with lengthy sunny spells and a few isolated showers, then it will get warmer and turn more humid. all the details later. it's wednesday the 16th of august. england are preparing to face australia in the semifinal of the women s world cup this morning. the lionesses will go head to head with the hosts, in sydney, in the hope of reaching the final for the first time. we'll have all the build—up here on breakfast. our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party! even here in sports—mad australia, it's a moment that will never be forgotten. victory over france after a nerve—shredding penalty shoot—out earned the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process. but now comes the mouthwatering prospect of european champions england, and even the co—hosts admit that they're underdogs. look at resources financially, obviously they are a massive favourite going into this game, but if you then add the belief we have, but the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and the belief from the fans, and that itself is going to be massive. this vast stadium will shortly be filled with more than 70,000 australia fans, all desperate to see their side progress to the final at the expense of england, whose supporters here will of course be vastly outnumbered. the big question — whether their team can spoil the co—hosts' party. australia has enjoyed the upper hand so far this summer, its men's and women's cricket teams retaining the ashes and its netballers beating england in the world cup final. the lionesses, however, downplaying talk of a special rivalry. yeah, i asked players and staff and, actually for us and for them, so now it's for us too, we didn't we don't feel that rivalry that much. the main thing is that there's a lot of rivalry in rugby and cricket, that's mainly, and last week in netball. so we just know it's a very competitive... it's going to be very competitive game. whoever wins today now knows that they'll face spain in the final. in a match yesterday that sprung to life late on, opponents sweden equalised in the 88th minute, only for spain's captain olga carmona to score the winnerjust 93 seconds later... i don't believe it! ..sparking wild celebrations in auckland. the question now — who willjoin them in sunday's showpiece? dan roan, bbc news, sydney. shaimaa khaliljoins us from the sydney fan park. shaimaa, australia have home advantage. just how out—numbered are the england fans? incredibly outnumbered. that stadium that dan was speaking from, the stadium australia, has capacity of about 80000 and the fullest it has been is more than 75,000 in the last matildas game, we expect it to be that or more. that is not the only people going to be watching, we expect millions around the country. i hardly think anybody will not be watching. all—rounders are pubs with big signs that they will be showing the matildas versus the lionesses. you can feel the excitement and nerves, everyone wants to be in the moment when the teams face each other. yes, there is a friendly rivalry, but i have been speaking to some lionesses fans this morning who started cheering and singing and they said what rivalry? of course we will win. among them was maisie adam, the comedian, who arrived a bitjet—lagged but stopped to talk to us. i'm really nervous. i think this will be a really, really big test. i think the team that wins tonight will be the team that wins the world cup, i d0~ _ i do, i think the matildas have been fantastic, the lionesses have been brilliant, i think it will be a real battle, but it'll be an entertaining one. following the euros, you're keen tojust build on that success and there is a real momentum back home now for women's football, the women's game isjust going from strength to strength thanks to what the lionesses did last year and i think they're hoping to replicate it tonight and on sunday. the fans are starting early, just behind me eight curious farming to get into the fan zone, we are five hours away. matilda madness is all around us but the lionesses fans tell me when they are in the stadium the fans are going to see and hear them. coverage starts at ten o'clock this morning. in about an hour, the government will update us with the latest inflation figures, showing how fast prices are rising. economists are predicting a slight decrease but that doesn't mean a return to what we were paying last year, as our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. switching on�*s still not cheap, but a fall in the energy price cap on the 1st ofjuly took some of the heat out of bills and inflation. but other items are still getting more expensive. take food — a shop that would have cost you £60 a year ago is now more like 70. eating out has got similarly more expensive. some ingredients are getting cheaper, but retailers are still facing higher bills for things like wages and transport. so it's customers who often have to pick up the tab. however, the owners of this nigerian food store have limited price hikes, despite some costs doubling, hoping the pain�*s short lived. we hope all of the prices will go back to what it was sort of three or four years ago. if they don't, we'll have to unfortunately increase our prices so that we're able to absorb it, you know, so that the business can cope. but the reality may be less palatable. the man responsible for making the bank of england's predictions warned last week that the era of cheap food may be gone. unfortunately, kind of the days of seeing food prices fall, that does seem to be something that we may not be seeing for a little while yet, if in the future at all. in manchester, as elsewhere, people are feeling the bite from higher prices. sometimes it's a choice between food and paying a bill. that's a tough decision to make, it really is. and i'm full—time employed and i still struggle. so i can't imagine people who, you know, are part—time employed or unemployed. something's got to change because people just can't afford to shop like they used to. people are going without food because of rising costs, and a lot of it isn't necessary, it'sjust for profit. obviously, costs going up is not a good thing for anybody, is it? we're all feeling the pinch. you can see it on the high street. i mean, latest news of what's going to close down the high street. yeah, it's not good for anybody. i'm quite lucky i'm retired now, but for families, and my son who's just starting out, it's not good at all. inflation has slowed from its high of over io%, but it remains several times higher than the bank of england's 2% target, meaning borrowers may soon face the pain of another interest rate rise. dharshini david, bbc news. we will bring you those inflation figures at 7am. the daughter of captain sir tom moore was paid thousands of pounds for appearances in connection with her late father's charity, an investigation by bbc newsnight has found. hannah ingram—moore helped tojudge two awards ceremonies which featured the captain tom foundation, of which she was chief executive at the time, but the fee was paid to her family business. she is yet to respond to the claims, and the charity commission said it is investigating. the number of people confirmed dead in the wildfires which swept across the hawaian island of maui has risen to 101. most were in the town of lahaina, where the search for bodies is expected to last at least another week. many residents have complained about the slow pace of the federal government response to the disaster. documents in the case of andy malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, have raised fresh questions about why he wasn't granted an appeal sooner. the papers show that the real attacker was potentially identifiable just four years after the conviction, asjoe inwood reports. when andy malkinson walked out of court last month, he was finally free. i am not a liar. i am not in denial. but i will tell you who is. he was also furious with the police force responsible for his wrongful conviction. greater manchester police are liars and they are in denial. in 2004, he was convicted of a violent rape purely on the basis of witness identification. there was no dna linking andy malkinson to the scene of the crime, but there was the dna of another unknown man on a piece of clothing. the files seen by the bbc reveal that, as far back as 2009, greater manchester police knew this, as andy malkinson told bbc newsnight. i could have been out eight years before i was, yeah. if someone had actuallyjust looked at that match on the database, if someone had trawled the database. yes, if... well, i have to say, the ccrc had the opportunity back in 2010. they failed. the ccrc is the criminal case review commission, the body tasked with investigating miscarriages ofjustice. in 2012, they turned down his request for an appeal. it's thought cost was a factor. the justice system in the uk, england, is a big mess. there's no accountability to the police. to the cps. the ccrc is ineffective. if it looks like justice is being done, then that's good enough for them. they don't care about the integrity of the convictions. both police and prosecutors have previously apologised to andy malkinson, while the cps said they did disclose the evidence to his lawyers. the ccrc have been approached for comment. andy malkinson finally has freedom, but it's come at a terrible price. it seems if the system had worked, it could also have come much sooner. joe inwood, bbc news. councils are frequently failing to use their powers to tackle anti—social behaviour, a watchdog has found. a report by the local government and social care 0mbudsman features examples including a 13—hour—long party that was not stopped, and a man who was not prevented from throwing tennis balls at his neighbour. the local government association said councils are committed to tackling anti—social behaviour. companies vying to buy the homeware chain wilko, which fell into administration last week, have until today to make an offer. wilko, which has been trading since 1930, has more than 400 shops and employs 12,500 people. madonna has announced rescheduled dates for her world tour, which was disrupted when she fell seriously ill with a bacterial infection. the celebration tour will now start in london on october the 1ath, three months after it was originally due to begin in vancouver. a raccoon needed the help of two police officers when it got caught in a sticky situation. the creature was spotted running around perkins county, in the us state of ohio, with an emptyjar stuck on its head. the officers managed to detain the raccoon and work the jar loose before sending the animal on its way. he is fine. he doesn't look too distressed, everything was ok in the end. very trusting, it must be terrifying. i imagine he wasjust desperate for help. i wonder what was in the jar. peanut butter probably. carol's here with the weather. i have a bit of everything. if you like it warmer, humid, mist and fog, it is all in the forecast. this morning we have patchy mist and fog which will slowly lift, then we will see sunny spells, also a few showers in the forecast, but some of those are so isolated most of us will miss them altogether. you can see more cloud across parts of scotland and north—east england. some of this will linger across aberdeenshire, the moray firth and caithness through the day, with a few more showers developing through the day, but fewer and further between than yesterday, and a lot of dry weather and a bit of sunshine. feeling pleasantly warm in the sunshine, particularly if you dodge the showers. temperatures 1a in lerwick, 21 glasgow, top temperature are likely to be in london, around 26. through the evening and overnight, cloud in eastern parts of scotland, eastern england towards the midlands, sam hill fog embedded in that as well. the showers will tend to fade. not a cold night, 9—15. in some sheltered parts of the west, temperatures could get to 7—8. the cloud will tend to break up through tomorrow, a lot of dry weather, a few showers dotted around, most of us missing them, fewer than today. but an onshore breeze comes in along the north sea coast. it will feel cooler they are. tomorrow, despite what you see in the charts, somewhere in southern england we could reach 26 or 27. getting a little bit warmer. then on friday it will feel quite humid especially in the south, and it is going to be wet. i5 the south, and it is going to be wet. , , ~ , wet. is this like summer, the seauel? wet. is this like summer, the sequel? i _ wet. is this like summer, the sequel? i might _ wet. is this like summer, the sequel? i might use - wet. is this like summer, the sequel? i might use that - wet. is this like summer, the i sequel? i might use that later. 16 minutes past six. let's take a look at today's papers... a number of the front pages, including the times, feature the arrest of three bulgarians suspected of spying for russia in the uk. the paper focuses claims the trio used forged press cards to carry out surveillance operations. "let's waltz past the matildas" is the headline in the sun. a number of the australian papers are also covering the match. the herald sun's headline reads "dream team" and says the world cup clash is bigger than the ashes. and the australian daily "tilly—graph" reads "the smashes" as they say that sam kerr's matildas are ready to tame the lionesses in sydney tonight. take a look at this — paralympian swimmer ellie simmonds has been visiting a group of islands off the coast of indonesia to take part in a major coral reef restoration programme. we have said several times already, it is not like a normal silly season, it has been very busy, but proof the silly season as may be just beginning with summer weather coming back, loads of stuff in the telegraph about big cats being spotted. pare telegraph about big cats being sotted. �* , ., telegraph about big cats being sotted. �* i. telegraph about big cats being sotted. �* ., , spotted. are you saying that is sill ? spotted. are you saying that is silly? stoke-on-trent, - silly? stoke-on-trent, staffordshire, - silly? stoke-on-trent, i staffordshire, shropshire, silly? stoke-on-trent, - staffordshire, shropshire, parts silly? stoke-on-trent, _ staffordshire, shropshire, parts of skull, lots of speculation about big cats. —— parts of scotland. skull, lots of speculation about big cats. -- parts of scotland.- skull, lots of speculation about big cats. -- parts of scotland. parts of dog walkers _ cats. -- parts of scotland. parts of dog walkers spotting _ cats. -- parts of scotland. parts of dog walkers spotting in _ cats. -- parts of scotland. parts of dog walkers spotting in they - cats. -- parts of scotland. parts of dog walkers spotting in they said l dog walkers spotting in they said like cats. fix, dog walkers spotting in they said like cats. �* . , .., dog walkers spotting in they said like cats. �* . , .. ,, dog walkers spotting in they said like cats. �* . , ,, ., like cats. a lady called sue harwood said her friend _ like cats. a lady called sue harwood said her friend showed _ like cats. a lady called sue harwood said her friend showed her - like cats. a lady called sue harwood said her friend showed her a - like cats. a lady called sue harwood said her friend showed her a picture | said herfriend showed her a picture and said he is not the kind of guy who picked this up. it's a beautiful day for messing about on the river, and breakfast'sjohn maguire is by the thames in central london. john, you're there to tell us about a racing yacht with an incredible history. we area we are a hms president. this crew are serious about what they intend to do. making some final preparations before we set sail. you will know maiden as we have followed her story over the last couple of years. the first female crew to sail around the world back in 1990. a long time ago, tracey! she has been back for the last few years travelling around the world in an ambassador role promoting education for girls. now she is about to set sail again in for girls. now she is about to set sailagain in a for girls. now she is about to set sail again in a massive round the world race. every time she embarks on a voyage, maiden and her crew break records, smash glass ceilings, and make headlines, as they have for more than 30 years. now she's returning to her roots and will once again race around the planet. it was 1990 when tracy edwards skippered the first all—female crew to compete in the whitbread round the world yacht race — 12 women who changed the face of sailing forever. heather thomas is the new skipper for the ocean globe race and, at 26, is even younger than tracy was when she raced maiden. yeah, it was a bit of a shock when tracy asked me to be the skipper of maiden, but i was really honoured that she let me look after her baby and take it around the world, and very, very excited to be able to skipper an ocean race for the first time. six years ago, tracy rescued her beloved boat from the scrapheap in the indian ocean. fully restored, she now sails the world as a floating showcase to promote and support education for girls. and so her crew for the race is international. vuyi joins from durban in south africa and shows us what home will be like for the next eight months. this is our bunks, but we don't sleep at the same time, we switch off, it's four hours on or four hours off. maiden will be rolling back the years in more ways than one. the race rules mean they can't use this modern equipment to navigate. they'll plot their course using compass bearings, sextants, and the stars, as sailors have done since man and woman first set sail. all right, lana, can you take a bearing off that lateral mark over there, please? 18—year—old lana from puerto rico is the youngest crew member, and she can't wait to get started. my main role is the bow. so generally i'm in charge of sail changes, putting them up and down, making sure no lines get tangled and, yeah, just hanging out up here on the front. morale, you've got a morale job as well. i am, i am chief of morale. many people think... what do you have to do? so i keep spirits high, make sure everyone's happy. generally, it involves keeping them fed with lots of sugar. as the yacht sailed into london, tracy came alongside to greet her old friend. every time i see maiden, i'm excited. after 35 years, first setting eyes on her and going, "0h, i'm in love," even when she looked so awful, you know, in every reincarnation and every crew we have... i mean, this crew, this crew is amazing. so young — they make me feel quite old! you were them once before. well, i was them then. you know, they're young, they're dynamic, they're excited, they're committed, everything we were 33 years ago. so, maiden is about to take on the world one more time. some of the paint work and the crew may be new, but her ambition and the impact she'll have to excite and inspire girls wherever she's seen, is the same today as it's always been. i must say she looks in fine fettle, pretty immaculate. we will come on board and have a chat to a few of the crew members from all around the world. india, antigua, italy. tell me why you are on board and what you're looking forward to? you have sailed before but you have raced before. i sailed before but you have raced before. ., ., ., before. i have done a circumnavigation - before. i have done a circumnavigation in i before. i have done a - circumnavigation in 2017, 18, before. i have done a _ circumnavigation in 2017, 18, and we had women officers on a sailboat. after completing that, i was in love with sailing and i love doing it. it makes me happy. i thought why not give it a shot once again? find makes me happy. i thought why not give it a shot once again?— give it a shot once again? and you are riaht give it a shot once again? and you are right on _ give it a shot once again? and you are right on the _ give it a shot once again? and you are right on the eve _ give it a shot once again? and you are right on the eve of— give it a shot once again? and you are right on the eve of it _ give it a shot once again? and you are right on the eve of it now. - give it a shot once again? and you are right on the eve of it now. you have been on board for two years on the crew. this will be the first time you have erased.- the crew. this will be the first time you have erased. yes. -- raced. it is a different _ time you have erased. yes. -- raced. it is a different approach _ time you have erased. yes. -- raced. it is a different approach because - it is a different approach because before we were just cruising but now it is racing so it is super competitive and we are all excited for the race. find competitive and we are all excited for the race-— competitive and we are all excited for the race. and the amazing story and history. — for the race. and the amazing story and history. is— for the race. and the amazing story and history, is that _ for the race. and the amazing story and history, is that something you | and history, is that something you think about? at}! and history, is that something you think about?— think about? of course, it is remarkable, _ think about? of course, it is remarkable, and _ think about? of course, it is remarkable, and it - think about? of course, it is remarkable, and it will - think about? of course, it is remarkable, and it will be . think about? of course, it is| remarkable, and it will be an experience for everyone, notjust the people racing but everyone around the world watching and cheering us on.— around the world watching and cheerin: us on. ~ .,, ., , cheering us on. when i was on board esterda cheering us on. when i was on board yesterday sailing _ cheering us on. when i was on board yesterday sailing up _ cheering us on. when i was on board yesterday sailing up the _ cheering us on. when i was on board yesterday sailing up the times - cheering us on. when i was on board yesterday sailing up the times i - yesterday sailing up the times i asked people what they were most looking forward to and what they were perhaps anxious about with the race coming up. i had very surprising answers. what are you most looking forward to? i surprising answers. what are you most looking forward to?- most looking forward to? i think roundin: most looking forward to? i think rounding the _ most looking forward to? i think rounding the three _ most looking forward to? i think rounding the three capes, - most looking forward to? i think rounding the three capes, but i most looking forward to? i think. rounding the three capes, but also there is a bit of anxiousness regarding that point because it's going to be very tough, so everyone on board will put everything they have two race the best we can. that's what everyone said yesterday and i was amazed because going through the southern ocean, through those waves the size of mountains, it sounds terrifying, but it is what everyone is most excited about. you are crazy. everyone is most excited about. you are cra . �* . everyone is most excited about. you are cra . ~ ., , ., everyone is most excited about. you are cra . ~ ., ., are crazy. and we are proud of it! not a great _ are crazy. and we are proud of it! not a great deal _ are crazy. and we are proud of it! not a great deal of _ are crazy. and we are proud of it! not a great deal of room - are crazy. and we are proud of it! not a great deal of room down i are crazy. and we are proud of it! - not a great deal of room down below. you have to make sure you all get on. , ., you have to make sure you all get on, , ., . ., , ~ you have to make sure you all get on. ,., , . ., you have to make sure you all get on. ,., , ~ ., ., on. yes, of course. we are all caettin on. yes, of course. we are all getting on _ on. yes, of course. we are all getting on and _ on. yes, of course. we are all getting on and of— on. yes, of course. we are all getting on and of course - on. yes, of course. we are all getting on and of course we . on. yes, of course. we are all. getting on and of course we will have some issues but i think we handled it pretty well and that is what is important. find handled it pretty well and that is what is important.— what is important. and this navigation _ what is important. and this navigation business, - what is important. and this navigation business, i- what is important. and this i navigation business, i gather what is important. and this - navigation business, i gather it will largely be done by the skipper and the first mate, but fascinating to go back to the old—fashioned ways, no gps or mobile phones or high—tech kit. ways, no gps or mobile phones or high-tech kit-— high-tech kit. absolutely, it will be a crazy _ high-tech kit. absolutely, it will be a crazy thing _ high-tech kit. absolutely, it will be a crazy thing to _ high-tech kit. absolutely, it will be a crazy thing to do. - high-tech kit. absolutely, it will be a crazy thing to do. what - high-tech kit. absolutely, it will. be a crazy thing to do. what makes this race really special is celebrating 50 years of whitbread and we will do celestial navigation, learning new things while sailing, so we are looking forward to that. the southern ocean as well? definitely, second time. since i've already gone through it and seen a storm there once, i am holding my heart really tight. i think that is good advice for all the crew. when do you set off on how long will it take? pleat the crew. when do you set off on how long will it take?— long will it take? next month, the 10th of september, _ long will it take? next month, the 10th of september, and _ long will it take? next month, the 10th of september, and it - long will it take? next month, the 10th of september, and it will - long will it take? next month, the 10th of september, and it will be i 10th of september, and it will be about eight months, so next year in april, end of may, april. and about eight months, so next year in april, end of may, april. and people can track you? _ april, end of may, april. and people can track you? we _ april, end of may, april. and people can track you? we will _ april, end of may, april. and people can track you? we will have - april, end of may, april. and people can track you? we will have all- april, end of may, april. and people can track you? we will have all the i can track you? we will have all the technology — can track you? we will have all the technology on _ can track you? we will have all the technology on board, _ can track you? we will have all the technology on board, we _ can track you? we will have all the technology on board, we can't - can track you? we will have all the| technology on board, we can't look at it unless we are in an emergency, so everyone can go on the website and track us. and get everyday news from the boat. mil and track us. and get everyday news from the boat-— from the boat. all the very best to ou. it from the boat. all the very best to you- it will — from the boat. all the very best to you- it will be _ from the boat. all the very best to you. it will be an _ from the boat. all the very best to you. it will be an incredible - you. it will be an incredible endeavour. it's crazy the thing they are most looking forward to is the thing that sounds terrifying, going through the southern ocean. maiden has been around that route a few times before so she will probably know where she's going. we will have something very special later because the city of london will tip its hat to maiden and the crew, opening tower bridge for us to sail through. that is about quarter to eight. you're watching breakfast. still to come on today's programme... welcome! lovely. finally. oh, my gosh. this is great. we'll tell you about the trans—atlantic pen pals who finally met in person after nearly 70 years of written correspondence, which started when they were 12 years old. now they have come face—to—face. such a gorgeous story. and we'd love to hear your penpal stories. if you stayed in touch for a long time, if you met up with them in real life, you can tell us about it on whatsapp — the number is on screen now — and you can still get in touch with us by email, and on twitter. 0r or send us 0rsend usa or send us a letter! clubs for pen pals were quite big in their 60s and 70s. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. a very good morning, welcome to bbc london, i'm thomas magill. police investigating an attack outside a gay venue in clapham at the weekend have released an image of a man they would like to identify. it was taken from outside the two brewers pub where two men were stabbed in what is thought to have been a homophobic attack. police are appealing for witnesses after the attacker ran away. no arrests have been made. london fire brigade say battery fires from e—bikes and e—scooters are its "fastest growing fire trend" with a fire every two days. it says many are caused due to poorly made bike conversion kits. and it's calling for more regulation. buy from a reputable seller, that's absolutely essential. if you buy from an online marketplace or auction house, you could be buying something from the other side of the world that does not meet safety standards. also make sure you always use the right charger for the battery pack, because again the mismatch in voltage could cause a serious issue. a government spokesperson says, "we take public safety extremely seriously which is why we are consulting on modernising our product safety framework ensuring items sold online meet the same standards as on the high street." it's been announced that madonna's celebration tour will now kick off right here in london this october. it was originally due to open in canada but the first leg was cancelled after the singer suffered from a bacterial infection that left her in intensive care. now the opening night will be on the 14th of october at the 02. let's take a look at the tubes now. there's no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone on the bakerloo line and no london 0verground between euston and watford junction. a special bus service will be in place. now onto the weather with kate kinsella. good morning. any mistiness will clear first thing this morning to another day of sunshine or sunny spells, could be the small chance of one or two showers developing. an easterly breeze starts to develop, we will see some fair weather cloud edging in, and with that we mightjust get one or two showers but many places avoiding them today. staying dry and it's feeling warm in the sunshine as well, temperatures of up to around 26 celsius. now, the cloud and any showers will fade overnight, dry and clear, the minimum temperature between 12 and 15 celsius. as we head into thursday, it is looking like a largely dry day, lots of sunshine around tomorrow. a bit more of a breeze, that easterly will start to develop and again we mightjust get one or two showers but many places staying dry. temperatures tomorrow getting up to 2a or 25 celsius. the temperature is getting more humid as we get into friday, that air a little more unstable so the chance of some thundery showers for friday. but largely dry and find through the weekend, temperatures feeling warm especially into the first part of next week. that's it from me, more on the bbc news app and on bbc radio london. i'll be back in half an hour but for now let's go back to sally and jon. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. in around half an hour we'll get another indication of whether the rising cost of living is in fact slowing down, when the latest inflation figures are released. ben's at the birmingham wholesale market to tell us more. you are with all the fruit and veg, and there is a good reason? yes. and there is a good reason? yes, indeed, and there is a good reason? yes, indeed. good _ and there is a good reason? yes, indeed, good morning. _ and there is a good reason? 1a: indeed, good morning. we have sweet peppers here, we have some nectarines, or have we got here? aubergine, plenty of fresh fruit and veg. this is at the birmingham wholesale market. and the changing price of items like this affects the overall rate of inflation. inflation is a measure of how much prices have gone up compared with a year earlier for the goods and services that we typically spend our money on. we have seen those price rises started to slow down, the figure forjune was 7.9%, so things were still going up was 7.9%, so things were still going up in price but not as quickly as they wear. that figure is still way above the bank of england's target of 2%, and still quite a way above the prime minister's aim of getting inflation down to 5%. he promised that he would halve it by the end of the year, he made that promise and it was up at 10%. part of the problem is food prices have been rising so sharply, food items like these and many others, injuly, went up these and many others, injuly, went up ljy these and many others, injuly, went up by 12.7% on average. it is an average so somethings will have gone up average so somethings will have gone up even more sharply than that. as a the bank of england has increased interest rates 1a times in a row now taking them to 5.25%, the highest they have been since the financial crisis of 2008. the theory being, you make borrowing more expensive, people have less to spend, which lowers demand, and that tends in theory start to bring down prices. let's speak to mark who has had this stall for how long? {05} let's speak to mark who has had this stall for how long?— let's speak to mark who has had this stall for how long?_ you . stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting _ stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting to — stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting to see _ stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting to see price - stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting to see price rises - stall for how long? 40 years. you are starting to see price rises are| are starting to see price rises are slowing down, are you noticing that being reflective of what you are seeing is a business? the being reflective of what you are seeing is a business?— being reflective of what you are seeing is a business? the cost of livin: is seeing is a business? the cost of living is ubiquitous _ seeing is a business? the cost of living is ubiquitous all _ seeing is a business? the cost of living is ubiquitous all the - seeing is a business? the cost of living is ubiquitous all the way i living is ubiquitous all the way through— living is ubiquitous all the way through at the moment, reflecting on our business. we are seeing the prices _ our business. we are seeing the prices start _ our business. we are seeing the prices start to ease back now. a lot of it to _ prices start to ease back now. a lot of it to do _ prices start to ease back now. a lot of it to do with the weather in europe — of it to do with the weather in europe being warm bringing the produce — europe being warm bringing the produce on, the demand over here is not strong _ produce on, the demand over here is not strong because a lot of people are on— not strong because a lot of people are on holiday, a lot of produce is coming _ are on holiday, a lot of produce is coming onto— are on holiday, a lot of produce is coming onto the market so the prices falling _ coming onto the market so the prices falling and _ coming onto the market so the prices falling and it is better value all the way— falling and it is better value all the way through. the falling and it is better value all the way through.— falling and it is better value all the wa throu~h. , .,, the way through. the people feeling of livin: -- the way through. the people feeling of living -- cost _ the way through. the people feeling of living -- cost of— the way through. the people feeling of living -- cost of living _ of living —— cost of living pressures, what has come down in price? pressures, what has come down in rice? ,, ., , , , , price? strawberries, berries in aeneral, price? strawberries, berries in general. the — price? strawberries, berries in general, the demand - price? strawberries, berries in general, the demand from - price? strawberries, berries in general, the demand from the price? strawberries, berries in - general, the demand from the big stores _ general, the demand from the big stores has — general, the demand from the big stores has dropped. clementines, sweet _ stores has dropped. clementines, sweet potato has dropped down, and things— sweet potato has dropped down, and things like _ sweet potato has dropped down, and things like avocado. plenty of fresh produce. _ things like avocado. plenty of fresh produce, and if you shop local, you will save _ produce, and if you shop local, you will save yourselves a fortune. thank — will save yourselves a fortune. thank you _ will save yourselves a fortune. thank you very much. let's speak to emily from the birmingham chamber of commerce. businesses that you speak to, are they feeling the easing of prices that we have seen in the inflation figures forjune? for the first time since _ inflation figures forjune? for the first time since 2021, _ inflation figures forjune? for the first time since 2021, more - inflation figures forjune? for the first time since 2021, more of - inflation figures forjune? for the j first time since 2021, more of the businesses — first time since 2021, more of the businesses that we speak to are expecting — businesses that we speak to are expecting prices to stabilise over the next — expecting prices to stabilise over the next few months that is a positive — the next few months that is a positive sign, butjust over half are expecting prices to increase in the next _ are expecting prices to increase in the next few months. although inflation — the next few months. although inflation is coming down slightly, that doesn't mean that prices are decreasing, just that they are increasing less quickly. in which case when _ increasing less quickly. in which case when might _ increasing less quickly. in which case when might those - increasing less quickly. in which i case when might those businesses increasing less quickly. in which - case when might those businesses be able to pass on lower prices to customers? it's difficult to say, there are two main drivers of inflation, utility costs and labour costs. you tayla see costs, wholesale gas is coming down which is a positive sign although that has not filtered through in many places due to customers. but businesses are still concerned about labour costs and facing high level of recruitment difficulties so we are calling on the government to intervene physically to establish the right conditions for businesses to invest in their people and their skills. how much are the box of avocados? £10 for 16. ., ,., ., ,~' .,, £10for16. the reason i ask, i was standin: £10for16. the reason i ask, i was standing here _ £10for16. the reason i ask, i was standing here pondering _ £10for16. the reason i ask, i was standing here pondering the - standing here pondering the inflation figures and what they might show, and someone came up and said, how much a box, they thought i work to, clearly i look the part. i didn't have the answer for them and i do now, £10 box.— didn't have the answer for them and i do now, £10 box.- thanki i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank ou ve i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank you very much- — i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank you very much. in _ i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank you very much. in some _ i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank you very much. in some parts- i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank you very much. in some parts of. i do now, £10 box. bargain. thank. you very much. in some parts of the uk, i am going to be very careful because carol is in the room, but in all parts of the room, let's share with that, it is tower bridge, looks, two buses going across. iii looks, two buses going across. in the next hour we will see the looks, two buses going across. i�*i the next hour we will see the bridge open up live for the maiden, the ship taking part in the whitbread race, the ocean globe race, the maiden taking part so we will see that disappearing in the sunshine, may be? that disappearing in the sunshine, ma be? , �* , , may be? isn't everything better with a blue s , may be? isn't everything better with a blue sky, carol? _ it is, and there is probably a third bus coming, you know what they say! we are looking at a lovely day ahead if you like the sunshine. patchy mist and fog will lift quite quickly and then we have sunshine coming through, some of us starting with this and thanks for this cracking picture. high pressure in charge of our weather today, so the weather is fairly settled, for some it is a cloudy start, one or two showers dotted around. for most it is going to be dry. the bulk of the cloud will be across parts of scotland and north—east england. a lot of that will break up but it could linger around aberdeenshire, and also across caithness. the showers scattered, fewer than yesterday, we could catch the odd shop on but we are not expecting any thunder and these are the temperatures. 14 to 26. into the overnight, we will have cloud across parts of scotland, also north—east england down towards the midlands, summerhill fog embedded in that as well. not a particularly cold night, our overnight lows aren't nine to 14 or 15 degrees. in some sheltered western areas, seven or eight. tomorrow we have high pressure in charge of our weather, settled conditions, fewer showers than today. an onshore flow coming in from the north sea so here it will be cooler but we are tapping into the warm air coming in from the near continent. 0n into the warm air coming in from the near continent. on thursday we start off with overnight cloud but it will tend to break, a few showers here and there, a lot of sunshine around. you can see the breeze coming in from the north sea. here it will be a little bit cooler, tomorrow we could hit 27 degrees. as we head on into friday, it is a complicated picture. essentially we have two weather fronts coming our way, picture. essentially we have two weatherfronts coming our way, and both of them are going to bring heavy and thundery rain, pushing northwards and eastwards. a fair bit of cloud ahead of them coming in, some of that cloud will be thick enough for some drizzle, and then here comes the first front, here comes the second and the two of them could emerge. sunnier skies are likely to be across the north of scotland, eastern england hanging onto the drier conditions and the sunshine but one thing you will notice about friday is it is going to turn more humid from the south. top temperature up to 26 degrees. friday into saturday, the rain will continue to migrate north. it is going to be a warm night, very warm night, we might have a tropical night, we might have a tropical night which is when temperatures in some places do not drop lower than 20 degrees. it will be a warm start to the on saturday, the rain moving steadily north, and behind it a return to sun shines, a few showers, breezy conditions. 15 to 25 or 26 but one thing is that it will feel fresher. ~ ., ., , , fresher. we are all slightly distracted _ fresher. we are all slightly distracted by _ fresher. we are all slightly distracted by the _ fresher. we are all slightly distracted by the promise l fresher. we are all slightlyi distracted by the promise of fresher. we are all slightly i distracted by the promise of a tropical night, we will look forward to that on friday. the tropical night, we will look forward to that on friday.— to that on friday. the pina colada on standby- _ to that on friday. the pina colada on standby. john _ to that on friday. the pina colada on standby. john is _ to that on friday. the pina colada on standby. john is here. - to that on friday. the pina colada on standby. john is here. hours i on standby. john is here. hours awa , it on standby. john is here. hours away. it is _ on standby. john is here. hours away. it is a _ on standby. john is here. hours away, it is a huge _ on standby. john is here. hours away, it is a huge moment - on standby. john is here. hours away, it is a huge moment for i away, it is a huge moment for english football and the english women's side, the semifinal of the world cup doesn't roll around all that often. all of the difficulties that often. all of the difficulties that england have faced at the tournament so far, injuries and absentees. it tournament so far, in'uries and absenteesh tournament so far, in'uries and absentees. �* , , . absentees. it hasn't been perfect. from a footballing _ absentees. it hasn't been perfect. from a footballing side, _ absentees. it hasn't been perfect. from a footballing side, they - absentees. it hasn't been perfect. | from a footballing side, they have not really hit their stride as we have seen them in a past as european champions. it could all change. no easy task when you face the co—hosts australia. and what a morning ahead for england as they face the co—hosts australia at 11 o clock for a place in sunday's women's world cup final. jane dougall is there. jane is in sydney, good morning, jane. from a sporting perspective england have had to overcome several setbacks, injuries, absentees, but they have found a way through this tournament so far.— tournament so far. they have, and ho efull tournament so far. they have, and hopefully they _ tournament so far. they have, and hopefully they will _ tournament so far. they have, and hopefully they will be _ tournament so far. they have, and hopefully they will be looking - tournament so far. they have, and hopefully they will be looking to i tournament so far. they have, and| hopefully they will be looking to do the same in a few hours' time. probably their toughest opponents so far this tournament. animosity tends to go hand—in—hand with an australian england fixture regardless of the sport and this is no exception, the controversy ahead of the match has been the daily australian telegraph, one of this country because my newspapers, it sent a helicopter up over england's training session to try and get an idea of the plan, to try to stop the australians. we don't know whether this footage was passed on to the australian coaching staff, but we know that this newspaper has got form of doing this before, it is something of a spy gate scandal. a few weeks ago they sent a helicopter up few weeks ago they sent a helicopter up over the matildas while they were training to try and get an idea of whether sam kerr was training or not after she was out during her injury. already, we have got some rivalry, and a lot of animosity between the countries. just to show you how much everyone in australia is getting behind the matildas, have a look at today's daily telegraph, they have named it the tillygraph after the matildas and they have a 16 page pull—out. plans to stop the english attack. and they had included this, attack. and they had included this, a picture of sam kerr that you can turn into a facemask if you really wanted to do, to have around the stadium. this stadium is expected to have 75,000, a sell—out, and we are anticipating that it will be mostly green and gold. there have been reports that some australian hands had been using some of the england tickets —— australian fans had been using england tickets develop the england end so the lionesses fans could be outnumbered when it comes to noise. but the lionesses have faced so many obstacles already, they feel they are prepared to take on australia in what will be their biggest match yet this tournament. fascinating to hear some of the tactics at play there in sydney. and that isn't even from the teams! we will be back with jane later on in the programme, coverage at 10am on bbc one ahead of the game later. away from the world cup, rangers have moved to within one round of reaching the group stages of the champions league. they're through to the play off round after drawing 1—1 with the swiss side servette in the second leg of their qualifer giving them a 3—2 win on aggregate. rangers will now play psv eindhoven in the final play—off round meanwhile tonight, manchester city are back in action as they face sevilla in the european super cup as the champions league winners take on the europa league winners. but city will be without one of their star players and will miss him for a big chunk of the season, kevin de bruyne out for around three to four months, because of a hamstring injury. the club deciding if he'll need surgery. and in saudi arabia, yet another big name. brazilian striker neymar is the latest player to move across leaving paris saint—germain after six years. he joins al—hilal and will play alongside former premier league players kalidou koulibaly and ruben neves. with the rugby world cup starting just over three weeks today, there's been a huge boost for england. captain 0wen farrell who picked up a red card against wales on saturday has seen it rescinded, meaning he's available to start the tournament. it was thought he'd receive at least a three game ban ruling him out of england's remaining warm—up matches and their first match with argentina. he's back, as predicted, ben stokes coming out of retirement to play one day cricket again. england's test captain will be named in a 15 man squad for their upcoming series with new zealand this morning. the bulk of that party will then form the squad for the world cup in india in october and november where england will defend the title they won in 2019. tell you what, this is a spot of fielding ben stokes would be proud of. london spirit batting against the oval invincibles. what a stop from ross whiteley on the boundary, an incredible effort to stop a six which would have put the spirit in touching distance of victory. but sam curran then finished the spirit off. what ups and downs. there was disappointment for two of britain's men in the first round of the singles at the cincinatti 0pen, cameron norrie and dan evans both going out. and murray beats djokovic. not that murray! not andy but his brotherjamie, who, alongside his partner michael venus beat novak djokovic and nikola cacic in straight sets in the opening round of the men's doubles. don't often see novak djokovic playing doubles and i'm sure he will not again if he is losing. iloathed playing doubles and i'm sure he will not again if he is losing.— not again if he is losing. what is he doinu not again if he is losing. what is he doing there, _ not again if he is losing. what is he doing there, what's - not again if he is losing. what is he doing there, what's going i not again if he is losing. what is| he doing there, what's going on? defeats, like in the wimbledon final! that big world cup match, england versus australia, which kicks off at 11 o'clock this morning and millions of fans will be watching the action on bbc one. tim muffett�*s with a group of young players in north london. i know it will be very exciting there, good morning, tim. good morning, a few hours until kick off and the excitement is building in north london. this is highbury wolvesjunior in north london. this is highbury wolves junior football club. in north london. this is highbury wolvesjuniorfootball club. go back wolves junior football club. go back to wolvesjuniorfootball club. go back to 2014, there was one female player in the team, now there are more than 100. what better example in the growth of popularity of women's football. they are all going to be watching the match as it kicks off at 11am. let's talk to anita assante, former lioness, coach of bristol city, what are your thoughts about the match? i’m bristol city, what are your thoughts about the match?— bristol city, what are your thoughts about the match? i'm really excited for this match. _ about the match? i'm really excited for this match. it's _ about the match? i'm really excited for this match. it's a _ about the match? i'm really excited for this match. it's a great - for this match. it's a great matchup, its finely balanced but i'm confident that the lionesses will deliver a good performance and a good result. deliver a good performance and a good result-— deliver a good performance and a aood result. ~ ., , ., ., ~ ., good result. what you make of the performances _ good result. what you make of the performances so _ good result. what you make of the performances so far, _ good result. what you make of the performances so far, as _ good result. what you make of the performances so far, as a - good result. what you make of the performances so far, as a former i performances so far, as a former lioness? , ., ., ., lioness? they have grown into the tournament. _ lioness? they have grown into the tournament, every _ lioness? they have grown into the tournament, every game - lioness? they have grown into the tournament, every game they i lioness? they have grown into the | tournament, every game they have improved and they have fine tuned how they wanted to play and may have got themselves to a semifinal which is not an easy feat. lots of big teams have gone out of the competition so it's great that they have made it this far. isn’t competition so it's great that they have made it this far.— have made it this far. isn't it brilliant to _ have made it this far. isn't it brilliant to see _ have made it this far. isn't it brilliant to see this? - have made it this far. isn't it brilliant to see this? you i have made it this far. isn't it| brilliant to see this? you will have made it this far. isn't it i brilliant to see this? you will be so familiar with the growth of the women's game at this is fantastic to see, the enthusiasm and excitement. absolutely, especially after the euros win, young girls have got involved thanks to the national lottery players investment, £50 million, clubs like highbury wolves have been able to develop more clubs and teams within their club. to have nearly 100 girls participating here todayis nearly 100 girls participating here today is fantastic. nearly100 girls participating here today is fantastic.— nearly 100 girls participating here today is fantastic. fingers crossed for the match. _ today is fantastic. fingers crossed for the match. earlier _ today is fantastic. fingers crossed for the match. earlier i _ today is fantastic. fingers crossed j for the match. earlierl mentioned for the match. earlier i mentioned the fact that there was one female player here in 2014, here she is, shannon, you are now the coach, congratulations. what it is like, you have got the ball, shows your skills, very good! how are you feeling now?— skills, very good! how are you feelin: now? , , . ., �* , skills, very good! how are you feelin now? , , . . �*, . feeling now? this is amazing, it's a treat feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team — feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team to _ feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team to grow _ feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team to grow up _ feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team to grow up with, i i feeling now? this is amazing, it's a great team to grow up with, i have | great team to grow up with, i have been _ great team to grow up with, i have been here — great team to grow up with, i have been here since i was eight and they have been— been here since i was eight and they have been hit my highs and lows and i have been hit my highs and lows and i were _ have been hit my highs and lows and i were lewis — have been hit my highs and lows and i were lewis be with them. and the england _ i were lewis be with them. and the england match, ithink i were lewis be with them. and the england match, i think england will win 2-i. _ england match, i think england will win 2-i. 3-2 — england match, i think england will win 2-1, 3-2-— win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last ear, win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last year. what _ win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last year, what difference _ win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last year, what difference did - win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last year, what difference did you i win 2-1, 3-2. after the euros last i year, what difference did you notice in terms of the excitement and the following of the game? mar; in terms of the excitement and the following of the game?— following of the game? way more uirls are following of the game? way more girls are interested _ following of the game? way more girls are interested in _ following of the game? way more girls are interested in people. i following of the game? way more| girls are interested in people. men interested — girls are interested in people. men interested in women's football as well, _ interested in women's football as well, having more of an interest in it, well, having more of an interest in it. and _ well, having more of an interest in it. and liking — well, having more of an interest in it, and liking to play it more. hang on, ass it, and liking to play it more. hang on. pass the _ it, and liking to play it more. hang on, pass the ball, _ it, and liking to play it more. hang on, pass the ball, shall— it, and liking to play it more. hang on, pass the ball, shall i _ it, and liking to play it more. hang on, pass the ball, shall! show- it, and liking to play it more. hang on, pass the ball, shall i show you my skills? g0 on, pass the ball, shall! show you m skills? ., on, pass the ball, shall! show you my skills?- thank— on, pass the ball, shall! show you my skills?- thank you i on, pass the ball, shall! show you my skills?- thank you very. my skills? go on. thank you very much! i my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will— my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will let _ my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will let you _ my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will let you carry - my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will let you carry on i my skills? go on. thank you very much! i will let you carry on with| my skills? go on. thank you very. much! i will let you carry on with a coaching session. you will be watching in the club has at 11am. let's talk to molly and libby, how are you? let's talk to molly and libby, how are ou? ., ~ i. let's talk to molly and libby, how are you?— how i let's talk to molly and libby, how i are you?_ how are are you? good, thank you. how are ou are you? good, thank you. how are you feeling — are you? good, thank you. how are you feeling ahead _ are you? good, thank you. how are you feeling ahead of _ are you? good, thank you. how are you feeling ahead of the _ are you? good, thank you. how are you feeling ahead of the match? i are you? good, thank you. how are | you feeling ahead of the match? i'm reall you feeling ahead of the match? in really excited for the match, and i hope that england win. iloathed really excited for the match, and i hope that england win.— really excited for the match, and i hope that england win. what is the school going _ hope that england win. what is the school going to _ hope that england win. what is the school going to be? _ hope that england win. what is the school going to be? it _ hope that england win. what is the school going to be? it is _ hope that england win. what is the school going to be? it is going i hope that england win. what is the school going to be? it is going to l school going to be? it is going to be 1-1, england _ school going to be? it is going to be 1-1, england winning - school going to be? it is going to be 1-1, england winning on i be 1—1, england winning on penalties. be 1-1, england winning on penalties-— be 1-1, england winning on enalties. , ,, . . ., penalties. very specific, i love it. what is it like — penalties. very specific, i love it. what is it like play _ penalties. very specific, i love it. what is it like play for _ penalties. very specific, i love it. what is it like play for the - penalties. very specific, i love it. what is it like play for the team? j what is it like play for the team? it's a nice atmosphere, we are newer but it's— it's a nice atmosphere, we are newer but it's been— it's a nice atmosphere, we are newer but it's been very welcoming and it's nice — but it's been very welcoming and it's nice to— but it's been very welcoming and it's nice to get to know lots of girls— it's nice to get to know lots of girls our— it's nice to get to know lots of girls ourage. it's nice to get to know lots of girls our age-— it's nice to get to know lots of girls our age. it's nice to get to know lots of cairlsourae.~ ., ,, ., girls our age. what inspired you to -la girls our age. what inspired you to play football? _ girls our age. what inspired you to play football? when _ girls our age. what inspired you to play football? when i _ girls our age. what inspired you to play football? when i was - girls our age. what inspired you to play football? when i was younger girls our age. what inspired you to | play football? when i was younger i wasn't really _ play football? when i was younger i wasn't really good _ play football? when i was younger i wasn't really good at _ play football? when i was younger i wasn't really good at many - play football? when i was younger i wasn't really good at many things . wasn't really good at many things and then— wasn't really good at many things and then i— wasn't really good at many things and then i discovered that i was all i’ilht and then i discovered that i was all right at— and then i discovered that i was all right at football and i was determined to be better at it. and i still football on tv and stuff and i was like. — still football on tv and stuff and i was like. i— still football on tv and stuff and i was like, i want to do that, i want to be— was like, i want to do that, i want to be that — was like, i want to do that, i want to be that-— was like, i want to do that, i want to be that. ., ., i. ., ., to be that. how about you, what got ou to be that. how about you, what got you involved? _ to be that. how about you, what got you involved? my — to be that. how about you, what got you involved? my brother _ to be that. how about you, what got you involved? my brother used i to be that. how about you, what got you involved? my brother used to i you involved? my brother used to -la as a you involved? my brother used to play as a little — you involved? my brother used to play as a little kid, _ you involved? my brother used to play as a little kid, so _ you involved? my brother used to play as a little kid, so then i i play as a little kid, so then i joined highbury wolves after england won the euros, because it really inspired me and i wanted to be like them because i wanted to win lots of trophies. them because i wanted to win lots of tro - hies. ., ., trophies. imagine if england win the world cu - , trophies. imagine if england win the world cup. how _ trophies. imagine if england win the world cup, how many _ trophies. imagine if england win the world cup, how many more - trophies. imagine if england win the world cup, how many more peoplel trophies. imagine if england win the i world cup, how many more people like yourselves will be taking part. share yourselves will be taking part. are the auoin yourselves will be taking part. fife: they going to do it? yourselves will be taking part. sixe: they going to do it? yes! yourselves will be taking part. are they going to do it? yes! i - yourselves will be taking part. are they going to do it? yes! i will. yourselves will be taking part. are they going to do it? yes! i will let| they going to do it? yes! i will let ou aet they going to do it? yes! i will let you get back. _ they going to do it? yes! i will let you get back, future _ they going to do it? yes! i will let you get back, future stars - they going to do it? yes! i will let you get back, future stars of i you get back, future stars of tomorrow, you never know. a few hours until kick off, excitement is building here. the clubhouse is around the corner and the big screen is fired up and ready to go so they will be watching the match when it kicks off, fingers crossed. thank you. they are up bright and early, quarterto thank you. they are up bright and early, quarter to seven in the morning and you have them all playing. morning and you have them all -la inc. :, ., ., ., ., playing. how did we manage to do that? they — playing. how did we manage to do that? they need _ playing. how did we manage to do that? they need to _ playing. how did we manage to do that? they need to have _ playing. how did we manage to do that? they need to have a - playing. how did we manage to do that? they need to have a break i playing. how did we manage to do| that? they need to have a break at 11am to watch _ that? they need to have a break at 11am to watch the _ that? they need to have a break at 11am to watch the game! _ we're talking about pen pals this morning, lots of you getting in touch. sharon smith, "i have been writing to my pen pal for almost 60 years we started writing in junior school as a chain letter. we have met several times firstly in 1981, sue came and stayed with me and my new husband. these days we whatsapp and email, it always amazes me that we can speak and message each other these days when we used to write to each other and it took weeks for the blue airmail letters to come!" blue airmail letters, remember those? david griffiths in holyhead says, i was on the radio sweden pen pal list in 1978. i started writing to four people from all over the globe. i am still in touch with one today. iris young from tuscaloosa, alabama. we write, email now, a few times a year, have met four times in the 45 years since 78. jeff said, my secondary school had a partnership with the school in the netherlands and in year seven at age 11 i started writing to a dutch student called benjamin, a few years later we found each other on social media and in our 20s we travelled in europe together. we ended up having such a great bond, last year he was my best man at my wedding in yorkshire. brute my best man at my wedding in yorkshire-— my best man at my wedding in yorkshire. . s, s, , s, , yorkshire. we would love your pen al yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories- — yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories- if _ yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories. if you _ yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories. if you have _ yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories. if you have got - yorkshire. we would love your pen pal stories. if you have got in i pal stories. if you have got in touch with someone years ago and stayed in touch and met up, like the two ladies we have been talking to, and those have got history and connection. and those have got history and connection-— connection. and all of those letters. connection. and all of those letters- they _ connection. and all of those letters. they have - connection. and all of those letters. they have only i connection. and all of those letters. they have onlyjust| connection. and all of those i letters. they have onlyjust met letters. they have only 'ust met after 70 years i letters. they have only 'ust met after 70 years of. i letters. they have only 'ust met after 70 years of. did i letters. they have onlyjust met after 70 years of. did you i letters. they have onlyjust met after 70 years of. did you ever i letters. they have onlyjust met i after 70 years of. did you ever have after 70 years of. did you ever have a en after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? — after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? no. _ after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? no. if— after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? no, if only— after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? no, if only we _ after 70 years of. did you ever have a pen pal? no, if only we had i after 70 years of. did you ever have | a pen pal? no, if only we had known each other then. _ a pen pal? no, if only we had known each other then. my _ a pen pal? no, if only we had known each other then. my wife _ a pen pal? no, if only we had known each other then. my wife did, - each other then. my wife did, someone in sweden and they are still mates. . �* , ~ , someone in sweden and they are still mates. ., �* , . , , �* someone in sweden and they are still mates. . �* , ~ , , �* mates. that's incredible, isn't it? that's dedication. _ mates. that's incredible, isn't it? that's dedication. i— mates. that's incredible, isn't it? that's dedication. i guess - mates. that's incredible, isn't it? that's dedication. i guess social. that's dedication. i guess social media changes _ that's dedication. i guess social media changes it _ that's dedication. i guess social media changes it now _ that's dedication. i guess social media changes it now and - that's dedication. i guess social. media changes it now and e-mails. that's dedication. i guess social- media changes it now and e-mails. we media changes it now and e—mails. we would love your stories this morning. still to come on breakfast. we had a huge response to our story yesterday about the cost of school uniforms despite new rules which were supposed to make it cheaper. we'll speak to a head teachers' leader about what more can be done. to help parents at this very expensive time of year. there is a law change in england which means that schools are not supposed to insist on branded emblem logo uniforms any more, but lots of you saying that your schools are still insisting on that as the new term begins and this cost of buying that extra specific stuff is really mounting up. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. a very good morning. welcome to bbc london. i'm thomas magill. police investigating an attack outside a gay venue in clapham at the weekend have released an image of a man they would like to identify. it was taken outside the two brewers pub where two men, one in his 20s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed in what is thought to have been a homophobic attack. police are appealing for witnesses after the attacker ran away. no arrests have been made. an international manhunt for three people continues following the murder of io—year—old sara sharif. the girl's body was found alone in the early hours of last thursday morning at her home in woking. surrey police said the three people it was trying to locate — who were known to sara — left the uk the previous day. london fire brigade say battery fires from e—bikes and e—scooters are its "fastest growing fire trend" with a fire every two days. it says many are caused due to poorly made bike conversion kits. and it's calling for more government regulation regulation. buy from a reputable seller, that's absolutely essential. if you buy from an online marketplace or auction house, you could be buying something from the other side of the world that does not meet safety standards. also make sure you always use the right charger for the battery pack, because again the mismatch in voltage could cause a serious issue. a government spokesperson says "we take public safety extremely seriously which is why we are consulting on modernising our product safety framework ensuring items sold online meet the same standards as on the high street." let's take a look at the tubes now. there's no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone on the bakerloo line and no 0verground between euston and watford junction. a special bus service will be in place. now onto the weather with kate kinsella. good morning. any mistiness will clear first thing this morning to another day of sunshine or sunny spells, just the small chance of one or two showers developing. an easterly breeze starts to develop, we will see some fair weather cloud edging in, and with that we mightjust get one or two showers but many places avoiding them today. staying dry and it's feeling warm in the sunshine as well, temperatures of up to around 26 celsius. now, the cloud and any showers will fade overnight, dry and clear, the minimum temperature between 12 and 15 celsius. as we head into thursday, it is looking like a largely dry day, lots of sunshine around tomorrow. a bit more of a breeze, that easterly will start to develop and again we mightjust get one or two showers but many places staying dry. temperatures tomorrow getting up to 2a or 25 celsius. the temperature is getting more humid as we get into friday, that air a little more unstable so the chance of some thundery showers for friday. but largely dry and fine through the weekend, temperatures feeling warm especially into the first part of next week. that's it from me — more on the bbc news app and there are regular bulletins on bbc radio london throughout the morning. i'll be back in half an hour but for now lets go back to sally and john. good morning welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today... cheering. it's all eyes on sydney, as england play australia for a place in the final of the women's world cup. arguably one of the biggest moments in women's football. the players are ready, the fans are here. it is matilda madness in australia but the lionesses fans will make their voices heard. fresh questions in the case of andy malkinson, who spent 17 years injailfora rape he didn't commit. documents show his conviction could have been quashed more than a decade ago. cost of living pressures easing slightly again, the latest figures forjuly show average prices rising but at a slower rate. i will have the details live from birmingham wholesale market in a few minutes. a meeting 70 years in the writing. the pen pals who've shared each other�*s lives through 1000 letters meet face to face for the very first time. today we've got some patchy mist and fog to clear but when it does most will have a dry day with sunny spells, a few isolated showers, and in the next few days it will turn warmer and more humid, especially friday. all the details later. it's wednesday the 16th of august. england are preparing to face australia in the semi—final of the women's world cup this morning. the lionesses will go head to head with the hosts, in sydney, in the hope of reaching the final for the first time. we'll have all the build—up here on breakfast. our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party! even here in sports—mad australia, it's a moment that will never be forgotten. victory over france after a nerve—shredding penalty shoot—out earned the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process. but now comes the mouthwatering prospect of european champions england, and even the co—hosts admit that they're underdogs. look at resources financially, obviously they are a massive favourite going into this game, but if you then add the belief we have, but the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and the belief from the fans, and that itself is going to be massive. this vast stadium will shortly be filled with more than 70,000 australia fans, all desperate to see their side progress to the final at the expense of england, whose supporters here will of course be vastly outnumbered. the big question — whether their team can spoil the co—hosts' party. australia has enjoyed the upper hand so far this summer, its men's and women's cricket teams retaining the ashes and its netballers beating england in the world cup final. the lionesses, however, downplaying talk of a special rivalry. yeah, i asked players and staff and, actually for us and for them, so now it's for us too, we don't feel that rivalry that much. the main thing is that there's a lot of rivalry in rugby and cricket, that's mainly, and last week in netball. so we just know it's a very competitive... it's going to be a very competitive game. whoever wins today now knows that they'll face spain in the final. in a match yesterday that sprung to life late on, opponents sweden equalised in the 88th minute, only for spain's captain olga carmona to score the winnerjust 93 seconds later... i don't believe it! ..sparking wild celebrations in auckland. the question now — who willjoin them in sunday's showpiece? dan roan, bbc news, sydney. shaimaa khaliljoins us from the sydney fan park. shaimaa, australia have home advantage. just how out—numbered are the england fans? that stadium where dan was speaking from, imagine that at full capacity, when it is full or nearly full, more than 75,000 people so far, i reckon it will be more than that, and i imagine most of that will be in green and gold, matilda fans. there is a queuejust green and gold, matilda fans. there is a queue just to the left of me getting a lot longer. good luck, guys. mostly matilda fans who just erupt in cheering, impromptu cheering. the england team might be playing 11 players on the pitch but off the pitch they have tens of thousands in the stadiums and millions around the country. the matildas games around france oak viewership —— broke viewership records. but the lionesses fans are here and want to make their voices heard. i met up with them outside the sydney opera house earlier. really looking forward to it, very confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in _ confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in april _ confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in april we _ confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in april we had - confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in april we had a - confident, bring it on. confident, obviously in april we had a little| obviously in april we had a little blip against them but i think we are back stronger. i think we can win it. i back stronger. i think we can win it. ., , ~ ., it. i am buzzing, i think we are read . it. i am buzzing, i think we are ready- we _ it. i am buzzing, i think we are ready. we are _ it. i am buzzing, i think we are ready. we are definitely - it. i am buzzing, i think we are - ready. we are definitely outnumbered but toni . ht ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we — ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we will _ ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we will be _ ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we will be up _ ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we will be up for - ready. we are definitely outnumbered but tonight we will be up for it. - but tonight we will be up for it. there _ but tonight we will be up for it. there is— but tonight we will be up for it. there is no_ but tonight we will be up for it. there is no rivalry. it's not cricket. we are going to win, we are going to bring it home, ioo%. i going to bring it home, ioo%. i think there is going to be a little bit of rivalry, actually a whole lot of rivalry. i can tell you this, there is so much respect and love and reverence for the england team. i asked one of the fans why so many people wanted the matildas to play the lionesses and he said we want our girls to play the best and england are the best. we are in history making territory because whoever wins today will play against spain and either team will go where they have never gone before. in the last few minutes, the ons has released its latest inflation figures, which show how fast prices are rising. the overall rate is 6.8%. what does it mean for interest rates? ben's in birmingham and has the details. well, it is a drop compared tojune but remember a lower rate of inflation doesn't necessarily mean prices are falling, itjust means that on average goods and services went up in price at a slower rate than they did injune. july's figure of 6.8%, it means on average if you spend £100 on a range of things 12 months before, those same things would cost you £106.80. it is a slowing of price rises, which is what we need to see to ease the cost of living pressures, but it is still way above the bank of england target of 2% and still quite some way above the 5% or so that the prime minister pledged to get inflation down to by the end of this year. he made that promise when inflation was around 10%. things are moving in the right direction but it still means that prices are rising compared with one year earlier. the bank of england looks at this figure when it decides what to do on interest rates and because inflation is still significantly higher than the bank would like it to be it means we have seen those 1a interest rises in a row, there is some speculation that those interest rates could rise further, the theory being that it reduces spending power and means demand is lowerfor goods reduces spending power and means demand is lower for goods and services and in theory law demand means prices start to come down but of course in the short—term higher borrowing costs means increased pain and pressure because people's mortgages and loans and credit card bills get more expensive. this inflation figure is average, and one thing has brought it down is falling gas and electricity prices, which has a knock—on effect, costing less to run factories or transport goods around, bringing the overall price down, but it is an average and while the average has come down, some things go up as well as some things falling in price. the daughter of captain sir tom moore was paid thousands of pounds for appearances in connection with her late father's charity, an investigation by bbc newsnight has found. hannah ingram—moore helped tojudge two awards ceremonies which featured the captain tom foundation — of which she was chief executive at the time — but the fee was paid to her family business. she is yet to respond to the claims. other charities have said they're concerned of a knock—on effect. at a time when so many people are facing so many pressures on their finances, they are choosing to give to a charity, it's a choice that can be hard for a lot of people at the moment. and if they don't do that, because they don't have trust in where their money might end up, i think it's going to cause huge problems for those small charities that are the lifeblood of communities right across the country. the number of people confirmed dead in the wildfires which swept across the hawaiian island of maui has risen to 101. most were in the town of lahaina, where the search for bodies is expected to last at least another week. many residents have complained about the slow pace of the federal government response to the disaster. documents in the case of andy malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, have raised fresh questions about why he wasn't granted an appeal sooner. the papers show that the real attacker was potentially identifiable just four years after the conviction, asjoe inwood reports. when andy malkinson walked out of court last month, he was finally free. i am not a liar. i am not in denial. but i will tell you who is. he was also furious with the police force responsible for his wrongful conviction. greater manchester police are liars and they are in denial. in 2004, he was convicted of a violent rape purely on the basis of witness identification. there was no dna linking andy malkinson to the scene of the crime, but there was the dna of another unknown man on a piece of clothing. the files seen by the bbc reveal that, as far back as 2009, greater manchester police knew this, as andy malkinson told bbc newsnight. i could have been out eight years before i was, yeah. if someone had actuallyjust looked at that match on the database, if someone had trawled the database. yes, if... well, i have to say, the ccrc had the opportunity back in 2010. they failed. the ccrc is the criminal case review commission, the body tasked with investigating miscarriages ofjustice. in 2012, they turned down his request for an appeal. it's thought cost was a factor. the justice system in the uk, england, is a big mess. there's no accountability to the police. to the cps. the ccrc is ineffective. if it looks like justice is being done, then that's good enough for them. they don't care about the integrity of the convictions. both police and prosecutors have previously apologised to andy malkinson, while the cps said they did disclose the evidence to his lawyers. the ccrc have been approached for comment. andy malkinson finally has freedom, but it's come at a terrible price. it seems if the system had worked, it could also have come much sooner. joe inwood, bbc news. councils are frequently failing to use their powers to tackle anti—social behaviour, a watchdog has found. a report by the local government and social care ombudsman features examples including a 13—hour—long party that was not stopped, and a man who was not prevented from throwing tennis balls at his neighbour. the local government association said councils are committed to tackling anti—social behaviour. madonna has announced rescheduled dates for her world tour, which was disrupted when she fell seriously ill with a bacterial infection. she is 65 today. the celebration tour will now start in london on october the 1ath, three months after it was originally due to begin in vancouver. investigators are looking into the cause of a fire on a wind turbine off the norfolk coast near great yarmouth. plumes of smoke were seen coming from the scroby sands wind farm yesterday. the owner says it has since gone out. dramatic pictures. harrison ford is famous for playing a film character who is afraid of snakes, indiana jones, so you can probably guess what kind of animal has been named after the hollywood star. seems quite cruel. this new species of snake, found in peru, has been named "tachymenoides harrisonfordi" to honour the actor's environmental advocacy. ford, who also has an ant and spider named after him, called it "humbling". just one ant? i am so glad you had to say that. i bet he is not frightened of snakes in real life, doesn't look like he is frightened of anything. also not frightened of anything, carol has some hopefully not scary weather. yes, not scary at all. we start off with a beautiful picture taken earlier in a six by one of our weather watchers. through today, after a warm start it will be a warm day, fewer showers, if you are in the sunshine it will feel pleasant. this is what will greet you stepping out right now. between 13 and 16 degrees. in parts of rural wales, about 8 degrees. cloud in north—east england and north—east scotland. that will break up but producing sporadic showers through the day. northern ireland, variable cloud, sunny skies. moving away from north—east and north—west england, the midlands, east anglia and the south, a lot of dry weather, blue skies with a one or two showers. through the day, cloud bubbles up producing some showers, not as many as yesterday, temperatures 14—25. this evening and overnight we see a return to some cloud across north—east england, the midlands and also northern and eastern scotland. around the pennines, summerhill fog, but some clearer skies. —— summerhill fog. a lot of the cloud will break up, some sunshine coming through, the odd isolated shower, but an onshore breeze coming along the north sea coast lines so it will feel a little cooler. top temperatures up to about 27 and on friday it turns must more humid from the south with some rain. something for everyone. on yesterday's breakfast we spoke about the eye—watering cost of kitting out children with new school uniforms — despite new rules to make it cheaper — and it prompted a huge response. here's just a few of the many comments we received. my daughter is about to start high school when she has to have either my granddaughter's school has recently merged into primary school from a junior infant, and so therefore that means everything has got to be changed in their uniform, even the colours. they can't use the bog—standard stuff, ie white's gone blue. pe kits have changed, foot bags have changed, rucksacks have changed, so everything is changed. i think my daughter's paid almost £100 just for the minimal bog standard embroidered t—shirts and stuff. our primary school is fantastic. my main gripe is the sports equipment not uniforms. they say they need to have these logo shorts and logo socks, which is ridiculous in my mind. i can understand why they say they need logo shirts because if they go and do an away game or any game against another school, it clearly identifies them and it represents the school. i completely understand that. but shorts, itjust needs to be a black pair of shorts or maybe... socks, socks then black, white, whatever. geoff barton is general secretary of the association of school and college leaders. he joins us from bury st edmunds. first of all, why do school uniforms have to be branded?— first of all, why do school uniforms have to be branded? good question. i can feel the — have to be branded? good question. i can feel the strength _ have to be branded? good question. i can feel the strength of— have to be branded? good question. i can feel the strength of feeling - can feel the strength of feeling from those parents. one of the things about the uk education system compared to lots of bits of the world as we have always had this feeling that two things should happen, whatever your background,, happen, whatever your background, , you happen, whatever your background,, you should look the same as other pupils. in the long term, it costs parents less because you wear the same uniform largely everyday, that is the first principle. the second is the first principle. the second is to give our sense of identity, you belong to a certain school, you are identifiable, those are the non—negotiable principles but it comes up against how far do you go with that and that is what we have been hearing articulated by those parents. the been hearing articulated by those arents. ., . ., been hearing articulated by those arents. . . . ., parents. the law changed in england recently which _ parents. the law changed in england recently which supposedly _ parents. the law changed in england recently which supposedly means . parents. the law changed in england | recently which supposedly means that schools have to go for more generic uniforms and do not insist on branding and logos and emblems in that kind of thing but from the parents we heard from, it doesn't seem to be the case everywhere, they are still being charged for this book uniforms, a lot of mother. the department — book uniforms, a lot of mother. the: department for education book uniforms, a lot of mother. tu9 department for education brought book uniforms, a lot of mother. tu9: department for education brought out statutory guidance in 2021. worth reminding ourselves that in november 2021 there was debate about whether kids should wear face coverings, one—way systems and things like that, there was a lot on the plate for schools. that, there was a lot on the plate forschools. but that, there was a lot on the plate for schools. but government bodies spent time reviewing uniform policy. i spent yesterday looking to see whether schools i knew had been doing that, the evidence i've seen is largely that schools have been doing that. you might ask why parents have not noticed. first of all there has to be a consultation if you are going to change your uniform policy and if you have a particular supplier and you're going to end the contract it will not happen straightaway. the government hasissued happen straightaway. the government has issued further guidance this summer reminding schools that they have to look at this. and parents may not have seen anything like this happening until this september because if you are locked into a particular contract and made changes to uniform, if you introduce that, you will probably introduce it to some euro groups, the youngest ones rather than the oldest ones. so some parents may think nothing has changed whereas it will probably affect younger students coming into that particular school. none of which takes away the concerns parents will have about some overuse of branded uniforms but it might help to explain why they haven't necessarily seen the changes they might have assumed were going to happen. for might have assumed were going to ha en, :, , :, might have assumed were going to hauen. ., , :, . might have assumed were going to ha..en_ :, , :, ., , happen. for parents who are stuck and can't afford _ happen. for parents who are stuck and can't afford at _ happen. for parents who are stuck and can't afford at this _ happen. for parents who are stuck and can't afford at this point, - happen. for parents who are stuck and can't afford at this point, this| and can't afford at this point, this time of year when people are buying uniforms, what are the options for people who can't afford it? probably a coule of people who can't afford it? probably a couple of things. _ people who can't afford it? probably a couple of things. one _ people who can't afford it? probably a couple of things. one thing - people who can't afford it? probably a couple of things. one thing that i a couple of things. one thing that the guidance said in 2021, and the non—statutory guidance in 2023, is the expectation that schools have some kind of swap shop whereby a youngster leaving school essentially donates into a pool their uniform. schools are being required to do that and it might be that schools haven't clearly articulated that is available but it should be available. and the guidance says clearly and i would reinforce, if you have a concern about this and you have a concern about this and you think a school is using too many branded items, you can't see why there are branded socks and shorts and why was haven't disappeared, there is due process. the guidance says get in touch at the lowest level with the school directly, the governing body, iwould level with the school directly, the governing body, i would write to the chair of governors, saying this is what we expected with a review of policy and can they tell you whether it has happened. the websites i would take yesterday were quite explicit that whereas there had been an expectation about branded sports uniforms, quite a lot of the places i looked at have got rid of that. it might be there as a communication issuejust a reaffirm might be there as a communication issue just a reaffirm that to parents. pl. issue just a reaffirm that to arents. : :, :, , issue just a reaffirm that to arents. :, :, , :, , parents. a lot of parents told us they were _ parents. a lot of parents told us they were particularly _ parents. a lot of parents told us they were particularly frustrated that they understand there might be a school uniform or a sports top but why on earth would socks or shorts have to be branded and more expensive? t have to be branded and more exoensive?— have to be branded and more expensive? have to be branded and more exensive? . ., , ., ., expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for— expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for 15 _ expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for 15 years _ expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for 15 years and _ expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for 15 years and in - expensive? i get that. i was a head teacher for 15 years and in the - teacher for 15 years and in the early days, starting back in 2002, there was an emphasis on schools competing with one another and one way was to short your uniform was a better uniform and your youngsters were more proud of your school. back in the day we had branded shirts for kids playing against other schools. nowadays, partly i think because of the cost of living crisis, partly because social attitudes have changed, it would be unthinkable in the school i was teaching that we would continue that. the guidance from the government was helpful but also governing boards working with head teacher will generally and frequently review uniform and if parents think they want the uniform expectations of their school to mirror a more informal sense of of society then the governors are there on your behalf and you should get in touch with them to see can we have a discussion on this on behalf of the parent body?— discussion on this on behalf of the parent body? thank you for 'oining us. pangolins are one of nature's most well—armoured creatures, but their tough scales are also highly sought after, and they're being hunted to extinction. now the leaders of one gang, said to be responsible for smuggling around half of the world's pangolin scales, have been convicted, thanks to the efforts of a small charity. steve swann spoke to a woman who went undercover to bring them to justice. an african wildlife trafficker with something to sell on a video call. on a video call, he shows sacks full of pangolin scales. he doesn't realise it, but the woman he's calling isn't a buyer. she's an undercover investigator. within days, this compound in nigeria is raided. it's the third largest seizure of pangolin scales by the nigeria customs authorities in the past three years. tonnes of pangolin scales and elephant ivory were seized. now the leaders of a major global trafficking gang have been convicted of wildlife crime. outwitted by fake buyers and sting operations, a four—year global investigation run by a small charity in the netherlands. we meet the young woman who went undercover to help bring the network down. van, not her real name, doesn't want to be identified. i mean, you met these people physically. were you afraid? i was nervous for about 20 seconds. but then after that, i thought, i can do this. i love animals, and wildlife is my passion. the animals mean nothing to them. pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world. here, a south african police raid finds one, but it doesn't survive. it's estimated a million pangolins have been killed by traffickers in the last decade. their meat eaten in africa, their scales used in traditional medicine in china. investigators were given a rare opportunity to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade during the coronavirus pandemic. that's because shipments slowed down in the lockdown and west african traffickers who'd usually stay hidden turned to social media to look for clients. and that made them and their customers vulnerable. here you can see them offering elephant ivory for sale, and those are pangolin scales. i'm just having a look at the names that she's pulled off as potential targets. a massive intelligence operation helped identify buyers based in vietnam. they were put under surveillance and followed to africa when they travelled to buy more pangolin scales. in these video calls, the traffickers incriminate themselves. an undercover officer, whose voice is disguised, pretends to be a buyer and asks... soon after this video was recorded, the men were arrested. now they've pleaded guilty to smuggling and trading in pangolin scales and elephant ivory. i can't underestimate the value of this trial, not only to nigeria, but to vietnam, to south africa, to mozambique and to wildlife in africa. these guys are, you know, the top of the pyramid. finally, after years of feeling untouchable because of corruption and lack of police resources, the wildlife traffickers are under pressure. although the leader of this west african network is still at large. steve swan, bbc news. we'll be back with more news and sport shortly but first let's check in with breakfast�*sjohn maguire, who is on the river thames with a very impressive racing yacht. you mightjust you might just remember you mightjust remember it, if your memory goes back as far as 1989, 1990, which is when maiden, whether its all—female crew, skippered by tracy edwards, sailed in the whitbread round the world race. if you have followed the story on breakfast for the last couple of years, you will know she was left on the scrapheap in the indian ocean and tracy edwards brought her back, repurposed her to travel around the world in an ambassador role promoting education for girls and young women but now she is about to race one more time. she will set off next month, september ten, race one more time. she will set off next month, septemberten, in race one more time. she will set off next month, september ten, in the ocean globe race, very much based on the whitbread. some of the rules are the whitbread. some of the rules are the same, they will be using traditional navigational techniques. the crew are very busy making sure she is shipshape and ready to go. a wonderful sight in her racing guys as she once was 33 or 3a years ago. we will take maiden for a little jaunt up the thames, london will tip its hat and open tower bridge later in the programme at ten to eight. let's get the news, travel and weather where you are. a very good morning, welcome to bbc london, i'm thomas magill. police investigating an attack outside a gay venue in clapham at the weekend have released an image of a man they would like to identify. it was taken outside the two brewers pub where two men, one in his 20s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed in what is thought to have been a homophobic attack. police are appealing for witnesses after the attacker ran away. no arrests have been made. an international manhunt for three people continues following the murder of 10—year—old sara sharif. the girl's body was found alone in the early hours of last thursday morning at her home in woking. surrey police said the three people it was trying to locate who were known to sara left the uk the previous day. london fire brigade say battery fires from e—bikes and e—scooters are its "fastest growing fire trend" with a fire every two days. it says many are caused due to poorly made bike conversion kits. and it's calling for more government regulation. buy from a reputable seller, that's absolutely essential. if you buy from an online marketplace or auction house, you could be buying something from the other side of the world that does not meet safety standards. also make sure you always use the right charger for the battery pack, because again the mismatch in voltage could cause a serious issue. a government spokesperson says "we take public safety extremely seriously which is why we are consulting on modernising our product safety framework ensuring items sold online meet the same standards as on the high street." let's take a look at the tubes now. there's no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone on the bakerloo line and no london 0verground between euston and watford junction. there's also minor delays on thejubilee and metropolitan line. now onto the weather with kate kinsella. good morning. any mistiness will clear first thing this morning to another day of sunshine or sunny spells, just the small chance of one or two showers developing. an easterly breeze starts to develop, we will see some fair weather cloud edging in, and with that we mightjust get one or two showers but many places avoiding them today. staying dry and it's feeling warm in the sunshine as well, temperatures of up to around 26 celsius. now, the cloud and any showers will fade overnight, dry and clear, the minimum temperature between 12 and 15 celsius. as we head into thursday, it is looking like a largely dry day, lots of sunshine around tomorrow. a bit more of a breeze, that easterly will start to develop and again we mightjust get one or two showers but many places staying dry. temperatures tomorrow getting up to 2a or 25 celsius. the temperature is getting more humid as we get into friday, that air a little more unstable so the chance of some thundery showers for friday. but largely dry and fine through the weekend, temperatures feeling warm especially into the first part of next week. that's it from me, more on the bbc news app and there are regular bulletins on bbc radio london throughout the morning. i'll be back in half an hour but for now let's go back to sally and jon. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. in the last half hour we've heard that rising cost of living is beginning to slow down, with prices injuly 6.8% higher than they were 12 months previously. that's down from 7.9% injune. we can speak now to labour's deputy leader angela rayner, who's in newcastle. it morning. so, your reaction to those numbers that we have just told you? those numbers that we have 'ust told ou? :, :, those numbers that we have 'ust told ou? . ., ., those numbers that we have 'ust told ou? :, :, :, , :, , those numbers that we have 'ust told ou? . . . , . , ., you? yeah, we have had 13 years of the tories economic— you? yeah, we have had 13 years of the tories economic failure, - you? yeah, we have had 13 years of the tories economic failure, and - the tories economic failure, and they have crashed the economy and working families have been paying the price. whilst inflation is not increasing at the rapid rate that it was, of course people are still paying more through the cost of living so prices are still going up but at a slower rate. people are really struggling with the cost of living, these are bills that people cannot afford to not pay, they cannot afford to not pay, they cannotjust decide cannot afford to not pay, they cannot just decide they cannot afford to not pay, they cannotjust decide they are not going to pay, this is the weekly shop, energy bills, bills for your rent or your mortgage that people have seen significantly increase over the last 18 months. the tories have really failed to grow the economy and help people who are really struggling at the moment. chancellorjeremy hunt has spoken in the last few moments showing that their plan is working, even though there is still a long way to go. these numbers do suggest that perhaps the signs are that the pressure on the cost of living is starting to ease.— pressure on the cost of living is starting to ease. they're not going u . starting to ease. they're not going u- at the starting to ease. they're not going no at the rapid _ starting to ease. they're not going up at the rapid rate _ starting to ease. they're not going up at the rapid rate that _ starting to ease. they're not going up at the rapid rate that they - starting to ease. they're not going | up at the rapid rate that they were, but i would suggest that saying that they are easing is probably a bit too optimistic. i like to be optimistic for the british people but unfortunately because of the conservative crashing the economy, and they haven't got a plan for growth at the moment, the ons figures recently showing that more people, record numbers of people out of work because of sickness and we have seen the nhs waiting lists it's really struggle for people at the moment. whilst it's not going up in the significant rate that it was, still means that people are unfortunately going to be paying more and inflation is having a really serious impact on household income. :, , :, really serious impact on household income. . , :, , really serious impact on household income. . , , really serious impact on household income. :, , , ., income. can you tell us exactly what labour income. can you tell us exactly what labour would _ income. can you tell us exactly what labour would be _ income. can you tell us exactly what labour would be doing _ income. can you tell us exactly what labour would be doing to _ income. can you tell us exactly what labour would be doing to bring - labour would be doing to bring inflation down faster? we labour would be doing to bring inflation down faster? we have a [an for inflation down faster? we have a plan for growing _ inflation down faster? we have a plan for growing the _ inflation down faster? we have a plan for growing the economy . inflation down faster? we have a plan for growing the economy in | inflation down faster? we have a i plan for growing the economy in the long term but we also have said that quite clearly we need to get people into work so we have to challenge the nhs waiting lists, that's why we had the workforce plan that would bring more doctors and nurses into the nhs and bring waiting lists down. we've got to do something around the growth of the economy, so that people can get good jobs. at the moment under the conservatives we have had low growth, low pay and high taxes. so we have got to turn that around and ensure that people can have a decent wage and we can have people in decentjobs. that's what our green prosperity plan is all about, creating those industries and jobs for the future that we so desperately need in our economy. our growth plan at the moment which has been completely stalled under the conservatives has led to high inflation and people's living standards are declining, we have got to turn that around and pay for our public services, because you cannot carry out the way things are because all of our public services seem to be in crisis and the government don't have a plan to deal with it. t don't have a plan to deal with it. i want to talk to you about the green energy planning a second but everything you have just suggested is going to cost an enormous amount of money, where is that going to come from? it’s of money, where is that going to come from?— of money, where is that going to come from? �*, _,, ., :, :, , come from? it's costing and enormous amount of money _ come from? it's costing and enormous amount of money at _ come from? it's costing and enormous amount of money at the _ come from? it's costing and enormous amount of money at the moment. - come from? it's costing and enormous amount of money at the moment. the | amount of money at the moment. the ons figures show that we have record numbers of people out of work on sickness at the moment because they cannot get the treatment they need, that costs us more money in the long run. if we don't have those jobs and those secure skills jobs for the future and are on that path globally in the race for the industries for the future, we are not going to have the future, we are not going to have the growth for the economy in the future that we are going to have as well. that will cost us more people who are not in good skill highly paid jobs, that will cost us our economy. we have got to make that investment in britain's future which is what our green prosperity plan is all about. is what our green prosperity plan is allabout. future is what our green prosperity plan is all about. future investment and jobs of the future, making sure that our economy grows. if we don't grow our economy grows. if we don't grow our economy, we are not going to be in a position where we can fund our public services and bring waiting lists down in the nhs and give people and businesses that support that they need the future. mould people and businesses that support that they need the future. would you admit, we that they need the future. would you admit. we saw _ that they need the future. would you admit, we saw wages _ that they need the future. would you admit, we saw wages rising - that they need the future. would you admit, we saw wages rising 7.896 - admit, we saw wages rising 7.8% between april and june, would you admit that things are going in the right direction?— right direction? they could not uuite right direction? they could not quite frankly — right direction? they could not quite frankly have _ right direction? they could not quite frankly have got - right direction? they could not quite frankly have got any - right direction? they could not i quite frankly have got any worse. right direction? they could not - quite frankly have got any worse. if you look at our standing in the international league tables, it's quite poor, the conservatives have presided over 13 years of economic failure. low pay, low growth and high taxes which has had a detrimental impact on the british people. it couldn't have really got much worse than it has done for the british people. so we do need to accelerate growth and have a long—term strategy. the government seem to have given up, we don't even have an industrial strategy at the moment and you can see that through businesses who are turning to labour saying, they have at least got a plan and had to move things forward. the conservatives unfortunately have not got a plan so we are being left behind on the global race for our economy of the future. our industries of the future, we have to build and make more in britain and bring jobs to british people. t build and make more in britain and bring jobs to british people.- bring 'obs to british people. i know ou bring jobs to british people. i know ou are in bring jobs to british people. i know you are in the _ bring jobs to british people. i know you are in the north-east - bring jobs to british people. i know you are in the north-east to - bring jobs to british people. i know you are in the north-east to talk. you are in the north—east to talk about green energy, we have heard from the generous —— general secretary of the gmb union which has the uk need oil and gas licenses for the uk need oil and gas licenses for the next 25 years, why would you ban them? there the next 25 years, why would you ban them? ~ :, the next 25 years, why would you ban them? ~ . , the next 25 years, why would you ban them? ~ :, , , the next 25 years, why would you ban them? ~ . , , . ., ., them? we have been very clear that we have to — them? we have been very clear that we have to have _ them? we have been very clear that we have to have a _ them? we have been very clear that we have to have a pragmatic - them? we have been very clear that i we have to have a pragmatic approach which and the transition. we have talked about nuclear energy and that will be part of our programme. we have also got a programme for great british energy which includes this £500 million per year grant to ensure we can build those businesses in the future. independent analysis has shown that a 65,000 good jobs into that sector under labour and thatis into that sector under labour and that is what we are going to do... i'm so sorry to interrupt, i know you are on a tricky satellite link, what would those jobs be? thea;r you are on a tricky satellite link, what would those jobs be? what would those 'obs be? they will be in industries — what would those jobs be? they will be in industries like _ what would those jobs be? they will be in industries like onshore - what would those jobs be? they will be in industries like onshore and - be in industries like onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, there are a number of different sectors that those jobs will be invested into ensure we are at the forefront of the global race to tackle the climate emergency that we have, but also to create jobs for the future. it's also about national security. our energy reliance on the global market is not only raising the costs for british people and our businesses, but it means we are completely at the whim of the global market. we need to have energy security at in the uk so it is a security at in the uk so it is a security issue as well as an economic one. t security issue as well as an economic one.— security issue as well as an economic one. :, �* ,, :, ., security issue as well as an economicone. ,, :, ., economic one. i don't know what your lans are economic one. i don't know what your plans are for — economic one. i don't know what your plans are for the _ economic one. i don't know what your plans are for the rest _ economic one. i don't know what your plans are for the rest of _ economic one. i don't know what your plans are for the rest of this - plans are for the rest of this specifically but i'm getting at some point you might find a moment to watch the lionesses play in a world cup semifinal against australia, will you be doing that? t cup semifinal against australia, will you be doing that?- cup semifinal against australia, will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm auoin will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm going to _ will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm going to be — will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm going to be visiting _ will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm going to be visiting a - will you be doing that? i hope so, i'm going to be visiting a nuclear| i'm going to be visiting a nuclear power plant put one on there, i will be putting my energy into supporting our girls over in australia making sure that england win because we need to get in that final and if we get there, i'm pretty sure we are going to win there. i wish them the best of the uk are going to be there as well watching this morning. bald as well watching this morning. bold rediction. as well watching this morning. bold prediction. angela _ as well watching this morning. bold prediction. angela rayner, thank you very much. can they get to the final on sunday? it's a huge day, the semifinal is in a couple of hours. notjust politicians giving messages, is it? you would think they can, the confidence is there, they are european champions and whilst they are without key players they are hitting form at the right time. i love that takes, let's go without. they have to quieten down around 75 —— let's go with that. thea;r they have to quieten down around 75 -- let's go with that.— -- let's go with that. they have to cuieten -- let's go with that. they have to quieten down _ -- let's go with that. they have to quieten down 75,000 _ -- let's go with that. they have to quieten down 75,000 australian l quieten down 75,000 australian supporters which is no easy task. intimidating. supporters which is no easy task. intimidating— intimidating. football is very clical, intimidating. football is very cyclical, england _ intimidating. football is very cyclical, england with - intimidating. football is very cyclical, england with the - intimidating. football is very - cyclical, england with the european success, and the growth of the wsl, this is like a crowning moment for england. yes, of course it is! lots of other people have been channelling energies into supporting the lionesses. we are going to be live with jane in sydney injust a moment but as you can imagine lots of good luck messages flooding in for the lionesses ahead of their semi final this morning. one of those has come from david beckham, a former england captain himself. hey, girls. ijust wanted to say, wow, what a tournament it's been so far. it's been so fun to watch and we are all so proud as a nation, what you've achieved already, but seeing you girls play as a team, it's been really incredible. so continue to do so, good luck in this next game, and just know that our whole nation is behind you as always. and good luck! good luck, lionesses! there's harper. keep inspiring these girls because it incredible to watch. and i'm very, very happy that you're doing it for this one. good luck, girls! harper there in the heart of into miami, her dad's club, perhaps to get boots on like her dad used to do! let's talk to jane who is inside stadium australia where the matches taking place later. let's look at this from a sporting perspective, what will england's approach be? we have spoken a lot about the crowd, will they go all out attack and try to silence that australian shop late two crowd later? t to silence that australian shop late two crowd later?— two crowd later? i don't imagine that sarina _ two crowd later? i don't imagine that sarina wiegman _ two crowd later? i don't imagine that sarina wiegman the - two crowd later? i don't imagine i that sarina wiegman the manager two crowd later? i don't imagine - that sarina wiegman the manager will give away their plan to stop the aussies that easily. the england fans will be outnumbered in this beautiful stadium. we are expecting around 75,000 people milling all of these stands, and the majority of them will be wearing green and gold because the matildas got huge support in this country. it is encouraging and beautiful for the growth of the women's game but i would imagine that the lionesses would imagine that the lionesses would want to silence the crowd with an early goal, would that be nice? they have not really played true to form so far this tournament, england, we have not seen them pique yet but the best teams tend to peak at the right times. perhaps this is it for england. millie bright the captain said that they thrive under the pressure of playing anyone who has some animosity against them. we can say that when it comes to these two countries and sporting events. on paper england are the better side and they have faced so many obstacles already so far this tournament, losing keira walsh momentarily through injury, they don't have laurenjames because of air suspension, and the penalties against nigeria, extra time before that. and in this very stadium, the hostile colombian crowd. an england deal that all of those things building up has helped prepare them for this task of facing australia. they have just finished rehearsing for the opening ceremony here at stadium australia, it has been fantastic to see because we have heard music coming from the tannoy, announcements, we have seen kids coming out with the flags and unrolling them, they have played the national anthems, unrolling them, they have played the nationalanthems, it unrolling them, they have played the national anthems, it has been spine tingling. it is really helping to build up the anticipation and the atmosphere ahead of this huge game. we know that no matter who wins, we know who will be waiting for them in the final, it will be spain. and there might be another shock because england might shock australia in their own back yard. there england might shock australia in their own back yard.— england might shock australia in their own back yard. we can't wait, jane will have _ their own back yard. we can't wait, jane will have some _ their own back yard. we can't wait, jane will have some company - their own back yard. we can't wait, jane will have some company as i their own back yard. we can't wait, | jane will have some company as the fans are such a poor inside the kick off at 11am, coverage starts at 10am. away from the world cup, rangers have moved to within one round of reaching the group stages of the champions league. they're through to the play off round after drawing 1—1 with the swiss side servette in the second leg of their qualifer giving them a 3—2 win on aggregate. rangers will now play psv eindhoven in the final play—off round. meanwhile tonight, manchester city are back in action. they face sevilla in the european super cup as the champions league winners take on the europa league winners. but city will be without one of their star players and will miss him for a big chunk of the season, kevin de bruyne out for around three to four months, because of a hamstring injury. the club deciding if he'll need surgery. with the rugby world cup starting just over three weeks today, there's been a huge boost for england. captain owen farrell who picked up a red card against wales on saturday, has seen it rescinded, meaning he's available to start the tournament. it was thought he'd receive at least a three game ban ruling him out of england's remaining warm—up matches and their first match with argentina. he's back, as predicted, ben stokes coming out of retirement to play one day cricket again. england's test captain will be named in a 15 man squad for their upcoming series with new zealand this morning. the bulk of that party will then form the squad for the world cup in india in october and november where england will defend the title they won in 2019. some superb skills on show in the hundred. london spirit batting against the oval invincibles and what a stop from ross whiteley on the boundary to prevent that six which would have put the spirit in touching distnace of victory. and hoiw crucial it proved as sam curran then finished the spirit off to claim victory. and whilst there were defeats for both cam norrie and dan evans in the opening round of the cinicinnati open. there was a victory for murray over djokovic. not andy, but his brotherjamie, who, alongside michael venus, beat novak and his partner nikola cacic in straight sets in the opening round of the doubles. djokovic selected for the serbian davis cup team so perhaps getting some practice in. he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesnt he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesn't like — he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesn't like it — he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesn't like it either. _ he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesn't like it either. -- _ he doesn't is often, does he? and he doesn't like it either. -- he _ doesn't like it either. -- he doesn't _ doesn't like it either. -- he doesn't lose _ doesn't like it either. -- he doesn't lose often. - let's get the weather now with carol. a blue sky for some of us and there's some cloud around as well. this picture was taken earlier in the beach injersey, a lovely tranquil start of the day. for many of us that will be the case but if you are stepping out and you have an allergy to wheat pollen, these are the levels, high across england and wales, moderate across england —— northern ireland and low for scotland. this morning has some showers dotted across the north, one or two in northern ireland, cloud across northern england and scotland. a lot of that will tend to break up as we go through the morning and you will find some sunshine coming through. it could linger around aberdeenshire, the moray firth and caithness. as we go through the day and some fair weather cloud bubbles up, it will be fewer and further between than yesterday. 1a to 22 in birmingham, a high of... hill across the pennines to watch out for, these are the overnight lows. nine to 1a degrees, could be lower than that in rural wales, seven or eight, like you have this morning. as we move through the week into thursday, high pressure still firmly in charge of the weather, things fairly settled. you can see what is waiting on the wings. we are importing warmer air from the near continent, across our shores. thursday we start with cloud across scotland and northern england, it should break up, fewer showers around. the odd sharp one, a lot of sunshine and bright weather, and unsure breeze coming from the north sea making it feel a little bit cooler here. temperatures 1a in the north to 27 pushed down towards central and southern england. as we move on into friday, two weather fronts coming our way. both of them are going to bring some heavy and potentially thundery rain. eventually it looks like they are going to emerge. the driest and brightest conditions on friday will be across the far north of scotland and eastern england, but the rest of us will be cloudy, murky, some drizzle coming out of the cloud, and here is our first band of drizzle coming out of the cloud, and here is ourfirst band of rain, here is the second one, the whole lot slowly moving eastwards. this is the timing we have on it but it could change. on friday it will feel very humid particularly from the south and it will feel very warm as well, 15 to about 26 degrees. friday into saturday, it will be a very warm night as well. it might prove to be a tropical night which means that the temperature will not fall below 20 degrees in some places. that means on saturday morning it is a very warm start to the day, and we see our weather front taking their own further northwards. behind that dry weather and sunshine, one or two showers, temperatures 15 in the north, 25 to 26 as we can further south. the other thing you'll notice about saturday is behind the weather front it will turn fresher. this weather will feel much more pleasant, and there are a few festivals taking place so that will be quite nice. as we go through the ensuing few days, some showers in the forecast but it will stay quite warm and the early part of next week, it might become hot for some of us, that's something we are watching. of us, that's something we are watchinu. ~ :, , :, of us, that's something we are watching-— we have a lovely story coming up about £10, did you have a pen pal when younger? i did —— about pen pals, i did, but we lost touch, not like those ladies. a lot of you have been getting in touch. many young people might struggle with the idea of having a pen pal but in the days before the internet, writing letters and posting them to other children around the world was our version of "social networking". that's what patsy gregory, from preston, and carol ann krause, from south carolina, started doing in 1955. after nearly 70 years of written correspondence, they've finally met in person. samantha nanda reports. i didn't know we were going to be on tv! welcome! yeah, finally! oh, my gosh! after 68 years and nearly 1,000 letters, this is the moment pen pals patsy and carol ann finally got to meet. finally. finally! 68 years. patsy traveled nearly 4000 miles from her home in haughton near preston to conway, south carolina, thanks to a special 80th birthday present from her children. well, actually, she'sjust as i imagined that she would be. bless her. i mean, i recognised her immediately. and it wasjust, just natural. they began their long distance friendship in 1955, age 12, when patsy was in the girl guides and carol ann, a girl scout, working towards their pen pal barges. nearly 70 years and hundreds of letters later, they've shared life's milestones, including getting married, having children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. new at five, after. decades of letters... the story even made the local news in carol—anne's hometown. ..have reached a new milestone. patsy�*s daughter, steph, traveled to south carolina with her. it was just really, really emotional. i was quite choked to watch them hugging each other for the first time and greeting each other, and theyjust hit it off instantly. we've just gone through life, all the trials and tribulations and shared it. for sure, yes. and it's just absolutely lovely. yes, it is, it's great that you're. .. and we're both still here. amen to that, right? what do you think the secret of a good friendship is? well, never had a cross word, anyway. you know, we've just gotten along well, and that's it. and any more visits in the future, do you think? who knows, who knows? samantha nanda, bbc news. and you said that they look quite alike. , :, :, ~' ~' and you said that they look quite alike. , ,, , , , , alike. they look like sisters. they do! you've been telling us your pen pal stories. lynn in renfrew sent in this picture of her and her pen pal of 46 years, savi. she says they started writing at 12 years old and met through the salvation army kids mag the young soldier. they finally got to meet up in dec 2018 in florida. lynn says they are "soul sisters" and have an amazing connection. anne in cheshire says she and her london pen pal christine still meet up several times a year after first writing to each other in 1972 through fab magazine's pen pal column. it seems that magazines were the way people met. sammie shared this picture of her in new york's central park with her swedish pen pal cathinka. she said they bonded in 1979 over a mutual love of abba and that, before the two met, she was "more nervous than a first date." you really want a pen pal who is somewhere really warm and lovely and tropical, don't you? aha, somewhere really warm and lovely and tropical, don't you?_ tropical, don't you? a caribbean island pen _ tropical, don't you? a caribbean island pen pal! _ tropical, don't you? a caribbean island pen pal! maldives! - tropical, don't you? a caribbean island pen pal! maldives! keepi tropical, don't you? a caribbean - island pen pal! maldives! keep those stories coming _ island pen pal! maldives! keep those stories coming and _ island pen pal! maldives! keep those stories coming and your _ island pen pal! maldives! keep those stories coming and your pictures, - island pen pal! maldives! keep those stories coming and your pictures, wej stories coming and your pictures, we would love to see more of those. we will use some later. you can send us a message on whatsapp — the number is on screen. you can use the camera on your phone to scan the qr code. still to come on breakfast. we'll meet the dad—of—two who is rebuilding his life after losing his leg in a traffic accident and the trauma surgeon who had to take the decision to amputate. incredible people coming up here on the programme. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. a very good morning. welcome to bbc london. i'm thomas magill. london fire brigade say battery fires from e—bikes and e—scooters are its "fastest growing fire trend" with an incident reported every two days. it says many are caused by badly built chargers and batteries and they say more government regulation is now needed. the government says it's consulting on stricter safety laws for online sales. police investigating an attack outside a gay bar in clapham at the weekend have released an image of a man they would like to identify. it was taken outside the two brewers pub where two men, one in his 20s and another in his 30s, were stabbed in what is thought to have been a homophobic attack. police are appealing for witnesses after the attacker ran away. no arrests have been made. let's take a look at the tubes now. there's no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone on the bakerloo line and no london 0verground between euston and watford junction. there's also minor delays on thejubilee and metropolitan line. now onto the weather, and a warm day ahead with some patchy cloud developing this afternoon along with the odd shower. top temperature 26 degrees. that's it from me. more on the bbc news app and there are regular bulletins on bbc radio london throughout the morning. i'll be back in half an hour but for now lets go back to sally and john. good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today... cheering. it's all eyes on sydney, as england play australia for a place in the final of the women's world cup. it is arguably one of the biggest daysin it is arguably one of the biggest days in the women's game, the fans are here, the players are ready. this is matilda mania in australia but the lioness as fans are making their voices heard. fresh questions in the case of andy malkinson, who spent 17 years injailfora rape he didn't commit. documents show his conviction could have been quashed more than a decade ago. inflation falls to 6.8% injuly thanks to a drop in gas and electricity prices, but food prices are still going up faster than many other things. are still going up faster than many otherthings. i'm are still going up faster than many other things. i'm a are still going up faster than many otherthings. i'm a birmingham wholesale market with all the details for you in a few minutes. the patchy mist and fog lifting nicely now, most of us with a dry day and sunny spells, a few isolated showers, then turning warner over the next few days, friday will be humid for some. all the details later. it's wednesday the 16th of august. our main story... in the last hour the government has released its latest inflation figures, which show that the rising cost of living is beginning to slow down. cost of living is the overall the overall rate forjuly is 6.8%. it was 7.9% injune. ben's in birmingham with more on this. ben, prices are still going up but the rate of increase is slowing down. that's a really important point to remember, the figure, 6.8% forjuly, tells us prices are still higher than they were one year ago but the rate at which they are increasing is slowing down. that is good news because ultimately it means that cost of living pressures, you could say, are starting to ease. that figure of 6.8% is an average, and the average has been brought down because of a fall in the price of some things, like gas and electricity prices, but because it is an average, some things have still gone up more sharply. food is one of the problem areas, price rises for food were up by almost 15% compared with one year earlier. the overall rate of inflation, 6.8%, is a move in the right direction because of the bank of england likes inflation to set at 2%. it is still above that but it is moving towards it. it is also quite some way above where the prime minister has promised to get inflation. he pledged when it was at 10% to get it down to half of that by the end of this year. still significantly higher, and still above the inflation rate in places like the united states and the eurozone. the government says the fact inflation is coming down is a sign that its plan is working. labour says the conservative government is not doing enough and labour would be tackling this problem to help ease the pressure on families in a different way. the bank of england looks at the inflation rate when it makes decisions on interest rates. we have had 1a rises in a row and the expectation as we could see interest rates go up even more, the idea being it reduces demand and people spend less so prices come down. in the short term that means pain for people with mortgages, short—term loans and credit cards. england are preparing to face australia in the semifinal of the women s world cup this morning. kick—off is at 11am. the lionesses will go head to head with the hosts, in sydney, in the hope of reaching the final for the first time. we'll have all the build—up here on breakfast. our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party! even here in sports—mad australia, it's a moment that will never be forgotten. victory over france after a nerve—shredding penalty shoot—out earned the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process. but now comes the mouthwatering prospect of european champions england, and even the co—hosts admit that they're underdogs. look at resources financially, obviously they are a massive favourite going into this game, but if you then add the belief we have, but the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and the belief from the fans, and that itself is going to be massive. this vast stadium will shortly be filled with more than 70,000 australia fans, all desperate to see their side progress to the final at the expense of england, whose supporters here will of course be vastly outnumbered. the big question — whether their team can spoil the co—hosts' party. australia has enjoyed the upper hand so far this summer, its men's and women's cricket teams retaining the ashes and its netballers beating england in the world cup final. the lionesses, however, downplaying talk of a special rivalry. yeah, i asked players and staff and, actually for us and for them, so now it's for us too, we don't feel that rivalry that much. the main thing is that there's a lot of rivalry in rugby and cricket, that's mainly, and last week in netball. so we just know it's a very competitive... it's going to be a very competitive game. whoever wins today now knows that they'll face spain in the final. in a match yesterday that sprung to life late on, opponents sweden equalised in the 88th minute, only for spain's captain olga carmona to score the winnerjust 93 seconds later... i don't believe it! ..sparking wild celebrations in auckland. the question now — who willjoin them in sunday's showpiece? dan roan, bbc news, sydney. shaimaa khaliljoins us from the sydney fan park. shaimaa, australia have home advantage. just how out—numbered are the england fans? well they struggle to be heard? i don't think so. i think they will make themselves heard. they told me they will give whatever they get. i am in the middle of the fan zone. it is a sea of green and gold. how are you guys feeling? i think he loves marie fowler, the beautiful young striker in the matildas. are you doing homework?— striker in the matildas. are you doin: homework? , , :, , doing homework? maths, probability, shout out to miss _ doing homework? maths, probability, shout out to miss church, _ doing homework? maths, probability, shout out to miss church, i _ doing homework? maths, probability, shout out to miss church, i love - doing homework? maths, probability, shout out to miss church, i love my i shout out to miss church, i love my maths class. shout out to miss church, i love my maths class-— maths class. rest assured your students are _ maths class. rest assured your students are here _ maths class. rest assured your students are here supporting i maths class. rest assured your - students are here supporting them are told ares but also doing homework. what is the probability of them winning today?— homework. what is the probability of them winning today? �*tfifi�*ifié. the them winning today? 100%. the lioness them winning today? 10096. the lioness is fans _ them winning today? 10096. the lioness is fans i _ them winning today? 10096. the lioness is fans i met _ them winning today? 10096. the lioness is fans i met earlier - lioness is fans i met earlier outside sydney opera house know they are going to be outnumbered, a similar if not bigger atmosphere in the stadium, but they said they want to make sure the england team see and hear them. cheering. come on, england! really looking forward to it, quite confident, yeah. bring it on tonight. yeah, i think confident. obviously in april we had a little blip against them but i think we are back stronger and i think we can win it. i am buzzing, i think we are out there, we are ready, ready for the show, and to silence the country. we are definitely outnumbered fan—wise but i don't think that's going to stop us tonight, we are going to be up for it. there is no rivalry, there is no rivalry. we know we are going to win. it's not cricket. we are going to win, we are going to bring it home, ioo%. cheering. there is confidence, excitement, but i will tell you, there are also nerves. there has been so much build—up, the lioness is coming here as european champions, enjoying a huge deal of respect and reverence here, but the matildas have a huge wave of support from the whole country, so much more thanjust football here, this is a team that allowed the whole country to dream of winning something a bit. we are in the history making territory because whoever wins today will go where they have never gone before in the women's world cup. that match kicks off at 11am and the build—up begins here on bbc one live from 10am. the daughter of captain sir tom moore was paid thousands of pounds for appearances in connection with her late father's charity, an investigation by bbc newsnight has found. hannah ingram—moore helped tojudge two awards ceremonies which featured the captain tom foundation, of which she was chief executive at the time, but the fee was paid to her family business. she is yet to respond to the claims. other charities have said they're concerned of a knock—on effect. at a time when so many people are facing so many pressures on their finances, they are choosing to give to a charity, it's a choice that can be hard for a lot of people at the moment. and if they don't do that, because they don't have trust in where their money might end up, i think it's going to cause huge problems for those small charities that are the lifeblood of communities right across the country. councils are frequently failing to use their powers to tackle anti—social behaviour, a watchdog has found. a report by the local government and social care ombudsman features examples including a 13—hour—long party that was not stopped, and a man who was not prevented from throwing tennis balls at his neighbour. the local government association said councils are committed to tackling anti—social behaviour. companies vying to buy the homeware chain wilko, which fell into administration last week, have until today to make an offer. wilko, which has been trading since 1930, has more than 400 shops and employs 12,500 people. madonna is 65 today and has announced rescheduled dates for her world tour, which was disrupted when she fell seriously ill with a bacterial infection. the celebration tour will now start in london on october the 14th, three months after it was originally due to begin in vancouver. a raccoon needed the help of two police officers when it got caught in a sticky situation. it was spotted running around perkins county, in the us state of ohio, with an emptyjar stuck on its head. the officers managed to detain the raccoon and work the jar loose before sending the animal on its way. eventually, after a little bit of a cuddle. : �* : :, i cuddle. aren't quite vicious? i would cuddle _ cuddle. aren't quite vicious? i would cuddle a _ cuddle. aren't quite vicious? i would cuddle a raccoon, - cuddle. aren't quite vicious? i l would cuddle a raccoon, maybe cuddle. aren't quite vicious? i - would cuddle a raccoon, maybe not. carol's here with the weather. a lot of love in the studio this morning, cuddling reckons. not cold for most of us and getting warmer. you can see from this picture sent in earlier, this is in the wirral, blue skies, many of us are waking up to that this morning. some showers in the north of scotland, a few in northern ireland, and a bit of cloud in parts of scotland and northern england. a lot of that will melt away, as will the patchy mist and fog, but it could linger in parts of scotland. in the south, from the isles of scilly through the south west, wales, southern england, the channel islands, dry and sunny conditions. north east england with a bit more cloud, north—west seeing sunshine, northern ireland, a bit of cloud in scotland with showers. through the day, as the cloud bubbles up, we might see more showers but they will be scattered and a lot of us will not catch one at all, getting away with a dry and sunny day. temperatures 14 in lerwick, 19 newcastle, 22 hull, but top temperature is likely to be about 26 in london. this evening and overnight, showers feeding but more cloud developing in scotland and northern england, with some hill fog, some getting into the midlands as well. not a cold night. tomorrow as well. not a cold night. tomorrow a lot of the cloud will tend to thin and break, yes, one ortwo a lot of the cloud will tend to thin and break, yes, one or two showers, and break, yes, one or two showers, an onshore breeze coming in across the north sea coastline, feeling a bit but top temperatures likely to get up to about 27, then on friday more humid in the south and some of us will see some rain. documents in the case of andy malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, have raised fresh questions about why he wasn't granted an appeal sooner. the papers show that the real attacker was potentially identifiable just four years after the conviction, asjoe inwood reports. when andy malkinson walked out of court last month, he was finally free. i am not a liar. i am not in denial. but i will tell you who is. he was also furious with the police force responsible for his wrongful conviction. greater manchester police are liars and they are in denial. in 2004, he was convicted of a violent rape purely on the basis of witness identification. there was no dna linking andy malkinson to the scene of the crime, but there was the dna of another unknown man on a piece of clothing. the files seen by the bbc reveal that, as far back as 2009, greater manchester police knew this, as andy malkinson told bbc newsnight. i could have been out eight years before i was, yeah. if someone had actuallyjust looked at that match on the database, if someone had trawled the database. yes, if... well, i have to say, the ccrc had the opportunity back in 2010. they failed. the ccrc is the criminal case review commission, the body tasked with investigating miscarriages ofjustice. in 2012, they turned down his request for an appeal. it's thought cost was a factor. the justice system in the uk, england, is a big mess. there's no accountability to the police. to the cps. the ccrc is ineffective. if it looks like justice is being done, then that's good enough for them. they don't care about the integrity of the convictions. both police and prosecutors have previously apologised to andy malkinson, while the cps said they did disclose the evidence to his lawyers. the ccrc have been approached for comment. andy malkinson finally has freedom, but it's come at a terrible price. it seems if the system had worked, it could also have come much sooner. joe inwood, bbc news. we're joined now by andy malkinson's solicitor, and director of the charity appeal, emily bolton. i think there has been a lot of twists and turns in this case over the last few weeks. can you explain to us clearly what we are hearing today and what significance it might have? , , :, today and what significance it might have? , i. ., today and what significance it might have? , , :, ., ., have? the documents you are hearing about today demonstrate _ have? the documents you are hearing about today demonstrate that - have? the documents you are hearing about today demonstrate that the - about today demonstrate that the commission, the review commission supposed to act as a conduit to the court of appeal that should have rescued andy from his ordeal years earlier, it failed in its duty to gather evidence that would have proven and he did not do the crime, and this cost him more years in prison. and this cost him more years in rison. ~ :, and this cost him more years in rison. ~ ., :, , ,, ., prison. what does he think of these latest revelations? _ prison. what does he think of these latest revelations? just _ prison. what does he think of these latest revelations? just looking - prison. what does he think of these latest revelations? just looking at l latest revelations? just looking at pictures of him released from prison. he will want to know what difference it could have made. the difference it could have made. the difference it _ difference it could have made. tt9 difference it could have made. tt9 difference it could have made to him would be getting back years of his life. he is adamant that he wants his case to shine alight life. he is adamant that he wants his case to shine a light on failures of the system, particularly on the review commission. he has launched our petition asking the commission to apologise for what it did wrong in this case and asking for an internal review and so far there has been no apology or response for the commission. if they don't do this then thejustice secretary needs to. the appeals system is not protecting innocent people like andy and not doing the investigations that would have exonerated him sooner. they are the only body that can act on that evidence. we as lawyers don't have those powers. it was only by taking the police to coat twice we were able to access evidence that the witnesses were unreliable. we had to use pro bono experts to reach the point where greater manchester police would agree to dna testing. all of that work could have been done by the ccrc in 2009 to 2012. in 2007 the prosecution and police knew there was dna on the clothing that didn't match andy malkinson and that should have been enough cause for the testing. they speculated it might have come from someone else, even though the people they speculated had already been tested and excluded. let's not forget, the victim 20 years later is being re—traumatised by this coming up again. all of that could have been spared if the commission had done theirjob properly. they must apologise and have a full internal investigation and find out what went wrong. they are not doing so and for that reason the chair of the commission's position is untenable and she needs to resign. haifa commission's position is untenable and she needs to resign.— commission's position is untenable and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing _ and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing as _ and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing as he _ and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing as he deals - and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing as he deals with - and she needs to resign. how is andy malkinson doing as he deals with the | malkinson doing as he deals with the revelation after revelation? he is an extraordinary _ revelation after revelation? he is an extraordinary human - revelation after revelation? h9: 3 an extraordinary human being. i don't know how he got through 20 years of being wrongfully convicted of this brutal rain. —— this brutal crime. now all of a sudden from the 26th ofjuly he is not that person any more, everyone treats him differently. he has to adjust to that and it will be a long process. thank you forjoining us. last summer, zoltan szakacsi was walking through central london when he was struck by a van which had mounted the pavement, causing horrific injuries. he was rushed to hospital, where doctors soon realised they would have to amputate his right leg. zoltan's story is told on the new series of the channel 4 show emergency, which is on tonight. take a look. at first i didn't really want to believe it. i tried to explain everything to my daughters, we have two daughters, but they didn't see their dad yet. one is three years old, the other is eight years old. so the older one is able to understand a little bit more. she is worried, she is upset. she is saying that she is missing daddy. zoltanjoins us now, along with chrisjordan, the surgeon who took the decision to amputate. we saw images of you looking so very vulnerable in the aftermath of the awful accident. vulnerable in the aftermath of the awfulaccident. how vulnerable in the aftermath of the awful accident. how are you now? t awful accident. how are you now? i am feeling excellent. what awful accident. how are you now? t am feeling excellent. what happened with me was huge but now i have almost returned to normal life. i am back to work, back to cycling. back to cycling- — back to work, back to cycling. back to cycling- what — back to work, back to cycling. back to cycling. what was _ back to work, back to cycling. back to cycling. what was that like? the feelin: of to cycling. what was that like? tt9 feeling of freedom. i am disabled but on the bike i feel less disabled, it is almost like before. it gives me less pain than walking. so that's an amazing feeling. and cycling miles. fight! so that's an amazing feeling. and cycling miles-— cycling miles. and we saw you walkin: cycling miles. and we saw you walking into — cycling miles. and we saw you walking into the _ cycling miles. and we saw you walking into the studio, - cycling miles. and we saw you walking into the studio, you i cycling miles. and we saw you i walking into the studio, you look very mobile, comfortable and confident. very mobile, comfortable and confident-— very mobile, comfortable and confident. . ,, , :, ., , ., confident. thank you. it was hard work to achieve _ confident. thank you. it was hard work to achieve this, _ confident. thank you. it was hard work to achieve this, but - confident. thank you. it was hard work to achieve this, but thanks l confident. thank you. it was hard | work to achieve this, but thanks to the physiotherapist at charing cross hospital, laura burgess, and her team, i was able to make this after one year. tide team, i was able to make this after one ear. ~ . team, i was able to make this after one ear. 9 . ., . team, i was able to make this after one ear. 9 . . . ,. , one year. we are watching pictures of ou one year. we are watching pictures of you know- _ one year. we are watching pictures of you know. the _ one year. we are watching pictures of you know. the physio _ one year. we are watching pictures of you know. the physio must - one year. we are watching pictures of you know. the physio must be i one year. we are watching pictures| of you know. the physio must be so intense. how important is your mental attitude at this point that you are able to do this? t mental attitude at this point that you are able to do this?- you are able to do this? i must close out _ you are able to do this? i must close out all— you are able to do this? i must close out all the _ you are able to do this? i must close out all the negatives. - you are able to do this? i must close out all the negatives. i i you are able to do this? i must. close out all the negatives. i must stay positive otherwise it takes years. they explained to me i need to fight, to push myself, and i listened to their advice. you can see the fight _ listened to their advice. you can see the fight in _ listened to their advice. you can see the fight in your _ listened to their advice. you can see the fight in your face - listened to their advice. you can see the fight in your face in - listened to their advice. you can | see the fight in your face in these pictures, the determination. have you always been focused? sometimes after surgery they weren't sure you would get through this. qt after surgery they weren't sure you would get through this.— would get through this. of course, and ou would get through this. of course, and you don't _ would get through this. of course, and you don't know _ would get through this. of course, and you don't know your— would get through this. of course, and you don't know your future - would get through this. of course, i and you don't know your future when something happens but i tried to look positively at the future and thatis look positively at the future and that is what helped me to be here today, walking into the studio. chris, you had to make the decision. looking back, can you remember what was on your mind, what got you to that point? he was on your mind, what got you to that point?— that point? he came into st marys hosital that point? he came into st marys hospital and _ that point? he came into st marys hospital and the _ that point? he came into st marys hospital and the trauma _ that point? he came into st marys hospital and the trauma call- that point? he came into st marys hospital and the trauma call was l hospital and the trauma call was activated — hospital and the trauma call was activated so the whole team came down. _ activated so the whole team came down, myself, plastic surgeons, vascular— down, myself, plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, the ent doctors, anaesthetic— vascular surgeons, the ent doctors, anaesthetic doctors, all the supporting staff —— the a&e doctors. the decision— supporting staff —— the a&e doctors. the decision was taken between us all, the decision was taken between us all. we _ the decision was taken between us all, we don't undertake that likely, and it_ all, we don't undertake that likely, and it is_ all, we don't undertake that likely, and it is important we make the right decision. zoltan's case was extreme, — right decision. zoltan's case was extreme, but fairly clear—cut early on. extreme, but fairly clear—cut early on myself — extreme, but fairly clear—cut early on. myself and the surgeons examined the leg _ on. myself and the surgeons examined the leg in _ on. myself and the surgeons examined the leg in a&e, got the ct scan is to look_ the leg in a&e, got the ct scan is to look at— the leg in a&e, got the ct scan is to look at the bone and muscle, and we used _ to look at the bone and muscle, and we used all— to look at the bone and muscle, and we used all that to see if the leg can he _ we used all that to see if the leg can be saved and if it could be saved — can be saved and if it could be saved would it be useful. we wouldn't _ saved would it be useful. we wouldn't normally perform an amputation so early but in this case it was— amputation so early but in this case it was the _ amputation so early but in this case it was the only option. the injury dictated — it was the only option. the injury dictated our management. from that point of— dictated our management. from that point of view it makes our lives more _ point of view it makes our lives more straightforward, but it is never— more straightforward, but it is never something we take lightly. given— never something we take lightly. given the — never something we take lightly. given the injury and the surgery he had, what do you make of him walking into the studio this morning and hearing about the cycling? tt is hearing about the cycling? it is lovel . hearing about the cycling? it is lovely- we _ hearing about the cycling? it is lovely. we see _ hearing about the cycling? it is lovely. we see our _ hearing about the cycling? it is lovely. we see our patients in follow-up _ lovely. we see our patients in follow—up after operations but you rarely _ follow—up after operations but you rarely get — follow—up after operations but you rarely get to see them not in that environment, and up and walking, and hearing _ environment, and up and walking, and hearing about cycling exploits, which — hearing about cycling exploits, which is — hearing about cycling exploits, which is incredible. that is a real privilege — which is incredible. that is a real privilege actually. it is why we do the job, — privilege actually. it is why we do the job, why the team is they are, why the _ the job, why the team is they are, why the trauma network is there, why we do _ why the trauma network is there, why we do what _ why the trauma network is there, why we do what we do to see patients get back to _ we do what we do to see patients get back to their lives. i am we do what we do to see patients get back to their lives.— back to their lives. i am interested in the trauma _ back to their lives. i am interested in the trauma network, _ back to their lives. i am interested in the trauma network, a - back to their lives. i am interested in the trauma network, a different| in the trauma network, a different way to bring the specialisms together. th way to bring the specialisms touether. ii' :: way to bring the specialisms touether. ::' :: :, , way to bring the specialisms touether. ::' :: .g . ,, :, together. in 2010, off the back of some events. _ together. in 2010, off the back of some events, including _ together. in 2010, off the back of some events, including the - together. in 2010, off the back of. some events, including the london bombings. — some events, including the london bombings, they organised the london hospitals _ bombings, they organised the london hospitals so there were four major receiving _ hospitals so there were four major receiving hospitals, and all the a&e units feed _ receiving hospitals, and all the a&e units feed into ours, so if a patient _ units feed into ours, so if a patient has severe injuries, the ambulance service identify that and brin- ambulance service identify that and bring them straight to us, and if it is not _ bring them straight to us, and if it is not identified immediately they can come — is not identified immediately they can come to us once they have been to a85 _ can come to us once they have been to a85 and — can come to us once they have been to a&e. and we have all the specialisms ready and available. back— specialisms ready and available. back to — specialisms ready and available. back to 2012 it was expanded across the uk, _ back to 2012 it was expanded across the uk, so _ back to 2012 it was expanded across the uk, so it covers the whole of the uk, so it covers the whole of the uk _ the uk, so it covers the whole of the uk now. every person on mainland uk will_ the uk now. every person on mainland uk will he _ the uk now. every person on mainland uk will be covered by a trauma network— uk will be covered by a trauma network so, uk will be covered by a trauma network 50, god forbid, if something terrible _ network 50, god forbid, if something terrible happens then the system can catch everyone. fist terrible happens then the system can catch everyone-— catch everyone. at this point in our catch everyone. at this point in your life. _ catch everyone. at this point in your life, cameras _ catch everyone. at this point in your life, cameras with - catch everyone. at this point in your life, cameras with you, i catch everyone. at this point in your life, cameras with you, it| catch everyone. at this point in | your life, cameras with you, it is the most dramatic time, the worst thing has happened, what made you say yes to letting everybody see that? the end result is so powerful. did you know instantly that you didn't mind sharing that experience. i wanted to share from the beginning to show the world that time to time we are faced with challenges in our life, just to tackle them. what we are faced with challenges in our life, just to tackle them.— life, 'ust to tackle them. what is the life, just to tackle them. what is the next challenge? _ life, just to tackle them. what is the next challenge? my - life, just to tackle them. what is the next challenge? my first - the next challenge? my first challenge — the next challenge? my first challenge was _ the next challenge? my first challenge was to _ the next challenge? my first challenge was to cycle - the next challenge? my first challenge was to cycle to - the next challenge? my first - challenge was to cycle to brighten and i made it with my colleagues and friends. i will do this again with doctors and surgeons, whoeverjoins. you arejoining him? yes. doctors and surgeons, whoever 'oins. you are joining him?fi you are 'oining him? yes, and his lastic you are joining him? yes, and his plastic surgeon — you are joining him? yes, and his plastic surgeon as _ you are joining him? yes, and his plastic surgeon as committed - you are joining him? yes, and his plastic surgeon as committed as i plastic surgeon as committed as welt _ plastic surgeon as committed as well. , :, plastic surgeon as committed as well-_ next _ plastic surgeon as committed as well._ next year - plastic surgeon as committed as well._ next year we i plastic surgeon as committed as i well._ next year we will well. he is now! next year we will 'oin well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan — well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan and _ well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan and that _ well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan and that will— well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan and that will be - well. he is now! next year we will join zoltan and that will be a - join zoltan and that will be a special— join zoltan and that will be a special moment for us. congratulations on your recovery, so good to see you smiling and feel your positivity radiating. emergency is on channel 4 at nine o'clock tonight. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. a very good morning, welcome to bbc london, i'm thomas magill. police investigating an attack outside a gay bar in clapham at the weekend have released an image of a man they would like to identify. it was taken outside the two brewers pub where two men, one in his 20s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed in what is thought to have been a homophobic attack. police are appealing for witnesses after the attacker ran away. no arrests have been made. an international manhunt for three people continues following the murder of 10—year—old sara sharif. the girl's body was found alone in the early hours of last thursday morning at her home in woking. surrey police said the three people it was trying to locate who were known to saraleft the uk the previous day. london fire brigade say battery fires from e—bikes and e—scooters are its "fastest growing fire trend" with a fire every two days. it says many are caused due to poorly made bike conversion kits. and it's calling for more government regulation. buy from a reputable seller, that's absolutely essential. if you buy from an online marketplace or auction house, you could be buying something from the other side of the world that does not meet safety standards. also make sure you always use the right charger for the battery pack, because again the mismatch in voltage could cause a serious issue. a government spokesperson says "we take public safety extremely seriously which is why we are consulting on modernising our product safety framework ensuring items sold online meet the same standards as on the high street." let's take a look at the tubes now. there's no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone on the bakerloo line and no london 0verground between euston and watford junction. there's also minor delays on thejubilee and metropolitan line. now onto the weather with kate kinsella. good morning. any mistiness will clear first thing this morning to another day of sunshine or sunny spells, just the small chance of one or two showers developing. an easterly breeze starts to develop, we will see some fair weather cloud edging in, and with that we mightjust get one or two showers but many places avoiding them today. staying dry and it's feeling warm in the sunshine as well, temperatures of up to around 26 celsius. now, the cloud and any showers will fade overnight, dry and clear, the minimum temperature between 12 and 15 celsius. as we head into thursday, it is looking like a largely dry day, lots of sunshine around tomorrow. a bit more of a breeze, that easterly will start to develop and again we mightjust get one or two showers but many places staying dry. temperatures tomorrow getting up to 24 or 25 celsius. the temperature is getting more humid as we get into friday, that air a little more unstable so the chance of some thundery showers for friday. but largely dry and fine through the weekend, temperatures feeling warm especially into the first part of next week. that's it from me, more on the bbc news app and there are regular bulletins on bbc radio london throughout the morning. i'll be back in half an hour but for now let's go back to sally and jon. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. in the last hour the government has released its latest inflation figures, which show that the rising cost of living continues to slow down. inflation forjuly was 6.8%. ben is in birmingham wholesale market so what does it mean for traders and for us? good morning. plenty of fresh fruit and produce here, we will talk about the rising cost of that in a minute. the headline rate of inflation for july was 6.8%. that means prices are still rising compared to a year ago but not as sharply as they had risen in june. so but not as sharply as they had risen injune. so there is a move in the right direction, but it is still way above the bank of england target of 2%, and still significantly higher than the prime minister has promised to get it down to 5%. he pledged to halve it when inflation was up at 10%. so still some way to go. there was a fall in gas and electricity prices which brought the average down but food and drink was up by 14 point 8% injuly, many households are still feeling the pressure when it comes to the grocery shop. because of that the bank of england is pushing ahead with its plan to raise interest rates, it has raised them 14 times in a row to 5.25%, the highest rate of borrowing fair 15 years. the idea that if you reduce people's spending power, it reduces demand in the economy and when there is less demand prices should in theory start to full. let's have a little chat to one of the traders here about how it having an impact on his business, steve is a fresh fish trader. on his business, steve is a fresh fish trader-— fish trader. fresh and frozen seafood. _ fish trader. fresh and frozen seafood, global— fish trader. fresh and frozen seafood, global import - fish trader. fresh and frozen seafood, global import is . fish trader. fresh and frozen seafood, global import is a i fish trader. fresh and frozen i seafood, global import is a fine seafood. :, ., :, ,, , seafood. you have to keep your roduce seafood. you have to keep your produce nice — seafood. you have to keep your produce nice and _ seafood. you have to keep your produce nice and chilled - seafood. you have to keep your produce nice and chilled to - seafood. you have to keep your| produce nice and chilled to keep seafood. you have to keep your. produce nice and chilled to keep it fresh, falling gas and electricity prices meaning it should be getting cheaperfor prices meaning it should be getting cheaper for you to prices meaning it should be getting cheaperfor you to run prices meaning it should be getting cheaper for you to run those fridges and freezers, is it? can occur not yet no. prices went up dramatically in february compared to last year so we are now on double, even triple what we were paying last year. you are talking tens of thousands of pounds here. an increase in something which was already extensive. so those extra expenses, for us just to survive, have to be passed on. businesses locked into longer—term cannot pass the impact onto us as customers straightaway? we are not put getting cheaper electricity at the moment. we are hoping that come the autumn things will start to come down but at the moment it is pretty tough in that respect. moment it is pretty tough in that resect. :, ~ moment it is pretty tough in that resect. . ,, i. moment it is pretty tough in that resect. . ,, ,, moment it is pretty tough in that resect. . ~' ,, �*, respect. thank you, steve. let's get a broader economic _ respect. thank you, steve. let's get a broader economic picture, - respect. thank you, steve. let's get a broader economic picture, john . a broader economic picture, john bryson is an economics professor. 6.8% forjuly, what is your take on that? 6.896 forjuly, what is your take on that? . :, :, :, , that? the direction of travel is excellent because _ that? the direction of travel is excellent because it _ that? the direction of travel is excellent because it is - that? the direction of travel is excellent because it is going i excellent because it is going downwards, inflation in may was 8.7% but there was a big but here, and thatis but there was a big but here, and that is that the core inflation rate remains flat at 6.9%. at the next meeting of the monetary committee, it will nudge up to 5.5%. meeting of the monetary committee, it will nudge up to 5.596.— it will nudge up to 5.596. when we look at the _ it will nudge up to 5.596. when we look at the government _ it will nudge up to 5.596. when we look at the government pledged i it will nudge up to 5.596. when we | look at the government pledged to halve inflation from where it was from 10% to 5%, by the end of the year, are they on course to do that? the government might meet cloche close to that figure 5% but it will have a cost of the average household because mortgage rates will go up. why would the mortgage rates go up in the inflation rate is going down? you macro the core inflation rate is flat, so that needs to be nudged downwards otherwise this time next year we will be talking about interest rates that are still far higher than the target of 2%. thank you for explaining that. a lot of numbers as there always are on inflation day when we get these figures but the thing to take away from all of this is yes, price rises have slowed down but prices are still higher than they were 12 months ago because of that we are likely to see borrowing costs go up in the bank of england makes its next decision on interest rates in september. next decision on interest rates in september-— next decision on interest rates in setember. . ,, :, , ., september. thank you for explaining that. we're nowjust two and a half hours away from england taking on australia in the semifinal of the women's world cup. jane dougall is in sydney and she's joined by former lioness ellen white. good morning. they have finished the rehearsals, the countdown is on. to this epic semifinal between the co—hosts and england. joining us as you can see is england all—time top scorer and former lioness, ellen white. you have played in so many high—pressure games, including the 2019 semifinal against the usa, how does that compare to this? . hopefully i will not be crying at the end. — hopefully i will not be crying at the end. i_ hopefully i will not be crying at the end, i will be crying out of joy! _ the end, i will be crying out of joy! nerves and excitement, this is a big _ joy! nerves and excitement, this is a big one. — joy! nerves and excitement, this is a big one, 70 5000 australians will be screaming the house down so i am looking _ be screaming the house down so i am looking forward to it but i think that england have enough for this one _ that england have enough for this one i _ that england have enough for this one. :, :, , :, ., one. i wonder how you feel that! there will— one. i wonder how you feel that! there will be _ one. i wonder how you feel that! there will be a _ one. i wonder how you feel that! there will be a hostile _ one. i wonder how you feel that! i there will be a hostile atmosphere but can players block that out? this team thrive — but can players block that out? this team thrive under pressure and the best thing — team thrive under pressure and the best thing they can do with a crowd like this— best thing they can do with a crowd like this is— best thing they can do with a crowd like this is quite them early so if they— like this is quite them early so if they can — like this is quite them early so if they can get an early goal, a big tackle _ they can get an early goal, a big tackle or— they can get an early goal, a big tackle or something really big cap link for— tackle or something really big cap link for england, that will quiet them _ link for england, that will quiet them down and settle the nerves and hopefully— them down and settle the nerves and hopefully they will go on to perform well. we _ hopefully they will go on to perform well. ~ :, , hopefully they will go on to perform well. 9 . , ., ., well. we have seen england grind out results and they _ well. we have seen england grind out results and they have _ well. we have seen england grind out results and they have needed - well. we have seen england grind out results and they have needed to, - well. we have seen england grind out results and they have needed to, we| results and they have needed to, we have only seen glimpses of the brilliance and finesse in the china game, what you feel has been missing that they need to bring here? igrate att that they need to bring here? we all thouuht that they need to bring here? we all thought they — that they need to bring here? we all thought they had — that they need to bring here? we all thought they had done _ that they need to bring here? we all thought they had done it _ that they need to bring here? we all thought they had done it against - thought they had done it against china _ thought they had done it against china when they changed formation to 3-5- two. _ china when they changed formation to 3—5— two, but they showed that resilience — 3—5— two, but they showed that resilience and togetherness, but 'ust resilience and togetherness, but just a _ resilience and togetherness, but just a little bit more creativity and patience in the final third, rousseau _ and patience in the final third, rousseau is flying, she looks like she is— rousseau is flying, she looks like she is in— rousseau is flying, she looks like she is in real good form so a couple of chances — she is in real good form so a couple of chances for her will be on the back— of chances for her will be on the back of— of chances for her will be on the back of the _ of chances for her will be on the back of the net, so australia should be wary _ back of the net, so australia should be wary of — back of the net, so australia should be wary of hair. back of the net, so australia should be wary of hair-— back of the net, so australia should be wary of hair. england do not have lauren be wary of hair. england do not have lauren james _ be wary of hair. england do not have lauren james but _ be wary of hair. england do not have lauren james but australia - be wary of hair. england do not have lauren james but australia have - be wary of hair. england do not have| lauren james but australia have sam laurenjames but australia have sam care back fully fit, is that where they are going to get there goals? —— sam kerr. she is back, she got a decent _ —— sam kerr. she is back, she got a decent 70 _ —— sam kerr. she is back, she got a decent 70 minutes against france. hayley— decent 70 minutes against france. hayley has— decent 70 minutes against france. hayley has been playing really well, mary fowler, caitlin foord, but also rousseau _ mary fowler, caitlin foord, but also rousseau is — mary fowler, caitlin foord, but also rousseau is playing well for england, lauren hemp against colombia got on the scoresheet, lucy bronze _ colombia got on the scoresheet, lucy bronze and _ colombia got on the scoresheet, lucy bronze and rachel day, we have got a lot of the _ bronze and rachel day, we have got a lot of the threat but it is putting it in the — lot of the threat but it is putting it in the back of the net. what is our it in the back of the net. what is your realistic _ it in the back of the net. what is your realistic prediction, - it in the back of the net. what isj your realistic prediction, without any bias? t your realistic prediction, without an bias? ~ , your realistic prediction, without an bias? ~' , ., any bias? i think it will be a really tight _ any bias? i think it will be a really tight one. _ any bias? i think it will be a really tight one. australia i any bias? i think it will be a . really tight one. australia have grown — really tight one. australia have grown into the tournament. england have been— grown into the tournament. england have been a little bit grown into the tournament. england have been a little hit up and down but i _ have been a little hit up and down but i feel— have been a little hit up and down but i feel like it is a very resolute _ but i feel like it is a very resolute performance against colombia, sol resolute performance against colombia, so i think it will be tight— colombia, so i think it will be tight and _ colombia, so i think it will be tight and nervy but i have to say to— tight and nervy but i have to say to- one — tight and nervy but i have to say to— one england, i have to say that. a lot _ to— one england, i have to say that. a lot of— to— one england, i have to say that. a lot of people will be agreeing with you. waiting for either australia or england in the final on sunday is spain, another shock, they put out sweden on their semifinal. this tournament has been filled with shocks, it is fantastic.— shocks, it is fantastic. thank you very much _ shocks, it is fantastic. thank you very much indeed. _ shocks, it is fantastic. thank you very much indeed. not _ shocks, it is fantastic. thank you very much indeed. not long - shocks, it is fantastic. thank you very much indeed. not long to i shocks, it is fantastic. thank you i very much indeed. not long to go, millions of us will be watching live on bbc one this morning. tim muffett�*s with a group of young players in north london. they have already been there for a couple of hours so i imagine it is fever pitch now.— fever pitch now. they did have a little break. _ fever pitch now. they did have a little break. i _ fever pitch now. they did have a little break, i have _ fever pitch now. they did have a little break, i have sent - fever pitch now. they did have a little break, i have sent to - fever pitch now. they did have a little break, i have sent to add! | little break, i have sent to add! welcome to highbury wolves football club in london, and 2014, there was one female playerfor club in london, and 2014, there was one female player for this youth team, now there are more than 100. inspired by the lionesses, and their amazing performances and my goodness, the excitement is building. the big screen is up and running, they will be watching it come kick—off at 11am. let's chat to the equal game ambassador for london fa. what does this mean to you? tt fa. what does this mean to you? it is incredible, since the year as we have _ is incredible, since the year as we have seen— is incredible, since the year as we have seen 2.4 million women and .irls have seen 2.4 million women and girls playing this sport. the london fa has— girls playing this sport. the london fa has 450 — girls playing this sport. the london fa has 450 women's teams, 150 teams that are _ fa has 450 women's teams, 150 teams that are recreational, so it has been _ that are recreational, so it has been incredible. it is important that the — been incredible. it is important that the british public know how they can — that the british public know how they can get involved, if they go to england _ they can get involved, if they go to england football dot—com, they can find local— england football dot—com, they can find local centres where more girls and get _ find local centres where more girls and get involved. i'm really excited for the _ and get involved. i'm really excited for the match today and i can't wait for the match today and i can't wait for england — for the match today and i can't wait for england to bring it home. score prediction? — for england to bring it home. score prediction? l— for england to bring it home. score prediction? i think _ for england to bring it home. score prediction? i think it _ for england to bring it home. score prediction? i think it will— for england to bring it home. score prediction? i think it will go - for england to bring it home. score prediction? i think it will go to - prediction? i think it will go to penalties. _ prediction? i think it will go to penalties, and _ prediction? i think it will go to penalties, and i _ prediction? i think it will go to penalties, and i am _ prediction? i think it will go to penalties, and i am saying, i prediction? i think it will go to - penalties, and i am saying, england. good _ penalties, and i am saying, england. good luck— penalties, and i am saying, england. good luck to — penalties, and i am saying, england. good luck to england. let's have a quick chat to anita, former lioness, current coach of bristol city. what does it mean to you when you see so many young people inspired by what the england team are doing? tt many young people inspired by what the england team are doing? it makes me really happy _ the england team are doing? it makes me really happy to _ the england team are doing? it makes me really happy to see _ the england team are doing? it makes me really happy to see the _ me really happy to see the transformation in the women and .irls transformation in the women and girls game, that's thanks to the national— girls game, that's thanks to the national lottery players investment of to support grassroots clubs like highbury— of to support grassroots clubs like highbury wolves to encourage more .irls highbury wolves to encourage more girls to _ highbury wolves to encourage more girls to play and develop more teams within— girls to play and develop more teams within their— girls to play and develop more teams within their clubs so it's fantastic.— within their clubs so it's fantastic. 9 ., :, ,, ., fantastic. what do you think about the name fantastic. what do you think about the game on _ fantastic. what do you think about the game on the _ fantastic. what do you think about the game on the way _ fantastic. what do you think about the game on the way england - fantastic. what do you think about | the game on the way england have been performing so far?— the game on the way england have been performing so far? england have crown into been performing so far? england have grown into the — been performing so far? england have grown into the tournament _ been performing so far? england have grown into the tournament and - been performing so far? england have grown into the tournament and they i grown into the tournament and they have shown a lot of resilience and really _ have shown a lot of resilience and really good game management. i'm excited _ really good game management. i'm excited to— really good game management. i'm excited to watch them today, i think they will— excited to watch them today, i think they will get it done. let�*s excited to watch them today, i think they will get it done.— they will get it done. let's have a cuick they will get it done. let's have a quick chat — they will get it done. let's have a quick chat to _ they will get it done. let's have a quick chat to some _ they will get it done. let's have a quick chat to some of _ they will get it done. let's have a quick chat to some of these - they will get it done. let's have a i quick chat to some of these players, they have been playing so well this morning, martha, maddy, how are you feeling, what is it like to play for this team? tt’s feeling, what is it like to play for this team?— this team? it's really exciting to be honest. _ this team? it's really exciting to be honest, everyone _ this team? it's really exciting to be honest, everyone is - this team? it's really exciting to be honest, everyone is really i be honest, everyone is really enthusiastic and friendly, it's just nice. enthusiastic and friendly, it's 'ust nice. 9 9, enthusiastic and friendly, it's 'ust nice. 9 ., :, ~' enthusiastic and friendly, it's 'ust nice. 9 ., :, ,, ., nice. what do you think about the name, nice. what do you think about the game. are — nice. what do you think about the game. are you — nice. what do you think about the game, are you going _ nice. what do you think about the game, are you going to _ nice. what do you think about the game, are you going to be - nice. what do you think about the l game, are you going to be watching with bated breath when the kick—off happens at 11am? t with bated breath when the kick-off happens at 11am?— happens at 11am? i think it be 3-2, very excited. _ happens at 11am? i think it be 3-2, very excited. very _ happens at 11am? i think it be 3-2, very excited, very enthusiastic i happens at 11am? i think it be 3-2, very excited, very enthusiastic for| very excited, very enthusiastic for this one — very excited, very enthusiastic for this one. 9, very excited, very enthusiastic for this one. :, , , ., :, ., very excited, very enthusiastic for thisone. :, ,, ., :, ., ., this one. how inspirational are the lionesses when _ this one. how inspirational are the lionesses when they _ this one. how inspirational are the lionesses when they take - this one. how inspirational are the lionesses when they take to i this one. how inspirational are the lionesses when they take to the i lionesses when they take to the field? , , ., , field? they never give up and they alwa s field? they never give up and they always keep _ field? they never give up and they always keep trying _ field? they never give up and they always keep trying till— field? they never give up and they always keep trying till the - field? they never give up and they always keep trying till the very i always keep trying till the very last minute _ always keep trying till the very last minute and _ always keep trying till the very last minute and sometimes. always keep trying till the very i last minute and sometimes they always keep trying till the very - last minute and sometimes they have amazing _ last minute and sometimes they have amazing comebacks. _ last minute and sometimes they have amazing comebacks. let’s _ last minute and sometimes they have amazing comebacks.— amazing comebacks. let's have a cuick amazing comebacks. let's have a quick chat _ amazing comebacks. let's have a quick chat to _ amazing comebacks. let's have a quick chat to ash, _ amazing comebacks. let's have a quick chat to ash, the _ amazing comebacks. let's have a quick chat to ash, the co-chair. i quick chat to ash, the co—chair. what does it mean to the young players when they see the lionesses doing so well on the global stage? t doing so well on the global stage? i think it means everything to them, it means everything to see their heroes that they watched growing up because for all of these girls, they cannot remember a time when the girls game wasn't professional in this country. so they have grown up watching super league and the current group of lionesses so it means everything to them to be one game away from the world cup final now. tt game away from the world cup final now. :, , . , , now. it would be incredible if they make it, now. it would be incredible if they make it. are _ now. it would be incredible if they make it, are you _ now. it would be incredible if they make it, are you excited? - now. it would be incredible if they make it, are you excited? very, i make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! _ make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i— make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i will— make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i will let _ make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i will let you - make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i will let you carry i make it, are you excited? very, can't wait! i will let you carry on trainina , can't wait! i will let you carry on training. a _ can't wait! i will let you carry on training, a bit— can't wait! i will let you carry on training, a bit more _ can't wait! i will let you carry on training, a bit more training i can't wait! i will let you carry on i training, a bit more training before the kick—off at 11am. if it does happen, spain await in the final. people have already been inspired by what they are doing in australia but fingers crossed, they make it to that final stage and potentially make history. thank you very much. we are confident. — thank you very much. we are confident, really _ thank you very much. we are confident, really confident. i thank you very much. we are i confident, really confident. and we have another all women team making waves this morning, john maguire has been with them on the thames in central london.— central london. john is about to tell us about _ central london. john is about to tell us about a _ central london. john is about to tell us about a racing _ central london. john is about to tell us about a racing yacht i central london. john is about to tell us about a racing yacht with j central london. john is about to i tell us about a racing yacht with an incredible history. yes, very impressive and incredible future, we hope. don't really need to give you an introduction about where we are, pretty obvious, isn't it? on the river thames, just upriverfrom tower it? on the river thames, just upriver from tower bridge, the tower of londonjust after one upriver from tower bridge, the tower of london just after one side, hms belfast, the shard, we are just waiting for the bridge to come up on tower bridge so that made and can go through. as you imagine, the mast is so tall, we would need the lower bridge to tip up to allow us through. it is difficult, heather the skipper was saying that the southern ocean is easier, we will checkin southern ocean is easier, we will check in a minute and see how we get on. we sailed up the thames yesterday on maiden, she is getting ready to do what she was born to do. every time she embarks on a voyage, maiden and her crew break records, smash glass ceilings, and make headlines, as they have for more than 30 years. now she's returning to her roots and will once again race around the planet. it was 1990 when tracy edwards skippered the first all—female crew to compete in the whitbread round the world yacht race — 12 women who changed the face of sailing forever. heather thomas is the new skipper for the ocean globe race and, at 26, is even younger than tracy was when she raced maiden. yeah, it was a bit of a shock when tracy asked me to be the skipper of maiden, but i was really honoured that she let me look after her baby and take it around the world, and very, very excited to be able to skipper an ocean race for the first time. six years ago, tracy rescued her beloved boat from the scrapheap in the indian ocean. fully restored, she now sails the world as a floating showcase to promote and support education for girls. and so her crew for the race is international. vuyi joins from durban in south africa and shows us what home will be like for the next eight months. this is our bunks, but we don't sleep at the same time, we switch off, it's four hours on or four hours off. maiden will be rolling back the years in more ways than one. the race rules mean they can't use this modern equipment to navigate. they'll plot their course using compass bearings, sextants, and the stars, as sailors have done since man and woman first set sail. all right, lana, can you take a bearing off that lateral mark over there, please? 18—year—old lana from puerto rico is the youngest crew member, and she can't wait to get started. my main role is the bow. so generally i'm in charge of sail changes, putting them up and down, making sure no lines get tangled and, yeah, just hanging out up here on the front. morale, you've got a morale job as well. i am, i am chief of morale. many people think... what do you have to do? so i keep spirits high, make sure everyone's happy. generally, it involves keeping them fed with lots of sugar. as the yacht sailed into london, tracy came alongside to greet her old friend. every time i see maiden, i'm excited. after 35 years, first setting eyes on her and going, "oh, i'm in love," even when she looked so awful, you know, in every reincarnation and every crew we have... i mean, this crew, this crew is amazing. so young — they make me feel quite old! you were them once before. well, i was them then. you know, they're young, they're dynamic, they're excited, they're committed, everything we were 33 years ago. so, maiden is about to take on the world one more time. some of the paint work and the crew may be new, but her ambition and the impact she'll have, to excite and inspire girls wherever she's seen, is the same today as it's always been. welcome back to the river thames, you could cut the atmosphere with a damp spatula because we are just waiting for the bridge to come up. the river is fairly quiet but imagine you have got the breeze, the tide, you have got a very, very tall boat and we are just waiting for the bridge to come up. it doesn't give you a great deal of space, it's a bit like threading a needle going through. let's have a quick chat to tracy while we are waiting to get through. we have met quite a few times over the last few years, every chapter is an exciting one and a new one, tell us about this and tell us why you want maiden to go back racing. why you want maiden to go back racina. 9 9, why you want maiden to go back racina. 9 :, , �* , why you want maiden to go back racina. 9 :, , �*, :, racing. well, we thought, she's got one more time _ racing. well, we thought, she's got one more time around, _ racing. well, we thought, she's got one more time around, i— racing. well, we thought, she's got one more time around, i have i racing. well, we thought, she's got one more time around, i have only| one more time around, i have only got one more time around in me! we thought, what a great thing it would be to do herfinal thought, what a great thing it would be to do her final race with the spectacular young crew from all the corners of the earth, representing women from all over the world and still promoting girls education. we just thought it would be a great song sung for maiden.- just thought it would be a great song sung for maiden. number three is back, song sung for maiden. number three is back. that — song sung for maiden. number three is back, that was _ song sung for maiden. number three is back, that was the _ song sung for maiden. number three is back, that was the number - song sung for maiden. number three is back, that was the number when i is back, that was the number when you raised her?— you raised her? yes, that was the, three, you raised her? yes, that was the, three. we — you raised her? yes, that was the, three. we had _ you raised her? yes, that was the, three, we had the _ you raised her? yes, that was the, three, we had the choice _ you raised her? yes, that was the, three, we had the choice of- you raised her? yes, that was the, three, we had the choice of race i three, we had the choice of race numbers and so we said, we will have that one. igrate numbers and so we said, we will have that one. 9 ., , ., :, that one. we might grab a word with heather the — that one. we might grab a word with heather the skipper _ that one. we might grab a word with heather the skipper but _ that one. we might grab a word with heather the skipper but she - that one. we might grab a word with heather the skipper but she is - heather the skipper but she is extremely busy indeed! she was saying, it feels like a racing yacht, it feels like a ferrari, it might not have been erased for the last few years, is that the ethos of the boat, that it always wants to go? i know you have made a few changes, you have stripped down some kits to make a lighter and faster. she was really ahead of her time when we she was seen on the water, people thought the designer was mad. but now every modern boat is pretty much modelled on her, so she was a little bit ahead of her time as i hope we all were back then. she is fast, looking good, she's in good condition, the crew have worked really, really hard on her. and spent a lot of money on her, still looking for another sponsor, if anyone wants to back maiden as we sail around the world! we are very happy with her, very happy with the crew. i'm so proud, i'm so proud of them. t crew. i'm so proud, i'm so proud of them. , , 9, 9, crew. i'm so proud, i'm so proud of them. , , :, ., . crew. i'm so proud, i'm so proud of them. , i. ., . ., them. i bet you are. the crew are doinu a them. i bet you are. the crew are doing a fantastic— them. i bet you are. the crew are doing a fantastic job, _ them. i bet you are. the crew are doing a fantastic job, it's - them. i bet you are. the crew are doing a fantastic job, it's really i doing a fantasticjob, it's really quiet, here we go, we arejust heading through, can you breathe? i'm not sure i can. we are going through tower bridge, it is opening exactly at 8:50am, it takes about a minute to get to its open extent, it doesn't look like there is a lot of room to thread the eye of the needle from our perspective. what a magnificent start, what a magnificent start, what a magnificent view this is in london this morning. the weather is absolutely perfect. the river is fairly quiet. condition fairly benign. then again, you're not having to navigate a huge racing yacht through the deck. just coming up yacht through the deck. just coming up to it now. it feels as though the top of the mast is going to scrape even up across the upper deck, the pedestrian deck. there we go, i think that is pretty much absolutely dead down the centre.— think that is pretty much absolutely dead down the centre.- i'm| dead down the centre. perfect! i'm not sure heather _ dead down the centre. perfect! i'm not sure heather is _ dead down the centre. perfect! i'm not sure heather is breathing. i dead down the centre. perfect! i'm not sure heather is breathing. she | not sure heather is breathing. she is smiling, she is smiling. she is doing an incrediblejob to get through. tracy, that is why you chose her to be skipper.- chose her to be skipper. yes, heather started _ chose her to be skipper. yes, heather started with - chose her to be skipper. yes, heather started with us i chose her to be skipper. yes, heather started with us in i chose her to be skipper. 19: heather started with us in september after we started after the awful pandemic, heatherwas after we started after the awful pandemic, heather was one of our new crewmembers on board and she has worked her way up through the ranks and absolutely now deserves to be the skipper of maiden. actually heather is 26 years old which is the same age i was when i skippered maiden 33 years ago. can same age i was when i skippered maiden 33 years ago.— same age i was when i skippered maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done. _ maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done, how— maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done, how was _ maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done, how was that? i maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done, how was that? a i maiden 33 years ago. can you talk to me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! _ me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! just _ me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! just a _ me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! just a bit, _ me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! just a bit, not - me? well done, how was that? a bit nerve-racking! just a bit, notjust i nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doinu nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doin: it nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but fl nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but doing i nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but doing it i nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but doing it on i nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but doing it on tv i nerve-racking! just a bit, not 'ust doing it but doing it on tv as i nerve-racking! just a bit, notjust| doing it but doing it on tv as well. sorry about that, we did make you do it on live television! t sorry about that, we did make you do it on live television!— it on live television! i think it went well. — it on live television! i think it went well, though. - it on live television! i think it went well, though. it - it on live television! i think it went well, though. it went i went well, though. it went brilliantly _ went well, though. it went brilliantly and _ went well, though. it went brilliantly and it _ went well, though. it went brilliantly and it looked i went well, though. it went | brilliantly and it looked like went well, though. it went - brilliantly and it looked like you got it bang brilliantly and it looked like you got it hang in the centre. you are concentrating hugely. it got it bang in the centre. you are concentrating hugely.— got it bang in the centre. you are concentrating hugely. it was 'ust, don't concentrating hugely. it was 'ust, don-t mess — concentrating hugely. it was 'ust, don-t mess up. i concentrating hugely. it was 'ust, don't mess up, that i concentrating hugely. it was 'ust, don't mess up, that was i concentrating hugely. it wasjust, don't mess up, that was pretty i concentrating hugely. it wasjust, i don't mess up, that was pretty much it! that— don't mess up, that was pretty much it! that would be very embarrassing. i talk_ it! that would be very embarrassing. i talk to— it! that would be very embarrassing. i talk to you — it! that would be very embarrassing. i talk to you about how you felt about being given the keys to the votes, what are you thinking, we are just a few weeks to go until the beginning of the race. fix, just a few weeks to go until the beginning of the race.— just a few weeks to go until the beginning of the race. a lot on to net the beginning of the race. a lot on to get the boat _ beginning of the race. a lot on to get the boat ready _ beginning of the race. a lot on to get the boat ready but _ beginning of the race. a lot on to get the boat ready but i - beginning of the race. a lot on to get the boat ready but i am - get the boat ready but i am confident with this amazing team we will get _ confident with this amazing team we will get there. it is nerve—racking but as_ will get there. it is nerve—racking but as soon— will get there. it is nerve—racking but as soon as we get across the start_ but as soon as we get across the start line — but as soon as we get across the start line all the nerves will go and hopefully being very competitive.— and hopefully being very cometitive. ., , ~ competitive. you will be knuckling down and racing. _ competitive. you will be knuckling down and racing. it _ competitive. you will be knuckling down and racing. it it, _ competitive. you will be knuckling down and racing. it it, it's - competitive. you will be knuckling down and racing. it it, it'sjust- down and racing. it it, it'sjust when you get to sure that you have got to do their maintenance.- got to do their maintenance. there are lots of bits _ got to do their maintenance. there are lots of bits to _ got to do their maintenance. there are lots of bits to bump _ got to do their maintenance. there are lots of bits to bump into, - got to do their maintenance. there are lots of bits to bump into, yes. | are lots of bits to bump into, yes. the official— are lots of bits to bump into, yes. the official photographer is on board from afghanistan, when we are talking about education, for young women and girls, you are a perfect example of why that is important. what does it mean to you to be on board maiden?— what does it mean to you to be on board maiden? . ., ., , board maiden? well, for me, it means a lot. it's board maiden? well, for me, it means a lot- it's of — board maiden? well, for me, it means a lot. it's of huge _ board maiden? well, for me, it means a lot. it's of huge importance - board maiden? well, for me, it means a lot. it's of huge importance that - a lot. it's of huge importance that i am part of maiden. i think i was very lucky, and i have the chance, tracy chose me to be on maiden. because as you just said, i come from a country, afghanistan, that the girls, the women, they are banned from education, they are banned from education, they are banned from education, they are banned from going to university, going to schools. to work, they are basically, they are imprisoned by the taliban. sol basically, they are imprisoned by the taliban. so i think what maiden is doing, it's exactly they are doing it at the right time, and i love what they do. so empowering their girls through education, raising awareness about the importance of education around the world. for girls. so i'm so happy to be here, and i'm really super excited for the journey. excited for the 'ourney. thank you so much, excited for the journey. thank you so much. enjoy — excited for the journey. thank you so much, enjoy the _ excited for the journey. thank you so much, enjoy the journey. - excited for the journey. thank you so much, enjoy the journey. it's . excited for the journey. thank you | so much, enjoy the journey. it's an so much, enjoy thejourney. it's an eight month long trip, you are not a sailor, but you will be in the very foreseeable future! a beautiful day, what a menu that they have pulled off this morning. if the crew if they can hear me once do one final thing, there we are, crew, give a special message to the lionesses with the game coming up in australia, so from the all—female inspirational crew of maiden, we wanted to say... inspirational crew of maiden, we wanted to say. . .— wanted to say... good luck, lionesses! _ wanted to say... good luck, lionesses! damn _ wanted to say... good luck, lionesses! damn straight! l fantastic, take that, australia, with your opera house! we fantastic, take that, australia, with your opera house! we have got a bride with your opera house! we have got a brid . e that with your opera house! we have got a bridge that moves! _ with your opera house! we have got a bridge that moves! our— with your opera house! we have got a bridge that moves! our hearts - with your opera house! we have got a bridge that moves! our hearts were i bridge that moves! our hearts were in our mounts _ bridge that moves! our hearts were in our mounts slightly _ bridge that moves! our hearts were in our mounts slightly for— bridge that moves! our hearts were in our mounts slightly for that - in our mounts slightly for that moment but they nailed it, superb, what an adventure they are going on. we are going to win already. don’t we are going to win already. don't tem -t it, we are going to win already. don't tempt it. lets _ we are going to win already. don't tempt it, let's see _ we are going to win already. don't tempt it, let's see if— we are going to win already. don't tempt it, let's see if that - we are going to win already. don't tempt it, let's see if that sunshine is across the country! yes, it is 18 degrees in london so a beautiful start but it is like that in many areas. here are some blue skies, thank you to our weather watchers for all of the fabulous pictures you have sent us. in blackpool this morning it is 17 degrees, crystal is 1a, northern ireland 10 degrees. —— bristol is 14. the ireland 10 degrees. —— bristol is 1a. the pollen levels are high across england and wales, and we are talking weeks pollen at the moment. —— wheat pollen. high pressure is in charge, not much happening, areas of cloud this morning, patchy mist and fog which will continue to lift and we have also got some showers across parts of scotland and northern ireland, but as we go through the course of the day a few more showers will develop but not as many as yesterday. we could catch the odd sharp one, a rumble of thunder is more unlikely. we could hang on to a bit more cloud in aberdeenshire, around areas of the moray firth and caithness. temperature wise, 18 in stornoway, 31 in glasgow, 26 top temperature in london. —— 21 in glasgow. most of the showers will fade tonight, cloudy across scotland, also eastern parts of england and the midlands, hill folk as well, clearer spells, temperatures falling away to between nine and 1a degrees. high pressure ensconced across our shores tomorrow, you can see from the isobars the direction of the breeze from the south—east so we are pulling in warm air across the country in the near continent. we start with cloud and hill fog, that will break up and although there will break up and although there will be a few showers dotted around, most of us will miss them and get away with a dry day. we can see an onshore breeze along the north she coastline which will take the temperatures back in touch. for most of us, 1a to 27,27 are more likely in central and southern england. as we move on into friday, this weather front is coming our way first, and then this one is coming in second. and eventually, they will both merge, both of them bringing in some rain. the first one as it pushes northwards, it will turn more showery and you could hear rumbles of thunder from that. and then a more organised heavier one coming in behind it, again bringing rain and thunderstorms in places. ahead of both that there will be a lot of cloud, thick enough for drizzle especially in north—east england. the driest conditions in north—east scotland and the far south—east, and on friday it is going to feel humid. top temperature is getting up to 26 in london, in the sunshine, 20 in stornoway will feel pleasant. overnight we could have a tropical night which means it will be very warm, temperatures in some parts of the country may not fall away at lower than 20 degrees and on saturday itself the rain pushes northwards, and behind it we are back into a lot of dry weather, sunshine and a few showers. it will feel fresher as well, 15 in the north to 26 in the south. you're watching bbc breakfast. it's 8:59. it is match day, game on, world cup semifinal. it starts in stadium australia at 11 o'clock this morning. all the build—up on radio 5 live and bbc one. will the lionesses roar? well this pride be the pride of england? well the matildas waltz into the world cup final. well the aussies be the host with the most are well the lionesses roar? i have got the cliches. you have the opinions, thoughts, they love and the passion. let's hear it. call 08085 909 693. text 85058. let's do this. get in touch. lots to talk about, australia, england, always tasty and spiky. it is all coming up and we want to hear from you.