our first report is from our climate editor, justin rowlatt.ith today's searing heat came fires, and lots of them. huge plumes of smoke rose above london as grass fires engulfed homes. on the outskirts of the capital. the fire brigade declared a major incident. a number of the calls we have been dealing with today have been wild fires or grass fires, where the ground has been tinder box dry result of the weather. in particular the last two days. temperature records were tumbling before midday, the 39.1 temperature records were tumbling before midday. the 39,1 recorded near gatwick airport was a warning. within an hour another record, 40.2 at heathrow. by mid—afternoon, we got a new record when coningsby in lincolnshire reached 40.3 celsius. there was a new provisional record for scotland, too, we've been beating records by 1.5 and 2 degrees, and this is unusual. these are high temperatures over a broad area, so quite surprising. look at today's temperatures compared to previous records. in 1976, it peaked just shy of 36 degrees. 16 years after

justin rowlatt, bbc news. sound advice there. now on bbc news, the travel show.travel show: i'm in the great american outdoors for a close encounter with some grizzly bears. we're heading to australia to wish a very happy birthday to one of the most iconic bridges in the world. and in mexico, we meet the people breathing life into an ancient ballgame that predates football by around 3,000 years. hello, and welcome to yellowstone park here in the united states. this is one of the oldest national parks in the world. it celebrates its 150th this year. now, this is a vast and mesmerising place. a little later on in the show i will be coming up close to one of yellowstone's most famous and fearsome residents, the grizzly bear. but we're starting this week somewhere where you definitely won't need bear spray to visit. now, the famous film director baz luhrmann once said if paris is the city of light, then sydney is the city of fireworks. that is certainly the case every new year's eve when the global party really gets started with pictures like these beamed around the

justin rowlatt, bbc news. they look fantastic, don't they?n this programme so don't go anywhere. among the stories we will cover in a business coverage is taking a look at the 11 coverage is taking a look at the ii conservative mps have put themselves forward to be the new leader of the conservative party and, of course, prime minister. as you can see there, foreign secretary liz truss is the latest to join the list, and she has made various promises. she says on day one she will cut taxes but the question is this is the right medicine for the uk economy? all that and more next, in a moment. i will see you soon. hello. sunday, scotland and northern ireland saw their highest temperatures of the year so far. monday could well be the turn of wales and england, so feeling just as hot out there, if not hotter. and a lot of sunshine, yes, though increasing high cloud will turn things hazier out there. and if you're looking for rain, this is the next five days. while some will push in towards north—western areas — not very much, mind you — but where

justin rowlatt, bbc news, manchester. finally to sport.s. he produced a stunning final round to overtake the overnight leaders and become the first australian in almost 30 years to lift the sport's most prestigious prize. it was all watched by ben croucher. it was a round fitting of winning any tournament. to do it here at st andrew's, at the home of golf in the 150th open championship, was quite special. cameron smith, champion golfer of the year. his 8—under—par round of 64, his second 64 of the week, lit up this famous old course. five straight birdies starting at the tenth kick—started his quest for the claretjug. a final birdie on 18 ensured he'd become the first australian to win the open in 29 years, one shot clear of playing partner cameron young. his score of 20 under par is a record here at st andrews. smith came from four shots back on the final day. viktor hovland's bid fell away whilst rory mcilroy, at the tournament he called golf�*s holy grail, he just couldn't produce when it mattered. with every putt that didn't drop, it s

our climate editor justin rowlatt reports.ched bear after a wildfire swept through here. soaring temperatures have dried out vegetation and sparked infernos, not just here in portugal, where the flames reached a motorway, but in spain. and in france too, where hundreds of people had to be evacuated as their homes were consumed by the blaze. and the weather that caused all this is headed our way. the heat wave that is roasting southern europe is on the move, drawn north by an atlantic low. england and parts of wales will start to feel the blast of continental heat on sunday and it will build towards those record high temperatures through monday and into tuesday. with the met office forecasting the hottest day in british history, the uk has been forced onto an emergency footing. health chiefs fear hospitals could be overwhelmed by heat —related casualties. we be overwhelmed by heat -related casualties. ~ ., ., . ., , casualties. we have got increasing number of people _ casualties. we have got increasing number of people coming

justin rowlatt, bbc news, manchester.s in short, i've got some tips for keeping your house or flat a bit cooler. bear with me. for the time being, we have the emergency heat warning declared. read extreme heat covering these areas across england, taking in many of england's two largest cities and amber weather warnings covering the whole of wales, england and now stretching right up into central and eastern areas of scotland. these areas having impacts to people's health and infrastructure problems due to the high temperatures. records will get smashed. tomorrow in wales could get up to 38 degrees, that will be about three degrees above the all time welsh national record. 41 is the peak over the next couple of days in england, which will smash the english and uk national all—time temperature record. this is dangerous heat. the end of the night, look at these temperatures, 14—18. if you are up early enough, let that cool air into your flat or house for 15 minutes and shut the curtains, shut the windows, shut the doors. it'

our climate editor, justin rowlatt has the story.in a few isolated populations, like here in the yorkshire dales national park. the reason, grey squirrels. they were first brought to the uk from north america in the late 19th century, and have spread across the country. as well as muscling out red squirrels, grey squirrels are responsible for killing and maiming tens of thousands of young trees every year. the traditional way of disposing of pests is by shooting. but most people don't like the idea of squirrels being shot. it is only ever a temporary solution. grey squirrels breed rapidly, and populations can recover quickly, which is why government scientists are exploring a more humane alternative. you won't be surprised to hear that squirrels just love this. it's a kind of hazelnut butter. they find it irresistible. and what the scientists are doing is dosing this with contraceptives. now, the idea is the squirrels will be unaffected, except, of course, they won't be able to produce any young. so how do you ensure that only grey s

thank you very much, justin rowlatt, our climate editor.vastating brain injury three months ago should have his treatment withdrawn, a high court judge has ruled. mrjustice hayden said compelling medical evidence showed archie battersbee had no hope of recovery. let's speak to our correspondent katharine da costa, who's outside the court. thank you, yes. in the last few minutes the family read a statement outside court saying that the judgment had been a blow and they don't believe removing life support is an archie boss might best interests. they confirmed they are seeking to launch another appeal. archie has been described as a keen gymnast full of life and energy. his mother said he had been a fighter and she would continue to fight for treatment to continue, but he hasn't regained consciousness since he suffered a severe brain injury following an incident at his home in essex in early april. his parents believe he may have been taking part in an online challenge. doctors at the royal london hospital have said that archie is brain dead a

——justin rowlatt. we —— justin rowlatt. we will have more on the fires later this evening. to take part in the vote, leaving his political future in doubt. it comes after he offered his resignation last week. we can cross live to rome and our correspondent there, mark lowen. welcome to you. italian politics is fairly straightforward. but as happens tonight?— fairly straightforward. but as happens tonight? yeah, never a dual moment in a — happens tonight? yeah, never a dual moment in a country _ happens tonight? yeah, never a dual moment in a country that _ happens tonight? yeah, never a dual moment in a country that has - happens tonight? yeah, never a dual moment in a country that has seen i moment in a country that has seen almost 70 governments since the second world war, sam, and now looks likely to see the end of yet another one, because mario draghi ambled, he... 0ne one, because mario draghi ambled, he... one of the parties in his national unity coalition last week wavered in his support stub he offered his resignation backed into the president, who rejected his resi

justin rowlatt, bbc news, cambridge.tle more on those fires that have been breaking out here in the uk. this was the scene east of london where a small fire in a back garden quickly turned into an inferno that ripped through several houses. there have been fires in other areas too, with bone dry conditions providing ideal conditions for blazes to spread. temperatures are now beginning to cool. of course, it's in france where the most devastating fires have taken hold along the country's atlantic coast. tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson was at the scene and sent this report from one of the affected areas. in teste—de—buch, we drove towards the fire, following fire crews as they disappeared into the smoke. all around us, the forest still smouldered, waiting for a chance to reignite. you can really taste and smell the smoke in the air here. fire crews have been battling these fires for a week now, and while they're contained in parts, they're still not under

justin rowlatt, bbc news, cambridge. so that's the situation in the uk. take you to the rest of europe now, and start with france where fire crews in the south west of the country are battling to control wildfires spreading along the atlantic coast. tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. our correspondent lucy williamson was at the scene and sent this report from one of the affected areas. in teste—de—buch, we drove towards the fire, following fire crews as they disappeared into the smoke. all around us, the forest still smouldered, waiting for a chance to reignite. you can really taste and smell the smoke in the air here. fire crews have been battling these fires for a week now, and while they're contained in parts, they're still not under control despite the drop in temperatures. you can see some of them still working over here. the key concern now is preventing any fresh fires from taking hold. they talk about an apocalypse here. last week, it was paradise. these campsites carry evidence of both. holiday memories spat out by

0ur climate editor justin rowlatt explains. the obvious question is, why is it so hard?re bringing hot air from africa helping drive the brutal heatwaves in spain, portugal and france. the same southerly winds have brought the blistering heat to the uk and what makes it worse is a weather system called a heat dome. it is like a heat over a pot, held in place by a high—pressure system. the sun hits and the air remains stuck and pushed back down, raising temperatures higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heatwaves. europe and the northern hemisphere is very hot. heatwaves in the united states and china and this summer will be much warmer with less precipitation than we usually see. how does this compare with the past? 1986, the most famous _ compare with the past? 1986, the most famous heatwave i compare with the past? 1986, l the most famous heatwave with bridges heating 36 degrees. lower than today but the hot weather went on for days and days. of the top ten hottest days. of the top ten hottest days since the victorian area, seven are from recent times. the m

as our climate editor justin rowlatt reports, this type of extreme weather is likely to become more familiarcorded its hottest day of the year, 28.6 celsius, in flintshire. and temperatures soared in england too. lovely if you can get to the beach or to a pool, but the truth is, most of us can't. do you mind if i put a hat on you, my lovely? because the sun's very hot. at summercourt care home in teignmouth, they have been making sure their residents stay nice and cool. love it. we're so lucky, aren't we? yeah. we haven't seen this for years. i don't like it that hot. but on the other hand, i don't like being too. cold either. if you also found today uncomfortable, be warned — it is set to get a whole lot hotter this week. and it's because of the southerly wind. it absorbs heat over africa and then blasts up through spain and france and into the uk. there is a very small chance we could see temperatures of over 40 celsius on the weekend. heat health alerts are in place through much of england this week. we have a level two and three alerts in place. this is to basically alert health carers t

justin rowlatt, bbc news, cambridge.erienced its hottest day on record with the temperature reading 34.8 celsius in the scottish borders. lorna gordon is in coldingham bay. this is quite a jump, coldingham bay. this is quite a jump, isn't it, from the previous hottest temperature?— jump, isn't it, from the previous hottest temperature? yes, it really is, hottest temperature? yes, it really is. george. — hottest temperature? yes, it really is. george. warm _ hottest temperature? yes, it really is, george, warm and _ hottest temperature? yes, it really is, george, warm and comfortablel is, george, warm and comfortable by the sea this evening but you don't have to go very far inland for the oppressive heat to hit. as you said, the met office is reporting that just a few miles from here at charter hall in the scottish borders a new provisional maximum temperature for scott was reached earlier this afternoon, 34.8. that is nearly 2 degrees hotter than the previous record, which was set almost 20 years ago, also in the scottis

joining me now is our climate editor, justin rowlatt.long-term issue? in the last couple of da s we long-term issue? in the last couple of days we have _ long-term issue? in the last couple of days we have had _ long-term issue? in the last couple of days we have had a _ long-term issue? in the last couple of days we have had a glimpse - long-term issue? in the last couple of days we have had a glimpse into | of days we have had a glimpse into britain's climate future. if the world fails to tackle climate change, temperatures of 40 celsius could become part of a fairly normal summer, according to climate scientists. we know why, we know the science but it is worth repeating, burning fossil fields produces greenhouse gases which become trapped in the atmosphere, raising temperatures. as temperatures rise heatwaves become more frequent and hotter. look across europe for evidence of the extreme heat we could have in the uk by the end of the century. that tells us by cutting greenhouse gases is so important and it points to how we need to ad

justin rowlatt, bbc news, cambridge. real services have been heavily affected because of the heat.harles what has been affected and some trains l has been affected and some trains are running across the country but people have been trolled not to travel unless absolutely necessary. there are plenty of delays and cancellations around. some cases on route heading north out of london today passengers were simply told, do not travel. this afternoon all services in and out of london�*s station was suspended after a fire by the tracks caused by overhead power lines coming down and this afternoon van wesco said it was stopping all services for the remainder of today. 0ther stopping all services for the remainder of today. other issues around the country have included bookle rails, signalling problems and other issues with the overhead power lines with today and yesterday has simply been higher than the rail networks in its existing form was designed to cope with. i�*m told some disruption could continue into tomorrow morning. again, it passengers are told to check before they travel. pass

our climate editor, justin rowlatt explains for more on this lets join our climate editor justin rowlettl and the red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this is _ red square? this is the last stand for red squirrels, this is brown - red square? this is the last stand | for red squirrels, this is brown sea island, it's amazing, we have been here since dawn. it was beautiful here since dawn. it was beautiful here today. this is one of the last redoubts of red squirrels in southern england. there are 250 red squirrels on the island, we came here hoping to see them, one climbed up here hoping to see them, one climbed up that tree about one hour ago and thatis up that tree about one hour ago and that is all we have seen. there is evidence around. they nibble the pine cones. let try and find a pine cone they have been nibbling. here is can you see that? they hold them in their hands and the nibble and eat the whole thing. that is a tell—tale sign of red squirrels.

justin rowlatt reporting from london.peratures, with wildfires burning in parts of france, spain and portugal. high winds and tinder—dry conditions have helped to fuel the flames. our correspondent bethany bell reports from the algarve on the south coast of portugal. forests are aflame in southern europe after days of searing heat. wildfires continue to spread in southwestern france. hundreds of people had to be evacuated from the countryside around salamanca in spain was on fire. in portugal, the flames reached one of the country's main motorways. the emergency services are on high alert. in faro, in the algarve, some holiday—makers decided to go home early when the flames got too close. we're leaving because the fire was apparently controlled yesterday. but it's coming very close to our house. we were renting for one week of holiday and we decided not to stay for one day with with the risk of fire so close to us. portugal has experienced record high temperatures this week, a grim reality. climate change is, i think, tha

as our climate editor justin rowlatt reports — this type of extreme weather is likely to become more i put a hat on you? at this care home, they have been making sure their residents stay nice and cool. love it. so lucky, aren't we? we haven't seen this for years. i don't like it that hot. but on the other hand, - i don't like being too cold either. if you also found today uncomfortable, be warned, it is set to get a whole lot hotter this week. and it's because of the southerly wind. it absorbs heat over africa and then blasts up through spain and france and into the uk. there is a very small chance we could see temperatures of over 40 degrees celsius on the weekend. the places where these warm air masses are coming from before they get to us have warmed due to climate change and due to man—made, human emissions of greenhouse gases. and so the consequence of this is that when the weather conditions are such that we are experiencing a summertime heat wave, it's that much more likely that the temperatures we experience, the duration and the intensity is increased. don't think you can s

our climate editor, justin rowlatt has the story.e raise it up on a stand so that small animals can't access it. but where do you get squirrel contraceptives? the team are investigating two long—lasting birth control treatments. the lead scientist says progress has been good. she hopes it will be ready to roll out in the wild within two years. you could reduce them significantly, like bring them to the brink of local extinction, or even eradicate them from some areas, provided that you can do a coordinated control over large areas. reducing the population of grey squirrels should help protect the remaining red. it could save the timber industry millions of pounds a year and should also help tackle climate change by reducing damage to the vast new forests the government has promised to plant to soak up carbon dioxide emissions. so, it looks like the only loser is the grey squirrel. justin rowlatt, bbc news, the yorkshire dales national park. the tian shan mountains in kyrgyzstan are some of the most photographed in the world. but when

justin rowlatt, bbc news, manchester.are all overreacting, what do you say to that? is days, we are all overreacting, what do you say to that?— do you say to that? is sadly the sort of temperatures _ do you say to that? is sadly the sort of temperatures we - do you say to that? is sadly the sort of temperatures we are - do you say to that? is sadly the i sort of temperatures we are likely to experience today and tomorrow are, for some people, potentially deadly. if you are elderly, pregnant, if you have babies or toddlers, those people are particularly vulnerable to these really high temperatures, so this is not something to take lightly. harper not something to take lightly. how do we deal with _ not something to take lightly. how do we deal with it _ not something to take lightly. how do we deal with it for these couple of days and how do we adjust our lifestyles may be way into the future, for ever?— lifestyles may be way into the future, for ever? you said earlier we should _ future, for ever? you said earlier we shou

our climate editor, justin rowlatt explains he looks like another charming woodland creature.e exploring a more humane alternative. you won't be surprised to hear that squirrels just love this. it's a kind of hazelnut butter. they find it irresistible. and what the scientists are doing is dosing this with contraceptives. now, the idea is the squirrels will be unaffected, except, of course, they won't be able to produce any young. but how do you ensure only grey squirrels eat it? well, the scientists have come up with a cunning plan. so it has a weighted door at the front that an animal has to push open to access the bait. and this is the bait here. so, that's that paste. yeah. it has a metal case to keep out larger animals, and we raise it up on a stand so that small animals can't access it. but where do you get squirrel contraceptives? the team are investigating two long—lasting birth control treatments. the lead scientist on the team says progress has been good. she hopes it will be ready to roll out in the wild within two years. you could reduce them significantly, like bri

let's find out more from our climate editor, justin rowlatt, who's in dorset.a. is it going to work? it is a very clever idea. i _ clever idea. is it going to work? it is a very clever idea. i am - clever idea. is it going to work? it is a very clever idea. i am here . clever idea. is it going to work? it is a very clever idea. i am here onj is a very clever idea. i am here on brown _ is a very clever idea. i am here on brown sea — is a very clever idea. i am here on brown sea island in dorset. the sun is brown sea island in dorset. the sun must— brown sea island in dorset. the sun isjust coming up. absolutely beautiful. this is one of the last places— beautiful. this is one of the last places in— beautiful. this is one of the last places in england that you can find red squirrels. we were hoping that we would — red squirrels. we were hoping that we would see a few red squirrels this morning. to be honest, we haven't— this morning. to be honest, we haven't seen any. what i can show you some — haven't seen any. what i can show you some evidence of squirrels. loo

a couple of nights ago we were talking tojustin couple of nights ago we were talking to justin rowlattyear, of course. it's notjust in buildings. we also need to be adapting and making our infrastructure more resilient as well. we've also been recommending this for a number of years. for well. we've also been recommending this for a number of years.— this for a number of years. for you, what are the _ this for a number of years. for you, what are the priority _ this for a number of years. for you, what are the priority areas - this for a number of years. for you, what are the priority areas we i this for a number of years. for you, what are the priority areas we need | what are the priority areas we need to be particularly concerned about? the things that we have to try and maintain whatever the weather does? we have to focus in on keeping people safe. making sure our buildings don't become ovens and start to overheat people living inside. we need to make sure they are safe places for our inhabitants. especially our more elderly and more vulnerable population. but we also need to make

our climate editorjustin rowlatt can tell us why. justin.is it so hot? southerly winds are bringing hot air out from africa, helping to drive the brutal heat waves spain, portugal and france have been enduring. those same southerly winds have now brought that blistering heat here to the uk, what makes it worse is a weather system called a heat dome. it sits like a lid on a pot over europe, held in place by a high—pressure system. the sun heats it, but the air remains stuck within the dome so it is pushed back down to the parched earth, a temperatures higher and higher. indie to the parched earth, a temperatures higher and higher.— higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heat _ higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heat waves. _ higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heat waves. it _ higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heat waves. it is - higher and higher. we are not ruling out further heat waves. it is very - out further heat waves. it is very hot in _ out further heat waves. it is very hot in the