i'm live in dusseldorf ahead of the start of the 2017 tour de france.w jersey? coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news... it's must—win for the british and irish lions in new zealand, as the all—blacks look to clinch the series in tomorrow's second test in wellington. thousands of british students are heading to eastern europe to train to be doctors and dentists after failing to get places in british universities. research done by bbc news suggests there's been an increase in the numbers of students going to places like bulgaria and romania. that's partly because of the limited places at medical schools here. there are 8,200 places available each year in the uk to study medicine, but there are about 20,000 applicants. competition is fierce. and this at a time when we're facing a shortage of doctors. our health editor, hugh pym, reports from varna in bulgaria. they're so keen to study medicine, they've come a long way from home to do it. these british students are at the university of varna in bulgaria, because it was difficult getting

richard conway, bbc news, dusseldorf.turtle had been found washed up on a beach on the island of anglesey in wales. she's being taken to gran canaria where she's expected to be set free. the animal, nicknamed menai, is an olive ridley turtle, which are usually found in warmer waters near the equator. it is the first such turtle to have been reported in uk waters since records began almost 200 years ago. saturday does not look bad at all across saturday does not look bad at all a cross m ost saturday does not look bad at all across most of the uk. we are in for some sunshine and warm weather. there is a little rainfall on the way in the north—west that it should not be too happy. in the short term, afair bit not be too happy. in the short term, a fair bit of cloud and some light rain. damp weather across east anglia in the south—east overnight. many northern and north—western areas is a lot clearer services where we will have fresh weather early in the morning. in fact, in parts of northern ireland, possibly evenin parts o

richard conway, bbc news, dusseldorf. that's it.elcome to bbc london news, with me, louisa preston. documents seen by this programme suggest that camden council made savings of nearly £1 million by removing fire doors from refurbishment plans on some of its tower blocks. there's been controversy over the refurbishment of grenfell tower, and now bbc london can reveal details of similar disagreements over how the chalcots estate in camden was refurbished, hello and welcome to sportsday with me damian johnson. ahead on the programme... the british and irish lions are told they need to man up to beat the all blacks in the second test and keep the series alive. andy murray insists he's fit to defend his wimbledon title next week despite limping through his practice session today. and live cricket returns to bbc television for the first time in two decades, as the sport seeks to connect with a younger audience. british and irish lions coach warren gatland has been criticised over his selections, for the second test against new zealand on

the welshman is fit to join the eight—man team for the race which starts in dusseldorf on saturday firstjulywith froome seeking a fourth tour de france win, and a third one on the trot. he will now have the support of the likes of thomas, which is good news. that's all sport for now. you can keep up to date with all those stories on the bbc sport website. i'll have more in sportsday at half past six. let's get more on our top story that 600 high—rise buildings in england have been found to have

a party atmosphere here in dusseldorf.the fans are welcoming the riders, there has been an official presentation made and it is all ahead of the grand depart which is saturday. an individual time trial around the streets of dusseldorf, there is big, bright first, bikes and there is a great atmosphere as people look forward to celebrating the start of the tour de france. away from the party there are serious issues, not least on the road between richie porte and chris froome, the tea favours. also reputational issues and for the wider world of cycling given some of the issues. lots to play for, all will fancy it, everybody looking forward to the start of the race on saturday. you heard richard talking about the two favourites — three time winner chris froome and this man here — australian richie porte. yesterday we heard from chris froome — today lets hear how richie porte is feeling ahead of the race. of course the season has gone well so far but like we said this is the biggest race and the big girl, i think i have eight

it is an individual time trial around the streets of dusseldorf.here is a great atmosphere as people look forward to celebrating the start of the tour de france. away from the party, though, there are some serious issues, not least on the road between ritchie porte and chris froome, the two favourites for this race. and there are also of course the reputational issues for the tour de france, and for the wider world of cycling, given some of the issues revolving around team sky at the moment. so lots to play for. the family starting to gather, the atmosphere building and abroad looking forward to the start of the race on saturday. i am as excited as ever given that i have so much to raise for this time. this is a fourth tour de france, potentially a fourth tour de france, potentially a fourth tour de france, potentially a fourth tour de france title that i am trying to get. and that is, i mean, it is massive. the challenge is even bigger this year. ifeel massive. the challenge is even bigger this year. i feel as massive. the challenge is even bigger

richard in dusseldorf, thank you. still to come on sports day to night.ver world double tae kwon do champion. mo farah competes in his final 10,000m on the iaaf circuit in around half an hour's time. he's running in the golden spike meeting in the czech city of ostrava. farah is quitting the track for road racing after this summer's world championships in london and there's talk he may attempt a world record — an honour that has eluded the double double world and olympic champion. a man with plenty of world records and 19 world and olympic titles is also in action. usain bolt makes his first appearance of the year in europe in the 100 metres. he says his planned retirement at the end of the year makes every event feel significant. i think every meeting i go to this year will be emotional. i know it will be my last time, i should compete. it will be emotional and it will be my last golden spikes trophy. so it's just will be my last golden spikes trophy. so it'sjust an emotional season. trophy. so it'sjust an emotional season. but i always look forward to i

and that starts in dusseldorf in germany on saturday. now to the story of lions fan alex edwards.ed up staying on a mattress at the home of sandra yo—an—ay and her boys, brothers rieko and akira, who both featured for the all blacks. how did that happen?! katie gornall has more. while we have been here in new zealand, we have heard of so many families who have opened up their homes, adopting the lions but surely nothing can compare to this story. tell us, take the picture of what happened to you in auckland? before icame happened to you in auckland? before i came out to new zealand, ifound out by guys who were setting up accommodation. i turned up at a by accommodation. i turned up at a rugby club. it was an empty cloud park. i was thinking, this is the wrong place was not the having a committee meeting in the back and thatis committee meeting in the back and that is where i met sandro. she said come in, made a few phone calls. she said, you are not sleeping in the cloud park on your own, you can come and stay at how is. i was told i would have a pleasant surprise. there was a bul

out to defend his tour de france title when this year's race gets under way in the german city of dusseldorf in five years and has been looking at where the race may be won and lost. i think the real key stages are going to be the mountaintop finish, which is our biggest mountaintop finish this year, over 2000 metres. it isa finish this year, over 2000 metres. it is a massive client. i think state aid or nine, quite a hard stage with the final climb up. —— eight or nine. then descending down, that will be a key stage. i don't think this tour will be won or lost on one stage, it will be a combination of the three weeks together. to day three at royal ascot where big orange won the gold cup on thursday in a photo finish. it was a packed course with ladies day on one of the biggest races in the uk flat calendar and it became a two horse race between last year's winner order of st george with ryan moore on board and big orange with the latter taking it by a short head, as queen elizabeth ii handed the trophy to owner bill gredley and james doyle also getting his hands on it after stepping in for

tea m team sky had to face the music here in dusseldorf today.dibility, those questions coming into a tour de france in which chris froome all have to defend his title. sir dave b ra ilsfo rd have to defend his title. sir dave brailsford said all of the spotlight was on him. they're whizzing ongoing uk anti—doping investigation into exactly what happened with that jiffy bag that was delivered to sir bradley wiggins all those years ago. those questions will not go away, and will continue to dog this team throughout the tour and beyond, until those answers come. we are very focused on the race. we always come here. i have been involved in the sport for a long time, and i've a lwa ys the sport for a long time, and i've always tried to do it in the way i think it should be done. i'm proud to be part of this team, proud to be sitting here, proud to be part of the sport. chris froome will have to get rid of all the doubt, all the uncertainty and the scrutiny, and focus on the task, which is getting across the line in paris in three weeks' time. to do t

the 104th tour gets under way in dusseldorf in germany tomorrow and froome's hoping to complete his thirdictory in five years. but he faces stiff competition from some of the world's leading cyclists. i honestly think this is the biggest challenge i have faced in my career. the level of my rivals and the course we are racing on this year leads it to be a much more open race and it will be the biggest challenge for me, for sure. it will be right up for me, for sure. it will be right up there. when an fourth title would be incredible. it will be... i mean, yeah, i don't want tojinx it. it would be unreal. good news today for cricket fans, live matches will be returning to bbc television for the first time in 21 years, after a new free to air, digital and radio rights deal was done with the ecb between 2020 to 202k. it includes tv highlights of all of england men's home internationals. the ecb's chief executive tom harrison believes it will help the sport to attract more youngsters. it isa it is a great deal for the game, it is a great dealfor the game, a game changing deal for cricket it is

we arranged to meet a seller in dusseldorf to ask him why he wanted to sell his passport and recorded the encounter on hidden camera. >> i'm doing well here -- i've got a nice apartment -- but my family's in idlib, syria. besides, a few months ago, two of my brothers were killed. i have to go back. here, my passport. reporter: it is, in fact, the blue passport the german authorities issue as a provisional document for refugees. >> many of my friends have already gone. some are just waiting for their german documents so they can sell them and go back. it's weird. the trip here was expensive and dangerous, and now i have to trust smugglers again to get back. reporter: but why are syrians who sought refuge in germany returning to the country they endured so much to escape? why are they willing to pay the smugglers again? we decided to follow the same route. we learned from a forum on facebook that many of the return trips are arranged in greece. from munich, we fly to thessaloniki. at the gate, we strike up a conversation with two syrians on the same flight. bilal and youssef are two bro

the 104th version starting on saturday in the city of dusseldorf. we will get a preview from the sports desk. ♪ sarah: hello, welcome. i'm sarah harman. thank you for joining me. gay couples can start planning their weddings in germany after parliament passed a bill giving same-sex couples the right to marry. it has wide support across germany and there was instant reaction in berlin, where emotional scenes unfolded outside the bundestag and the office of chancellor merkel as people gathered to celebrate. [cheers] correspondent: a moment some had waited a lifetime to see. in the corinne, supporters of gay marriage gathered outside of the office of chancellor merkel to cheer on the vote. it is not just about politics for many, the new law affects them and personal ways. >> with today we are parents like anybody else. we love you more than our lives and ourselves and today this decision means we can tell our sons that they have two ordinary parents, just as anybody else. >> it feels great. a long time coming, we definitely deserved it. it feels good.

the 104th tour de france gets under way on saturday with the german city of dusseldorf staging "le grandralian ritchie porte, a former team sky colleague, he now has a new rival who's the man in form. i am as motivated as ever, given that i have so much to race for this time. this is a fourth tour de france, potentially a fourth tour de france title, that i am trying to get. and that is — i mean, it is massive. the challenge is even bigger this year. i feel as if the level of my rivals is even higher this year, on a difficult course, as well. so i am here with — yes, with all the motivation i have had before, if not even more. chris has obviously won three tours. there is no reason he cannot win a fourth. he is a big favourite here. you know, i think he is going to be in a lot better form than he was in the lead—up. i think he knows how to take the pressure, obviously, but so does alberto, so does nairo, and a few other guys. the women's pga championship, the second major of the year, is under way at olympia fields near chicago, but thursday's first round was cut short by thunder and lig

the 104th tour gets underway in dusseldorf in germany on saturday and chris froome is hoping to get hisctory and fourth victory in five years. he faces stiff competition from some of the world's leading cyclists. i think this is the biggest challenge i have faced in my career. the level of my rivals and of course we racing on, means it will be a much more open race. it will be a much more open race. it will be a much more open race. it will be the biggest challenge for me, for sure. it will be right up there. to win a fourth tour de france title would be incredible, it would be unreal. i don't want to jinx it but it would just be unreal. uk anti—doping authorities still investigating investigations of wrongdoing against team sky and british cycling for 2012 which both deny. uci president brian cookson says cycling has made significant progress in the battles against doping while he has been in charge. reputational problems that have been around that team in the last few months have not been helpful. i want to wait, like everyone else, for the outcome of uk anti—doping enquiries andi out

in a few minutes we will hear from richard conway who is in dusseldorf for the start of the tour de francens of the united states and in central canada. some of these will continue to break out as they had further eastwards. on the satellite picture you can see these huge thunderstorms are affecting central canada and the great lakes. on friday they will erupt once again and push slowly eastwards. they will affect the eastern states and canada later on in the week. meanwhile in the west there is that dry air and that very high wildfire risk. that line of thunderstorms continues to work its way closer to the eastern seaboard as we head through to saturday, bringing the threat of flash flooding and possibly tornadoes. in south as yet the south—west monsoon has got its act together and it has been pushing into the north—west corner of india and into the south east pakistan. the bright colours mean exceptionally heavy rain, potentially around gujarat and rajasthan. it is inevitable we could see some serious flooding in the next couple of days. heavy rain saturday and sunday across new delhi as

the tour de france starts tomorrow with a 9 mile time—trial in dusseldorf.l cover 2,200 miles. great britain's chris froome, a 3—time winner of the tour is on for a hatrick of victories and he is favourite to be wearing the yellowjersey once again, when the riders hit the champs elysees on the 23rd july. let's speak to our sports news correspondent richard conway who is in germany where it's all going to start. what kind of shape is froome in and who are his main rivals? he has not had a win coming into the tour de france but speaking this week to him, he is in confident form. we have some of the bikes behind us. we have to be careful not to knock them. these high—performance bikes will be in action tomorrow for the time trial. speaking to chris froome earlier this week, he was under no illusions of the scale of the challenge that awaits him. i honestly think that this is the biggest challenge i have faced in my career. i think the level of my rivals and the course that we are raising on this year leads it to be a much more open race, and it will be the bigg

the welshman is fit to join the eight—man team for the race which starts in dusseldorf on saturday firstjulyhe support of the likes of thomas, which is good news. that's all sport for now. you can keep up to date with all those stories on the bbc sport website. i'll have more in sportsday at half past six. let's get more on our top story that 600 high—rise buildings in england have been found to have similar cladding material to that found on grenfell tower in west london, which caught fire with the loss of at least 79 lives. so far, tests have found that seven are combustible. camden council in north london is removing external cladding from five tower blocks on the chalcot estate, because the panels didn't meet the standard commissioned by the authority. simon morris lives in one of the tower blocks which is having cladding removed. he has described the mood around residents. 0bviously obviously there is relief that action is finally being taken. i think it's fair to say that people are still shocked. we were totally shocked when we heard the news. i cried. but as the day has progressed, i

the welshman is fit to join the eight man team for the race which starts in dusseldorf on saturday 1stur victory. juventus have confirmed they will release right—back dani alves from the final year of his contract, adding to rumours he could be set for a move to the premier league. manchester city boss pep guardiola is known to be interested in the 34—year—old brazilian, whom he knows from their time together at barcelona. juventus say alves has "expressed a desire to try a new experience". british and irish lions head coach warren gatland has made a bold selection ahead of the first test with new zealand, claiming his side must be courageous with the ball and score some tries if they're to beat the all blacks. ireland's peter 0'mahony will captain the side, after a string of impressive displays, with tour captain sam warburton named on the bench. alun wynjones is preferred to maro itoje in the second row. but it's his selection in the backs which will leave nobody in any doubt as to how he gatland wants his side to play. with the attacking duo of eliot daly on the wing and liam willia

the three week race starts in dusseldorf with froome seeking a fourth win in five years.ng a professional golf tournament. this chinese player through his putter into the water. a bit of a tantrum. 20 minutes later, this is his mother, knee deep in the water looking for the putter, attracting attention from other players. she found it but realised it was broken. her effort sent the players into fits of laughter. look, she wades out, realises how broken it is. throws it back in. she had to take it out a few more step and she could have handed it in. but is in the water for someone else to discover. if that had been a christmas present... i would have made him play with a broken putter by having a temper tantrum like that. you need to respect your clubs. when your children sit down to watch kids tv you can be safe in the knowledge they won't be bombarded with adverts for fizzy drinks and junk food. yet these days, young people often go online to access their favourite shows — where the same rules don't apply. well that's all about to change, because from this weekend all ch