hello, i'm steve lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. minister's foreign minister accuses... hello from the bbc sport centre. one place to start, and that's in paris. plenty more medals in the pool to come. is there any stopping france's superhero of the pool and golden boy of the games so far, leon marchand? the 22—year—old broke another olympic record at the la defence arena, this time in the 200m individual medley. another gold for marchand makes it four now for him in paris. britain's duncan scott was a second further back, for the silver,

with shun wang of china in third. but it really was all about marchand, the home support again treated to another spectacular showing. australia's cameron mcevoy took his first olympic gold medal, when he won the men's 50m freestyle. mcevoy is the first australian man to win the shortest distance on the swimming programme, while britain's ben proud took the silver medal. france's florent manaudou got the bronze 12 years after he won gold at london 2012. the current olympic champion, caeleb dressel of the united states, finished sixth. now to the track. the united states set a new world record in the heats of the mixed four by a00m relay. the team of four comprising of vernon norwood, shamier little, bryce deadmon and kaylyn brown smashed the previous record set at the world championships in budapest last year. there were also national records for france, belgium and jamaica. home—favourite teddy riner became the firstjudoka to win four olympic gold medals after defeating south

korea's kim min—jong in the heavyweight final on friday, just a week on from lightling the olympic cauldron alongside marie—jose perec in paris. to the trampoline, where bryony page won team gb�*s first—ever gold in the category. page has now completed her set of medals, after winning silver at rio 2016 and bronze in tokyo three years ago. she went into the competition as the reigning world champion and gold medal favourite. and she delivered. gb were victorious again, winning gold in the equestrian team jumping final. the british trio of ben maher, harry charles and scott brash picked up just two—time penalties to top the standings, winning gold for the first time since london 2012. a taiwanese boxer whose inclusion at the paris games has caused controversy after she was reported to have failed a gender test last year has won her first fight in the women's division. taiwan's lin yu ting beat

sitora turdibekova of uzbekistan by unanimous decision after the fight went the full three rounds. the controversy over her inclusion in the games and that of algerian boxer imane khelif continues. khelif progressed in the competition yesterday after her opponent angela carini withdrew saying she had to protect her life. khelif and lin yu ting were both banned from competing by the international boxing association but cleared to compete at the olympics by the ioc. the british secretary of state for media and sport is lisa nandy. she says there were questions to be answered. it was a very uncomfortable watch for the 46 seconds it lasted. i know that there are a lot of concerns about women competitors whether we are getting the balance right in not just boxing but other sports, as well. the decision that successive governments have made is that these are complex decisions that should be made by sporting bodies, in this case, i understand that the biologicalfacts case, i understand that the biological facts are more

complicated than is being presented on social media speculation. i think that as sporting bodies try to strike a balance between safety, inclusion... i think there is a framework that they had to make these decisions correctly and i will be speaking to these sporting bodies over the coming months.— over the coming months. d'okovic is in the final and h over the coming months. d'okovic is in the final and will... _ over the coming months. d'okovic is in the final and will... the _ over the coming months. djokovic is in the final and will... the men's - in the final and will... the men's finals... thank you very much. the government in the uk is warning protesters who are threatening to take to the streets this weekend that the police are watching them after the violence that erupted in the wake of the stabbings in southport this week. more than 100 people have been arrested in riots in southport, hartlepool and london. three girls were

killed and eight more children were injured in a knife attack on a dance class on monday. the great—aunt of one of the children who died — seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe — has been talking to our correspondent dan johnson. five days isn't long to process something so awful. and people are still struggling with everything that has hit the town this week. there's collective grief for three little girls, but at its heart are bereaved relatives, like elsie dot stancombe's great—aunt, jean. it is the first time we have spoken to one of the girl's family. i was giving elsie singing lessons because she takes after me. what was she like? she was lovely, she was so sweet and so, so gentle. so gentle. how do you think people will cope? i have no idea. i have no idea, people just

coped in their own ways. ijust know that elsie's mum and dad are going to struggle. really struggle. those grieving and injured were the focus of friday prayers. we want those angels to remembered for what they wear, young and free, now they are dancing in the sky. on tuesday, this was the target of a riot and they are thanking the police and the community. we want to share with these people we love them very much. we respect them very much and we are part of them and i am sure they are part of us. they are in our hands. it was humbling to see the help and support they came and gave us. john takes spiritual support

to the streets of his hometown. he is somehow staying upbeat. we are at the beginning of mourning for the three tragic lives _ and the others who are injured. but southport will recover. and there is determination that positivity will dominate this response. i think it will make the community stronger. yes, definitely. definitely. things can only change for the better after this, you know. so, hopefully, anyway. elsie, seven, bebe, six, and alice, nine, the sudden loss of such innocence is still impossible to comprehend. there is deep strength here, but it has been sorely tested. danjohnson, bbc news, southport.

venezuela's foreign minister has accused the united states of being at the forefront of a coup attempt against his government. it comes after sunday's disputed and controversial presidential eleciton in venezuela. president nicolas maduro claimed victory for a third term, but the opposition have accused him of electoralfraud and the united states says there's overwhelmeing evidence the opposition won the poll. more than 1,000 people have been arrested in anti—government protests since the result was announced. the opposition has said its heaquarters were invaded by unknown men in the early hours of thursday. from caracas, here's our south america correspondent ione wells. ido i do apologise. we do not have a clip and lets move on and get some reactions to the announcement then to that nicolas madura has won a third term. the announcement of

nicolas madura's victory set off some protests in caracas which has drawn in international criticism from governments around the world asking for proof of the result. this improves brazil, canada, chile, colombia, european union, mexico, panama, uk. argentina and uruguay have joined peru and the united states in recognising venezuela's opposition candidate as the president—elect. only china, iran and russia have recongnised president maduro as the legitimate winner of the election. jesus armas as a campaign organiser for maria corina machado. thank you forjoining me. what you make of the us recognising the opposition leader? it make of the us recognising the opposition leader?— make of the us recognising the opposition leader? it was said that this election _

opposition leader? it was said that this election did _ opposition leader? it was said that this election did not _ opposition leader? it was said that this election did not meet - this election did not meet international standards and cannot be considered... they pulled out their observers to avoid them being arrested by venezuelans. nicolas madura didn't even try to hide the fact that he... the election. he stopped counting the votes and issue the results... it is a gigantic fraud. ., ., , , , the results... it is a gigantic fraud. . ., , , , ,, fraud. so what happens next? the us does not have — fraud. so what happens next? the us does not have much _ fraud. so what happens next? the us does not have much sway _ fraud. so what happens next? the us does not have much sway over- fraud. so what happens next? the usj does not have much sway over venice whether? the does not have much sway over venice whether? ., , ., whether? the idea is to isolate nicolas madura _ whether? the idea is to isolate nicolas madura and _ whether? the idea is to isolate nicolas madura and to - whether? the idea is to isolate nicolas madura and to make i whether? the idea is to isolate nicolas madura and to make it| whether? the idea is to isolate - nicolas madura and to make it clear that everyone knows that he is not the regiment president of venezuela. i am sure that we will increase sanctions and hopefully others will. i think it is key that mexico, colombia and most importantly, brazil, urged nicolas madura to release the results, polling station

by polling station. they can add them up and see how they got to the number they made up. oh we have been here before with this president, haven't we? before was another... what you think will be different next at this time? first of all, democracy and diplomacy would much whether wage peace and war. —— rather wage peace than war. they were aiming at a domestic us audience... diplomacy is hard. you have to work at it. it takes time and there is no guarantee of success. but we are doing, the united states, is working with our

allies to increase the pressure on nicolas madura and isolation on him. i think brazil is going to be key in latin america, it is what many selectors they must about. your thou . hts selectors they must about. your thoughts on _ selectors they must about. your thoughts on the _ selectors they must about. your thoughts on the pressure - selectors they must about. your thoughts on the pressure that can be exerted! i understand that their protest planned for tomorrow. nicolas madura said that he is going to put people in high security prisons. clearly he is learning his techniques from the cubans. these people are brave. we, in the united states and democratic countries around the world, take for granted how easy it is to go vote. it takes courage to vote in and takes more courage to vote in and takes more courage to vote in and takes more courage to be an election observer for the opposition party. it takes even more courage to lead campaigns.

that is what these people are doing. they are brave and they need our support. they are brave and they need our su ort. . ~' ,, they are brave and they need our su--ort. . ~' , they are brave and they need our su--ort. . ~ , . ., support. thank you very much for our support. thank you very much for your thoughts _ support. thank you very much for your thoughts today, _ support. thank you very much for your thoughts today, charles - your thoughts today, charles shapiro, us ambassador to venezuela. a senior north korean government official who recently defected has told the bbc that north korea is hoping donald trump becomes president, so it can restart negotiations with the united states. ri il kyu is the highest—ranking person to defect from the regime in eight years. he was working as a diplomat in cuba when he fled with his family to south korea at the end of last year. in his first interview with an international news broadcaster, he's been speaking to our seoul correspondentjean mackenzie. for this north korean elite, turning his back on the regime was a life or death gamble. ri il kyu raced to the airport in the middle of the night, giving his familyjust six hours notice, sick with fear about what would happen if they were caught.

translation: either i would have been executed or sent _ to a political prison camp for life. i could accept my own death, but the fear of my family being killed was overwhelming. the most high—ranking person to escape north korea in eight years, he has a rare insight into what the most secretive state wants. despite kimjong—un�*s recent dalliance with vladimir putin, the former diplomat says north korea's ultimate goal is to cut a deal with the us. applause for that, it is hoping to see donald trump back in the white house. translation: if trump is elected, this would truly be a once - in a thousand year opportunity for north korea, they believe they can negotiate with him and use the personalfriendship between mr trump and mr kim

to their advantage. at a recent rally, the presidential hopeful said he too wanted to reignite this friendship. when we get back, i get along with him, he would like to see me back too, i think he misses me if you want to know the truth. while talks between kim and trump collapsed in 2019, ri il kyu says diplomats hope to convince trump to lift sanctions in return for freezing their nuclear weapons programme. you have met kim jong—un seven times. what is he like? translation: the kim jong-un i met was a ordinary human being, - but turning him into god has made him a monster. he would do anything for the survival of his regime, he would kill all 25 million north koreans. the systems of control mr kim has created are now so fierce,

it will be impossible to topple this brutal dictatorship, he believes. change must be pushed slowly, persistently, from outside and from within. jean mackenzie, bbc news, seoul. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

now here is a sentence i didn't think i would be saying today... 10,000 pairs of underwear which were used in charli xcx and billie eilish's latest music video have been donated to charity. guess, a remix of the brat original, dropped on thursday night and showed billie smashing into a party on a bulldozer surrounded by thousands of pieces of underwear. during the video's credits, a message appears saying all the unworn garments would be donated to the nonprofit i support the girls.

let take a look at the video. music plays now, you might think that the pile of underwear shown in the music video was cgi. but, in fact, it was actually 10,000 pairs of underwear, that were then donated to the charity. inspired by the music video, they posted a video to tiktok to commemorate the moment. # you want to buy it share, pack it, ship it, pull it, wear them, donate them, send them here. ..# joining me now is founder and executive director of i support the girls, dana marlowe. this is quite a fascinating story. tell us how you got involved and how you ended up with this mountain of underwear! . ., ~ , ., underwear! that evening, thank you so much for— underwear! that evening, thank you so much for having _ underwear! that evening, thank you so much for having me _ underwear! that evening, thank you so much for having me on. - underwear! that evening, thank you so much for having me on. this - so much for having me on. this absolutely blew my mind. we are so,

incredibly grateful for the generosity of the two. they reached out to us because this is what our nonprofit does — collect and donate new bras, underwear and donate them out to homeless shelters, refugee agencies, low income public schools to bring them dignity. this is right in line with what we do. tell! to bring them dignity. this is right in line with what we do.— in line with what we do. tell us a bit more about _ in line with what we do. tell us a bit more about the _ in line with what we do. tell us a bit more about the need - in line with what we do. tell us a bit more about the need for- in line with what we do. tell us a | bit more about the need for all of this underwear. it is not something that comes to many people's mines. how big of an issue as a? you that comes to many people's mines. how big of an issue as a?— how big of an issue as a? you hit the nail on _ how big of an issue as a? you hit the nail on head. _ how big of an issue as a? you hit the nail on head. because - how big of an issue as a? you hit the nail on head. because of- how big of an issue as a? you hit| the nail on head. because of that, bras and underwear are often the highest needed clothing item but least frequently donated to homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters and domestic violence shelters and domestic violence shelters and the like. because of that, the demand for them is very high and it is also very personal item. so we are incredibly

grateful... that is a bra... it is going to help so many people. what going to help so many people. what measures would _ going to help so many people. what measures would you _ going to help so many people. what measures would you have to those out there who are not aware of this charity about what you have done with this two pastors? this charity about what you have done with this two pastors?— with this two pastors? as part of their -- these — with this two pastors? as part of their -- these two _ with this two pastors? as part of their -- these two pop _ with this two pastors? as part of their -- these two pop stars. - with this two pastors? as part ofj their -- these two pop stars. we are all about you — their -- these two pop stars. we are all about you do _ their -- these two pop stars. we are all about you do you. _ their -- these two pop stars. we are all about you do you. even _ their -- these two pop stars. we are all about you do you. even these - all about you do you. even these incredibly sexy pieces of undergarments are going to bring so much dignity to so many people because sometimes the small things are really big things. raising awareness about white folks in impoverished situations need is always important and valuable. —— about what folks. the messages also very powerful. there is a lot of folks that are unfortunately forgotten about and when you peel back the next mayor, what else is

forgotten is what is under those close and undergarments. it is about self—esteem and dignity for so many people. it is going to be so much confidence. people. it is going to be so much confidence-— people. it is going to be so much confidence. ., ~ , ., . confidence. thank you so much, we will leave it — confidence. thank you so much, we will leave it on _ confidence. thank you so much, we will leave it on those _ confidence. thank you so much, we will leave it on those words. - confidence. thank you so much, we will leave it on those words. i - will leave it on those words. i support the words founder —— i support the girls. after months of planning the world's biggest annual arts festival, the edinburgh festival fringe, has opened in the scottish capital. the theme of this years festival is rituals that unite us. artists from 58 countries are bring represented with over 52,000 performances taking place throughout august. let's welcome broadcaster and critic catrina rose, who joins us from the heart of it all in edinburgh. great to have you on. the theme of the event, rituals that unite, tell

us what we can expect. i the event, rituals that unite, tell us what we can expect.— the event, rituals that unite, tell us what we can expect. i think it is a brilliant theme _ us what we can expect. i think it is a brilliant theme for _ us what we can expect. i think it is a brilliant theme for this _ us what we can expect. i think it is a brilliant theme for this year's - a brilliant theme for this year's festival and with the festival tries to do it years unite everyone. this has been the world's biggest arts festival and we draw people from all over. there is not a nationality i don't bump into. so you can see, over 52,000 performances. don't bump into. so you can see, over52,000 performances. i don't bump into. so you can see, over 52,000 performances. ithink 7500 of them are free. it is a real great opportunity for those coming here to see stuff and be united in the art and culture.— the art and culture. these performances _ the art and culture. these performances are - the art and culture. these performances are a - the art and culture. these i performances are a stand-up the art and culture. these _ performances are a stand-up comedy, performances are a stand—up comedy, theatre, dance, everything! there is nothing that surprises me about the edinburgh festival any more. ifeel like i have seen it all and every year surprises me.— like i have seen it all and every year surprises me. there are many comedians — year surprises me. there are many comedians who _ year surprises me. there are many comedians who are _ year surprises me. there are many

comedians who are returning... . year surprises me. there are many i comedians who are returning... there are a few one to ones, we are hearing about her relationship with charles dickens. another show i saw today was jake roach. it was brilliant and it highlights the trials and relations... everyone will remember the willy wonka glasgow fiasco. they have turned that into a fringe show with an actor from the 1971 film. there that into a fringe show with an actorfrom the 1971 film. there is nothing you cannot see here. that actor from the 1971 film. there is nothing you cannot see here. that is remarkable- — nothing you cannot see here. that is remarkable. there _ nothing you cannot see here. that is remarkable. there are _ nothing you cannot see here. that is remarkable. there are 58 _ nothing you cannot see here. that is remarkable. there are 58 countries. remarkable. there are 58 countries that are being represented. tell us about some of the lesser—known countries that are taking part in the acts that will be doing, give them some good exposure. i the acts that will be doing, give them some good exposure. i think it is hard to pinpoint _ them some good exposure. i think it is hard to pinpoint and _ them some good exposure. i think it is hard to pinpoint and pick - them some good exposure. i think it is hard to pinpoint and pick a - them some good exposure. i think it is hard to pinpoint and pick a view i is hard to pinpoint and pick a view because, as you said, there are

52,000 people here. i would be doing myself a disservice if i didn't highlight the brilliant stuff made in scotland. there is a programme that comes over and some are done in partnership with new zealand which obviously isn't smart, but there is a brilliant piece at the international festival, it a brilliant piece at the internationalfestival, it is a brilliant piece at the international festival, it is the international festival, it is the international festival, it is the international festival as well as the film festival, art festival, there are so much going on. there a billion p skullcap that hamlet, which has —— there is a brilliant piece that is called hamlet. it is from the perspectives of actors with down's syndrome. it is absolutely stunning. down's syndrome. it is absolutely stunninu. ~ ., down's syndrome. it is absolutely stunninu. . ., ., down's syndrome. it is absolutely stunninu. ~ ., . . stunning. way to have so much inclusivity _ stunning. way to have so much inclusivity at — stunning. way to have so much inclusivity at the _ stunning. way to have so much inclusivity at the fringe - stunning. way to have so much | inclusivity at the fringe festival. when people come to watch all of the shows, how far are where they coming from? this is such a world event, is in a? ., , , ., from? this is such a world event, is ina? ., _ ., ._ in a? honestly, i have met so many --eole in a? honestly, i have met so many people from — in a? honestly, i have met so many

people from all— in a? honestly, i have met so many people from all over. _ in a? honestly, i have met so many people from all over. i _ in a? honestly, i have met so many people from all over. i think - in a? honestly, i have met so many people from all over. i think what i people from all over. i think what draws them to here is that they meet people who are like themselves. i know from speaking to people today there is a brilliant comedian who is 81 years old and he is from scotland and he is making his friends they view at the age of 81. —— he is meeting his bat fringe debut. he said he wanted to be a stand—up comedian... age isjust a number and i am here to make my fringe review. so we are seeing people from all of the world and different stages of their life. it is very inspirational and it is the place to be.- their life. it is very inspirational and it is the place to be. what a lace to and it is the place to be. what a place to explore _ and it is the place to be. what a place to explore new _ and it is the place to be. what a i place to explore new talent. thank you very much for speaking to us. stay with us here on bbc news.

let's look back at the thunderstorms that have come. they brought 35 metres of rain injust that have come. they brought 35 metres of rain in just one hour. that have come. they brought 35 metres of rain injust one hour. the result of dampers that intense, and the heaviest isar a year, where some flooding in guildford and elsewhere in surrey, hampshire and oxfordshire as well. we have a weak weather front pushing itself eastwards. there will be a bit of rain which will be increasingly light and patchy. fresh air gets into scotland and northern ireland as the rain moves out of the way and clear skies follows. more comfortable

conditions rain through east anglia and south—east england. a few showers working into the afternoon across parts of scotland and northern ireland. temperatures near average for this time of year, but feeling a lot less humid crust eastern england —— a lot less humid across eastern england. rain tin scotland and northern ireland will be feeling windy. some bright and sunny spells coming through the cloud. temperatures in the high teens to the low 20s. that weather front across the north—west of uk is particularly slow moving. it is going to take a couple of days to cross the uk and because it is so slow—moving, we see those rainfall totals build—up, especially in parts of western scotland where we may see some flooding into monday. there is

monday's chart. rain in northern ireland and scotland, heavy in western scotland with risk of flooding. england and wales, dry weather. in the east increasingly sunny and humid. warm, if not hot. temperatures could hit 27 celsius in norwich. once the rain has pushed its way eastwards and cleared, we are looking at a number of showers for the rest of the week especially across north—western areas.

hello, i'm steve lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. i was certain i was going to die input and's prison. i was certain i was going to die in putin's prison. i did not believe i would ever see my wife again. i did not believe i would ever see my family again. this feels really surreal. this feels like a film. i must confess that there are other comrades in prison left. there are over 1,000 political prisoners — including those who should have been sitting at the table instead of me. this was a good day. for president biden — he hasn't had many lately. and an even better. day for the families. while moscow is getting back agents and spies and a hit man, out of russian jail estimate going the other way, dissidents, journalists and an artist. quite a contrast.