27/06/2011 BBC News at One

Union leaders hold fresh talks with ministers three days ahead of

planned strikes by public sector workers. The Government has

condemned the planned a walkout by teachers and civil servants over

their pensions, but unions stand firm. We are sorry about the

disruption but we think we have to defend the pension scheme.

The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for

Colonel Gaddafi and two of his closest allies.

A major shake-up at the Ministry of Defence - it is aimed at tackling

waste, red tape and rivalry between the armed forces.

David Cameron announces deals worth �1.4 billion with China but denies

trade was being secured at the expense of human rights.

In hot water, but they are delighted - and why engineers have

rolled beneath the streets of Newcastle in a bid for a greener

future. And I am at a baking hot at

Wimbledon where Andy Murray is due on Centre Court for his 4th round

Good afternoon. Ministers and union leaders will

hold fresh talks as lunchtime ahead of planned strikes by public-sector

workers on Thursday. Or to three- quarters of a million teachers and

civil servants are set to walk out in protest at plans to reform

public sector pensions. The strike will close schools and is likely to

cause widespread disruption if it goes ahead. Unions are threatening

more action in the autumn. They are gearing up for the walkout.

This morning, members of the Civil Service union were reminding

workers about Thursday's strikes will stop as many as three-quarters

of a million public sector employees could join the action,

including thousands of teachers in England and Wales. Two teaching

unions voted to join the protest. Since February we have been talking

to them and asking them to shift on the idea we have to pay 50% more,

work until 68 and get less from the RPI and CPI in retirement. We have

not seen any sign of movement on any of those questions. What do you

say to those parents whose lives will be disrupted because you're

members are going on strike? don't want the strike to happen, we

want the Government to talk and tell us these things will be put

right. We are sorry about the disruption but we think we have to

defend the pension scheme. Trade union leaders are meeting to talk

tactics ahead of Nick associations with ministers later. They are

trying to hammer out an agreement about the future of public sector

pensions and the Government says these strikes shouldn't happened.

The discussions are going on now. We have a meeting today and another

one next week. The idea it is remotely appropriate to contemplate

strike action while the discussions are going on is wrong. It is

inappropriate. The Education Secretary said parents could help

keep schools open on Thursday. In Leeds, the worry is how they will

get to work. I feel sympathy, but I won't get paid so it does not help

me. I think the teachers have a point. I think public sector

workers in general are getting a card deal. It is going to mean I

have to get childcare to go to work. Thursday's strikes seems very

likely to go ahead, but it is the prospect of a bigger walkout in the

autumn that could focus talks across the negotiating table today.

At the moment there seems little room for agreement. The Government

is clear pension age must rise and contributions to pensions must

increase. But a leaked documents shows that the unions this agree on

those core issues. Despite the rhetoric, talking continues and the

two sides will meet again next month.

Our industry correspondent is here. Talks might be continuing but it is

very unlikely they will avert strikes on Thursday? Indeed, not

least one of the unions are striking over a whole range of

issues, not just pensions, they are striking over jobs and pay. They

won't be discussed in these talks will it is likely the strikes will

go ahead on Thursday. We have learnt how far apart they seem to

be. We have heard the Government, a Danny Alexander coming out and

giving specifics on what the Government wants out of the talks.

It wants to see people move from final salary schemes to clear

average schemes. He wants people to work longer and to contribute to

more. A paper the BBC has seen which is the trade union basis for

discussion they passed to the Government last week, the trade

unions have made it clear that on the pension age, they think they

should be no presumption of increases and no change without

agreement. On contribution rates they say they believe there is no

case for increased contribution rates except where they are agreed.

The bottom line is, at this stage the trade unions want a set of

principles to the agreed and not a set of specific. They think the

specific should be left to the schemes specific discussions so

that discussions, the firefighters and teachers discussions, the

details to be discussed their butts and principles to be discussed now.

But will the Government go for that? We'll see what comes out of

these talks this afternoon. Arrest warrants have been issued

for the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi and two of his closest

allies for alleged crimes against humanity. The decision was made by

the International Criminal Court at the Hague. Rebel forces claim they

are making advances in the west of the country, less than 50 miles

from Tripoli. It has been 100 days since Britain became in military

airstrikes on Libya. In 100 days of operations there

have been 5,000 attack missions. The mandate from the UN is to

protect Libyan civilians. Britain is a key participant and says it

has damaged or destroyed more than 500 targets associated with the

Gaddafi regime and its forces. NATO admits there have been civilian

casualties. In this attack, a small boy was among the dead, but NATO

maintained the house was a legitimate target. The rebels,

fighting last week along the coast, insist Colonel Gaddafi is under

increasing pressure, as does NATO. His officials dismiss the

suggestion. The leader is absolutely with us. He is leading

the country every day. He is leading the Daily matters of the

country and helping us conduct the crisis. He is strong, very high in

morale and spirit. As if to underline such claims, state TV

recently showed Colonel Gaddafi meeting tribal leaders. Now, the

judges at the International Criminal Court have turned Colonel

Gaddafi, one of his sons and his intelligence chief into

internationally wanted suspects commissioning arrest warrants. In

the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, some say it is not international

just as they want for Colonel Gaddafi. We're not going to wait to

see him in jail outside Libya of the exile somewhere, this man says.

The Libyan people want to punish him themselves, he and his sons

perpetrated many crimes against us. It may be clear for now, where the

rebels, the military and political and diplomatic efforts will take

them, even from the Nato-led coalition. But the rebels say they

hope Colonel Gaddafi might be out of power before the Muslims

observed at Ramadan in August. In a moment we will speak to Andrew

Harding in Misrata for reaction to the issue of those warrants. But

first to Mark Doyle who was with rubble forces to the west of

Tripoli. The rebels have come down from the

mountain, south-west of Tripoli and the position they hold I visited is

a couple of miles behind me up this road. It means the rebels have a

position approximately 30 miles from Tripoli. I have been yesterday

and today and it seems this position is fairly stable, although

all morning I have heard happy weapon -- heavy weapons being fired

in his desert plane which is on the approaches to Tripoli. I have just

heard some NATO jets overhead as well.

Our World Affairs Correspondent, Andrew Harding in a Misrata force

of the issue a these arrest warrants is seen as significant on

the part of the international community, any reaction to it

there? Quite a reaction. There has been sustained gunfire throughout

the city since the announcement came through. People firing guns

and heavy weapons into the air in celebration. Cars are blaring

behind me. Most people saying, we just want Gaddafi out. When you

press them, people say it would be great if he was put on trial, but

if it were to end this conflict more quickly, people would be happy

to see him in internal exile under house arrest with his close aides

and his family. Most people seem to see that as a realistic way out.

Andrew Harding. A major shake-up of the Ministry of

Defence has been announced, aimed at tackling waste, red tape and

rivalry between the armed forces. The Defence Secretary has vowed to

bring spending at the MoD under control. Reforms will likely mean a

cut in the number of senior officers and the Defence board.

Caroline Wyatt has the details. The aim of these reforms is to

streamline and simplify decision- making at the MoD, added, which has

had many problems. The Defence Secretary has announced reforms

aimed at slimming-down Dickie decision-making committee, the

Defence bought from 12 to eight, taking single service chiefs of it

but allowing them more control and autonomy. Automatic, it could mean

some job cuts at the top, with fewer senior officers and perhaps a

ministerial post to go, to reflect the cuts being made to other ranks

and civil servants. We need to get changed, and we need

to get changed quickly. The question is, can you bring all of

the armed forces, civil servants along with us? I think we can, if

they see the reforms have a clear direction. And I think if they

believe they offer. Even though Britain has the fourth-

biggest defence budget in the world, and currently spends nearly �34

billion annually, roughly 2% of GDP, the National Audit Office reported

in 2009 highlighting a black hole, anything from �6 billion, to �36

billion in equipment over the next decade, without the funds to pay

for it. Some critics say the problem of bureaucracy at the MoD

is long-standing. Every time you try it, it sounds marvellous cut

out the waste, centralise and put it under one a two people. But the

fundamental problems of not enough money and too many demands on that

money will still be pertaining. You might change the architecture, but

I have yet to be convinced it will do what everybody hopes it will.

Many have tried to reform the MoD in the past and it has not always

worked, with the Department going through immense uncertainty and

upheaval cutting civilian and service personnel. How these plans

are implemented will be key to the chances of their success.

An inquest will take place into the death of Christopher Shale, close

friend of the Prime Minister who was found dead at Glastonbury

yesterday. Mr Shayler, the chairman of the Conservative Association in

Mr Cameron's constituency in West Oxfordshire, is thought to have

suffered a heart attack. The body of a man who died on a

Greek island 11 years ago has been exhumed in County Durham.

Christopher Rochester fell from a balcony on holiday and the doctor

who treated him was found guilty of negligence. When his body was

returned it was missing a kidney. His family believe it was removed

illegally. The Greek authorities have called for further DNA samples

from his remains. The clothing chain, Jayne Norman

has gone into administration after closing its 90 stores on Saturday.

600 jobs are at risk. Habitat outside London, owner of Dolphin

bathrooms and mauve and kitchens also went into administration.

Businessmen have signed up business deal with China for more than a

billion pounds. The Chinese premier met with David Cameron in Downing

Street today. The Prime Minister rejected suggestions the trade was

secured at the expense of human rights, saying the UK was

encouraging to Chinese Government to make progress on issues of

politics and democracy. This report does contain flash photography.

China UK summits are more frequent these days and not just about pomp

and ceremony. David Cameron sees premier Wen Jiabao as a partner for

growth, a key player to opening up China to British business. With

every smile and handshake, there are hopes the targets of the �60

billion of bilateral trade by 2015 will be reached. And vital for

Britain it is not only about a more imports, today new deals have been

signed to export pigs and poultry as well as retail and legal

services to China's growing millions of middle-class consumers.

This summit is mainly about trade and business, but human rights on

the agenda. The British Government is arguing Justice and the rule of

law are essential if China's economic progress is to be

sustainable. David Cameron was asked if in Britain's eagerness to

do business with China, he was helping to prop up an authoritarian

regime. We are different countries, different history is and different

stages of development. We should show each other respect. But we are

very clear that political and economic development should go hand

in hand, one supports the other. And Wen Jiabao stressed china

responded better to co-operation than criticism.

TRANSLATION: China and the UK should respect each other, respect

the facts, treat each other as equals and engage in more

corporation than finger-pointing and resolved properly, issues

through dialogue. Dialogue is the buzzword, both

sides hope along with growth and business comes more communication

and understanding of each other's Our top story this lunchtime: Union

leaders are holding fresh talks with ministers three days ahead of

planned strikes by public sector workers.

Coming up: All eyes on Centre Court as Andy Murray battles for a place

in the quarter-finals. So far his match with Richard Gasquet is going

with Sir. Still to come: The rest of the

sport including how the UK's Scientists in Newcastle have hit

the jackpot in their quest for renewable energy. A team has struck

naturally occurring hot water after drilling nearly a mile deep into

the earth's crust. They are ultimately hoping to use the steam

produced to heat homes in the area. Fiona Trott is at the site in

Newcastle. This is the kind of drill that was

used in the Chilean miners rescue and yet here it is, at Newcastle

city centre, a stone's throw from St James's Park. Because scientists

had a strong suspicion that there was hot water deep beneath the

ground and finally, they have been proved right.

It is a rare sight in a city-centre and it is hard work. For four

months, this drill have gone deeper and deeper into the earth's crust,

passing fossils over 300 million years old, and now it has hit the

jackpot. Steaming hot water has finally been found. Scientists are

thrilled. Absolutely over the moon. It has been a long time coming and

it is as low carbon as it could get. The carbon footprint of this

operation ends when their drilling rig get out. The drill is coming on

to 2000 metres below Newcastle. After sandstone, the boredhole will

reach port of up to 80 degrees Celsius. -- will reach water. That

will then be pumped up to the surface. This project has captured

the imagination of school children. Coal is not a renewables substance

but back there, that is renewable because they can get water that is

really hot. What do you think of that? It is good because I am

really interested in science and history and it is putting them

together so it is really good. the university has heeded one of

its own buildings, hundreds of local homes and some businesses

could follow, but first, scientists must test the sandstone which

insulates the water underground. That work will be finished by

September. Let me explain something about the fans don't. They have to

make sure there is enough of it to keep the water hot -- about the

fans don't. The water is pumped through again and again, and that

is why other cities with the sandstone are watching the project

carefully. Geothermal energy has been used before but what

scientists say is so unique about this is the fact they are using

drills and they are going much deeper into the ground. The deeper

they go, the hotter the water will be and the more successful this

project will be as well. The former Justice Secretary, Jack

Straw, has attacked what he called the racket of car insurance

companies that sell customers' details to personal injury claim

firms. Mr Straw said the number of claims companies had doubled in the

past two years and they should be regulated more closely and their

high pressure sales techniques curbed.

The head of the British Medical Association has warned that cuts

being made to the Health Service were being rushed. In a speech to

BMA representatives in Cardiff today, Dr Hamish Meldrum warned the

Government that the medical profession would react strongly to

any cuts that might be seen as knee-jerk or slash-and-burn.

Branwen Jeffreys reports. The images in England is changing.

Plans to give doctors a bigger say over budgets and to encourage

competition -- the NHS in England is changing. The government has

promised 180 changes to the health bill. Today, the union said it

would hold ministers to those promises. We have to ensure that

those legislative changes match up to the rhetoric of the last few

weeks. Over the weekend, we have been examining a 180 government

amendments published on Thursday in minute detail. Insuring what has

been promised is being delivered. But doctors have gathered from

around the UK and share another worry. Even where health spending

is protected, costs are rising faster. Our overshadowing NHS

reform is potentially an even bigger challenge. The challenge of

ever-increasing demands, finite resources and the most difficult

financial situation in all four nations that has ever been faced by

the NHS in its 63 years. Hospitals in some areas are feeling the pinch.

In England, this is where many of the efficiency savings are being

made. The BMA is worried about growing variation in treatment from

one area to another but managers say the NHS can make its savings

without damaging patient care. are determined to make the savings

without reducing patient care. What we are trying to do is make sure

that where we can get to people earlier, where we can avoid

hospital admissions because we can treat in primary care, that is what

we need to do. All the doctors know they are working in a tough

financial climate. The NHS has to find ways of doing more for the

fame manage with smack less and in England, within a couple of years,

it will be doctors, not managers, making those decisions -- the NHS

have to find ways of doing more for the fame of money with less.

Police in the Irish Republic believe they have foiled a planned

bomb attack in Northern Ireland by dissident republicans. They say

home made explosive material, which was found on a farm in County Louth

on Saturday, could have been used to make a 500-pound car bomb. Two

men have been arrested. Mark Simpson is in Belfast.

Even when Northern Ireland's grim standards, �500 macro is a big bomb

and even though it was found on the southern side of the Irish border,

it was destined for Northern Ireland. Obviously police on very

high alert in Belfast after last week's violence, particularly

involving loyalists, but they have to keep their eye on dissident

republicans as well, particularly the group that is believed to have

been making that bomb. It is a dissident faction known as Oglaigh

Na h'Eireann. It is relatively new but it is dangerous. The police

know: They tried to smuggle him one bomb and they will probably try to

smuggle him more. What is the carb level of threat by

dissident groups? -- the current level of threat?

It is as high as it has been in recent years and it is pretty acute

because we are into the marching season, the time of year we

dissidents and loyalists are the most active, but the police is

taking comfort from two things. How quickly they were able to quell the

violence in East Belfast last week and the level of North-South co-

operation between the police have never been better, as was evidenced

by the finding of the bomb at the weekend.

There were violent scenes in Argentina after the legendary

football club River Plate was relegated to the second division

for the first time in its 110-year history. Police used water cannons

on the enraged crowd after they shouted insults at the players. The

violence then escalated outside the stadium in Buenos Aires and at

least 25 people were injured as It looks set to be the hottest day

of the year in parts of the country today and it's no exception at

Wimbledon where the sun is shining and the British number one, Andy

Murray, has just begun his battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

He's on Centre Court playing the Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the

fourth round. They have played each other four times before, with each

winning twice. Sally Nugent is there.

I can tell you that today is generally agreed to be the best day

of the Wimbledon fortnight. It is the fourth round. Plenty of matches

to watch. And it is baking hot! Andy Murray is on Centre Court.

Only at Wimbledon. They have camped out in the rain, now it is time to

swelter in the heat. To cheer on Andy Murray, you must be prepared

for every eventuality. Hot weather, late nights and nail-biting moments

of drama. The man himself has to keep a cool head today, with the

Centre Court roof open and an opponent he knows very well. He has

won all of his matches pretty comfortably so far and he plays

very well on grass, he is comfortable on the surface, so it

will be really tough. Murray and Gasquet have history. Back in 2008,

with the Frenchman on the brink of victory, Andy Murray fought back to

win in five gruelling sets. It was the year the British No. 1 came of

age. He is not likely to let today's high temperatures get in

his way. You can never get too hot in this country. Sometimes in

Australia, it can get a bit tricky. There is also a breeze today.

Murray fans be warned. He said he is expecting a tough match. But

even Gasquet has hinted the Scotsman has the measure of him.

has been very good, he is number four in the world since a long time,

one of the best players. He has done a lot of finals, he won the

series, so if you really can win and why not this year? Before the

plane is stepped on court, the biggest cheer of the day was for

the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But with the match now under way,

and Ian Murray will want to make short work of his French opponent.

-- Andy Murray. Gasquet is currently leading 2-1 in

the first set but plenty of other tennis today. All of the big four

men. Roger Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. One word of warning:

Although it looks beautifully sunny now, we are expecting rain later on.

Hotting up in the tennis and of course, whether wives. We might

only have it for one day there. How At bet with the tennis players

stepped on Centre Court, it was like opening the oven door. It is

not pleasant. But just one day of this excessive heat with a big

contrast across the UK. It is somewhere from London to leadership,

they could see a 33 today. -- London to Lincolnshire. Big

differences, 20 degrees colder in Lossiemouth. A big contrast. There

is Collette air out to the far north and west and over the next

few hours, it is the last day we will see these hot temperatures.

Thunderstorms in the hottest areas. They have been starting to break

out already in the last few hours in south-west England, and these

will move further east, especially into England. At 4pm, a scattering

of heavy showers in the South West and Southern Wales. The cloud

increasing all the way, and into the Midlands as well. Cloudy in

Northern Ireland with patchy rain. Look at the temperatures as we go

across these areas. Nothing like 30. Just 12 degrees in the eastern side

of Scotland. Heavy showers in northern England and the East

Midlands. Civic heat, into the 30s. But that some will be turning

increasingly hazy -- but the front- runner will be turning increasingly

hazy. Hopefully Andy Murray will not make that game last too long.

We should focus on the heavy downpours moving into the south-

east of England through the course of the evening. Very gusty winds

are possible with these, and widespread thunder and lightning.

Even if you hear some thunder, you might not get too much rain but

some torrential downpours are possible. A fresh and light

elsewhere. Still while the warm in the South East but not quite as

warm perhaps as last night. More cloud in the South East tomorrow

with thundery downpours. Rain possible in the Midlands and north-

east England, brighter skies to the north and west. Still rather warm

enough South East but the last day of the excessive heat. For the rest

of the week, temperatures will be closer to average. Most places will

be dry. Back To today, we are very hot across the South East but not

as hot as in France, where they may break a record for the hottest day

in June on record. We have dodged Thank goodness it is not 40! Good

this me! A reminder of our top story:

Ministers and union leaders will hold talks this lunchtime ahead of

planned strike by public sector workers on Thursday.

The International Criminal Court in the Hague has issued an arrest