but drc and others affected, the neighbouring countries are not getting access to them. there is progress towards getting those vaccines but it is not enough and too slow and the african cdc mention they need about 10 million doses to be able to stop the spread. find about 10 million doses to be able to stop the spread. and if the spread _ able to stop the spread. and if the spread is _ able to stop the spread. and if the spread is not _ able to stop the spread. and if the spread is not stopped, - able to stop the spread. and if. the spread is not stopped, what is the worst case scenario here? ~ ., , is the worst case scenario here? . .,, , is the worst case scenario here? ,. ., ., ., here? worst case scenario would reall be

here? worst case scenario would really be a _ here? worst case scenario would really be a high _ here? worst case scenario would really be a high degree _ here? worst case scenario would really be a high degree of- really be a high degree of international spread. there are people outside the region and we could see the disease seeding and other areas. and really trying to stop the spread, complying with temporary recommendations that the director—general will hopefully deliver soon so that we can stop the spread from leaving those regions. but it is really important that we do not wait until they arrive on our shores, and that we respond to the outbreak where it is right now. to the outbreak where it is right "ow-— to the outbreak where it is riaht now. �* , ~ ., ., right now. briefly, alexandra, what we know _ right now. briefly, alexandra, what we know about - right now. briefly, alexandra, what we know about the - right now. briefly, alexandra, i what we know about the variants that we are dealing with here and effectiveness of current vaccines?— and effectiveness of current vaccines? . ., ., vaccines? the variant we are seeinr vaccines? the variant we are seeing right _ vaccines? the variant we are seeing right now _ vaccines? the variant we are seeing right now is - vaccines? the variant we are seeing right now is a - vaccines? the variant we are l seeing right now is a subtype. more transmissible than clade one which is causing the real drive in the outbreak. i think current tools are working but we will need to see a lot more investment in developing not just different tools but more and making sure that they are

capable of being delivered. i am sure that there are some antibiotics that need to be delivered into hospital settings which may be difficult in a rural or regional setting in a rural or regional setting in affected countries at the moment. we will need to see a lot more ground swell cooperation of notjust cooperation of not just countries cooperation of notjust countries in the african region but all around the world. thank ou ve but all around the world. thank you very much _ but all around the world. thank you very much for _ but all around the world. thank you very much for being - but all around the world. thank you very much for being on - but all around the world. thankj you very much for being on bbc news and giving us your expertise on this. there is a lot more detail on our website, of course, about mpox and how it spreads. do take a look. let's bring you up—to—date now and what is happening in ukraine and russia. ukraine's president zelensky says the country's troops have "advanced well" into russia's kursk region, as kyiv�*s biggest cross—border incursion enters its second week. ukraine says it'll set up evacuation routes for civilians in the areas that it's captured, allowing them to go to russia or to ukraine. russian president vladimir putin has vowed to expel the ukrainian troops. james waterhouse reports from the sumy region on the border with russia.

no border checkpoint on this crossing to russia. just a burnt out russian tank. a different assignment for ukrainian war reporter natalia nahorna. "this is a historic moment," she tells the camera in the city of sudzha. such a claim might be premature, but ukraine is talking up this land grab while it can. it's providing humanitarian aid and organising evacuations. there are even plans to set up military offices. but on the battlefield, success always comes at a cost, as this injured soldier attests. translation: fear, adrenaline. you realise when you enter their territory, how much we have suffered, how much our women and children have suffered, but now it's their turn. the head of ukraine's armed forces is having even more regular meetings

with the president. translation: since i the beginning of today, troops have advanced around 1 to 2km in some directions. after the body blow of losing territory, russia is now moving resources to try and take it back. as fighter bombers drop glide bombs on ukrainian forces on its own soil, kyiv today claimed to have shot one of them down. the su—3as are thought to be £30 million each. kyiv is trying to change the politics of this war by shaking up the fighting itself. it's certainly done the latter. james waterhouse, bbc news, sumy region. let's speak to matthew schmidt, associate professor at national security department, university of new haven, who's an expert on defence and intelligence, russia and ukraine. good to have you on the programme. give us your take on

this move on the part of ukraine. this move on the part of ukraine-— this move on the part of ukraine. , , ,, ., ., ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine is _ ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine is waiting _ ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine is waiting to _ ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine is waiting to see - ukraine. this is week two now. ukraine is waiting to see what l ukraine is waiting to see what it can do. it surprised itself, i think, that it went this well and what happens in war is that general chaos and general chance and general like get to come into play here and ukraine is looking around going, ok, we got this far, it's no little further. and they are being very careful and very smart in doing things like opening up these humanitarian corridors and being careful in how they treat the russian population in order to displace their population the reflection back about how russian soldiers have been treating ukrainians. they are trying to bring the war to russia and two russians in a way that putin cannot hide it anymore. and they are doing a greatjob of it. anymore. and they are doing a great job of it— great job of it. this was a surprise _ great job of it. this was a surprise attack. - great job of it. this was a surprise attack. it - great job of it. this was a surprise attack. it is - great job of it. this was a surprise attack. it is not i great job of it. this was a | surprise attack. it is not a surprise attack. it is not a surprise anymore. ukraine says it is advancing now in several

directions within russia. president putin says he will remove them all, the ukrainians, but so far it looks pretty embarrassing from his point of view isn't it?- point of view isn't it? yeah, 'ust the point of view isn't it? yeah, just the fact _ point of view isn't it? yeah, just the fact that _ point of view isn't it? yeah, just the fact that it - point of view isn't it? yeah, just the fact that it has - point of view isn't it? yeah, | just the fact that it has taken him this long to get things under control exposes the weakness of various elements of his military. the fact that the response is not directly under control of the military itself but under the fsb, under the security agency that putin used to lead tells you he has doubts, that he does not trust his military and, again, the russian public knows that now. they know that somebody screwed up they know that somebody screwed up badly here and they are looking for someone to blame and vladimir putin is looking to reflect lame away from himself. in many cases, the government failed at its number—1 job which is to protect its population. and thatis protect its population. and that is the real strategic win

here for the ukrainians. for the ukrainians, _ here forthe ukrainians. for the ukrainians, however, they need to keep the momentum and the supply, they need to protect their own country as well. for example, you know, russia is advancing in the donbas region, changing the chessboard in significant ways on both sides need to adjust, don't they? on both sides need to ad'ust, don-t theyafi don't they? the pure battlefield _ don't they? the pure battlefield risk - don't they? the pure battlefield risk for i don't they? the pure | battlefield risk for the ukrainians is that any time you make a salient light as it could get cut off and you could have a pocket and lose your troops. i'm sure the ukrainians have planned for this and because of the ineptness of the russian response so far they should be able to get out of this, evacuate their people and retreat back in a controlled fashion at their own choosing. so i think the risk to ukrainians is manageable. the risk to the russians is that every day that this goes on, there are significant amounts of ukrainian armed forces in

their territorial makes him look weak and then putin is backin look weak and then putin is back in a corner and he has to react even more aggressively, he has to destroy and crush and do these sorts of things in order to prove that he still has control. that is the risk. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. here, hundreds of thousands of students in england, wales and northern ireland will receive their exam results within the next few hours. grades for a—levels, btecs and t—levels will help students to progress on to university, an apprenticeship or employment. kate mcgough reports. there have been many challenges for the class of 202a. secondary school life dominated ljy secondary school life dominated by a pandemic, the cost of living crisis and teacher strikes. today, thousands of pupils will find out if they have the results they need.

despite all the disruption over the past three years, rebecca feels she has been able to focus on her a levels and b—tecss. focus on her a levels and lzt-tecss-_ focus on her a levels and b-tecss. ~ ., , ,, , b-tecss. when it came to gcses it im act b-tecss. when it came to gcses it impact us _ b-tecss. when it came to gcses it impact us but _ b-tecss. when it came to gcses it impact us but with _ b-tecss. when it came to gcses it impact us but with support - it impact us but with support from teachers and things like that we were able to get back on track and now i feel like we have overcome it in a way. this ear have overcome it in a way. this year group _ have overcome it in a way. this year group is — have overcome it in a way. this year group is the _ have overcome it in a way. this year group is the first - have overcome it in a way. this year group is the first since the pandemic to have no exam concessions. it marks a return to normal. at this school in rugby they say they are still dealing with the impact it has had on mental health. irate dealing with the impact it has had on mental health. we know that before _ had on mental health. we know that before the _ had on mental health. we know that before the pandemic- had on mental health. we know that before the pandemic won l that before the pandemic won two children had mental health pill problems and the data currently suggests it is one in six. five students for every class that we teach in the school, it is about having a trusted adult in the school and making sure that if they feel unsafe or anxious that there is someone there to support them at all times. it someone there to support them at all times-— at all times. it has been a challenging _ at all times. it has been a challenging time. - at all times. it has been a challenging time. the - at all times. it has been a i challenging time. the school is gone from being rated outstanding to inadequate. the new head is hoping that this

result day is proof that the school has turned a corner. irate school has turned a corner. we needed to _ school has turned a corner. - needed to put the school back in our community eyes as a centre of excellence. so after we got through that initial phase of anger and frustration, there was a determination within the school to make sure that we were the very best that we could be. that we were the very best that we could be— we could be. last year more than 300,000 _ we could be. last year more than 300,000 18 _ we could be. last year more | than 300,000 18 -year-olds than 300,00018 —year—olds applied to go to university or couegein applied to go to university or college in the uk. but richard is not sure whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship. i university or do an apprenticeship. university or do an a- renticeshi -. ., ., apprenticeship. i have to weigh out my options. _ apprenticeship. i have to weigh out my options, the _ apprenticeship. i have to weigh out my options, the facilities i out my options, the facilities and the costs of both and paying back the student loan. it is notjust about money. issak is hoping to go to the university of bath. his concern is about what happens afterwards in the role ai will play. university could be high cost it is all— play. university could be high cost it is all about _ play. university could be high cost it is all about the - cost it is all about the prospects afterwards. i want to

become an investment baker and at the start, the first couple of years is a lot of spreadsheets but with al it could make the job spreadsheets but with al it could make thejob redundant. the class of 202a has faced many uncertainties. the hope is that the results today will be a testament to their resilience. good luck. what an important day for so many around the uk. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

fresh talks aimed at ending the ten—month war in gaza are due to begin in qatar later. israel has confirmed that it will send negotiators. but hamas — the group which runs gaza — has said it won't attend the talks, involving mediators from the us, qatar and egypt. the talks come amid heightened tensions in the region, following the assassination of hamas' political leader ismail haniyeh in tehran last month.

this was his funeral in qatar. iran provides backing to hamas in gaza, and to the militant group hezbollah in lebanon. senior iranian officials are reported to have said that only a ceasefire deal in gaza will prevent tehran from direct retaliation against israel over the killing. israel has never acknowledged that it was responsible. the white house says it expects the gaza ceasefire talks to "move forward as planned" with cia director william burns and us middle east envoy brett mcgurk attending. white house press secretary karinejean—pierre said the talks were critical to de—escalate tensions in the region. the resumption of talks on

thursday is an important step. an important step to continue that. we need to release the hostages, as you will know some of those hostages are american hostages. we need to make sure that lasting relief delivered to the palestinian civilians in gaza and lower the tension in the region and we have said this many times before. the hostage deal come the ceasefire deal will help to lower tensions in the region. mohamed taha from bbc arabic is with me in the studio. good morning. a push they are from the white house to see success today but thomas is not sending anyone to these talks. what is the hope? there is not much hope, to be honest. hamas is insisting that there are only proposals from president biden that was endorsed by the un resolution 207 — 8275. and there is nothing else, that we have to dear to the resolution council also endorsed by the g7

but israel apparently wants additional requests which are to stay controlling the corridor that separates gaza from egypt and also making sure that there is aim search mechanism for anybody who would enter their homes. that mechanism for anybody who would enter their homes.— enter their homes. that is what hamas is objecting _ enter their homes. that is what hamas is objecting to, - enter their homes. that is what hamas is objecting to, the i hamas is objecting to, the changes that israel is requesting. but if hamas does not attend the talks today the negotiations, how can we see project that make progress here? it project that make progress here? , ., , project that make progress here? , . , here? it is a very good question. _ here? it is a very good question, a _ here? it is a very good question, a good i here? it is a very good i question, a good question, here? it is a very good - question, a good question, how do we see progress? apparently these talks is giving hope for these talks is giving hope for the region to not enter an all—out war with this anticipated efforts from iran. so these negotiations at this time is trying to place pressure on iran not to

retaliate and to give the people in gaza and people in the region some hope. briefly, in the meantime, _ the region some hope. briefly, in the meantime, the - the region some hope. briefly, in the meantime, the numberl the region some hope. briefly, l in the meantime, the number of people killed in gaza has reached a symbolic level. aha, reached a symbolic level. significant number today, the number reached a0,000 people killed in gaza in the last ten months. having negotiations at this delicate time might give hope to these people who are feeling desperate and in a bad situation. ., ~ feeling desperate and in a bad situation. ., ,, , ., feeling desperate and in a bad situation. ., ~' , ., , . situation. thank you very much once again- _ former president donald trump has been out on the campaign trail. the republican presidential nominee has been speaking in the swing state of north carolina. it's a state he won by one percentage point in the 2020 election againstjoe biden. after a few weeks in which his rival kamala harris has stolen the limelight, mr trump largely stayed focused on his key messages. and he had this to say on the economy.

are you better off now with harris and biden than you were with the person named president donaldj trump? do you know him? he is a nice man, a nice gentleman. with four more years of harris your finances will never recover. they are never going to recover. our country will never recover, frankly, more importantly. it will be unrecoverable. vote trump and incomes will soar, your savings will grow, people will be able to afford a home and we will bring back the american dream bigger, betterand bring back the american dream bigger, better and stronger than ever before. my colleague caitriona perry was at the rally in asheville nc and gave this assessment of what mr trump had to say: it was here that he chose to make these remarks today, laying out his economic policies. he has been criticised for reallyjust airing personal grievances have laid rather than focusing on

policies following that swift change on the democratic ticket so this was designed to be a reset, taking on kamala harris as his new rival, a more focused donald trump who would tackle her in terms of the biden administration's handling of economic policy and what he intends to do about the cost of living crisis, rising prices in particular. he began by doing that but quickly turned on his rival. just to remind you that on bbc online but also on the bbc news app online but also on the bbc news app if you wish to closely follow the us election you can do so by clicking on the specialist area on the website. taylor swift returns to london's wembley stadium on thursday night for the final leg of her uk eras tour. swift will be playing five final shows from tonight, with the excitement already ramping up at wembley, as fans flock to buy official merchandise. security will be tight, after her shows in vienna last week were cancelled

following the arrest of three teenagers who allegedly planned a terrorist attack. these fans at wembley were reassured by the increased security and looking forward to her performances. upon hearing the news after what happened in vienna we were a bit nervous about it but we were researching it and we saw that they will increase security here at wembley and double checking everyone so for me to is much easier. i followed over the last 1a years and i think something about her musicjust speaks to you. she music 'ust speaks to you. she is 'ust musicjust speaks to you. she isjust phenomenal, - musicjust speaks to you. she isjust phenomenal, really. i don't— isjust phenomenal, really. i don't know— isjust phenomenal, really. i don't know if— isjust phenomenal, really. i don't know if there - isjust phenomenal, really. i don't know if there will i isjust phenomenal, really. i don't know if there will ever| don't know if there will ever be anyone _ don't know if there will ever be anyone like _ don't know if there will ever be anyone like her- don't know if there will ever be anyone like her again. i don't know if there will ever. be anyone like her again. her fans are out _ be anyone like her again. her fans are out in _ be anyone like her again. her fans are out in force - be anyone like her again. fans are out in force in wembley. as we mentioned, an

important day for many students across the country with results coming through for the next few hours. in business today we will look at some ai tools that may help with future exam results. i will see you in a moment. hello, there. wednesday was a cloudier and fresher feel for most of us, but east anglia still clung on to some sunshine and some heat. 26 celsius was the high on wednesday afternoon in parts of suffolk. but the story will continue to change for thursday. under this influence of low pressure, some wet and windy weather will move its way into scotland and northern ireland. that will gradually sink its way south and east, but as it bumps into high pressure, the rain will weaken somewhat. so, first thing on thursday morning, we'll have a slightly brighter story northwest of the great glen. the rain turning showery from aberdeen down to glasgow and into northern ireland. heavier bursts of rain

through the scottish borders into northwest england, and there will be a fair amount of cloud through northern england, the midlands, wales and southwest england. so if we draw a line from hull down to southampton, anywhere south and east of that should start the morning off dry with some sunshine. but the cloud will tend to build up as we go through the day. our weather front continues to sink its way south and east, weakening all the time, but a band of showery rain will push its way across wales and into the midlands. but we mightjust cling on to some sunshine. 26 celsius in east anglia, once again, fresher for most. now, that weather front will continue to push its way through the south and east during the overnight period, thursday, into the early hours of friday morning. it's the dividing line between fresher conditions to the far northwest. here, we'll start friday morning in single figures, but still a relatively warm night for sleeping, 17 or 18 celsius in the southeast corner. early morning cloud and rain will ease away. high pressure then builds once again. a few scattered showers into the far north and west,

but on friday, a good deal of dry, settled and sunny weather for most of us. we've lost that humidity, that fresher feel will still continue, 1a—21 degrees for most in the north, 20—25 across much of england and wales. now, into the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in from the west and continue to quieten things down, so not a bad weekend in prospect for pretty much most of us, really. a few scattered showers from time to time in the northwest, but on the whole, dry, settled and sunny, with highs once again peaking at 25 celsius, 77 fahrenheit. enjoy.

desperately seeking growth. today we find out how the uk economy preformed in the second quarter with economists keeping expectations in check. the end of the line. could a pay dispute that led to over two years of disruptive rail strikes in the uk be resolved. it's results day for a—level students — we look at an ai powered learning tool for schools that's become a booming business in norway. and how to avoid the dreaded commute. what is the future of getting to and from work? we find out.

lovely to have you on board. live from london, this is business today. i'm sally bundock we begin here in the uk where the latest economic growth figures for the second quarter of this year are expected shortly. and economists are not over—excited with most predicting the uk saw a smidgen of growth. around 0.7% in the months of april tojune. but it is growth, in fact the biggest expansion in over two years as marc ashdown reports. football didn't quite make it home again but euros give uk june gdp figure a gentle kick in the right direction. gross domestic product is a measure of all the economic activity of company governments and people in the country. one of major

sporting