this is bbc news, i'm ben bland. our top stories: the final phase of the battle for raqqa, the last stronghold of so—called islamic state in syria. we have an exclusive report. this is the centre of raqqa, the very heart, if you like, of the islamic state. naim roundabout is about a few hundred metres away from here. locals call it the circle of hell. saudi arabia is set to lift the ban on women driving, but is the country really on the road to equality? a party atmosphere and a strong police presence. russia attempts to strike the right balance ahead of next summer's world cup. keeping the french economy moving. emmanuel macron‘s government lay out its first budget, but will it bring prosperity to all? doubling up the little bird.

twitter rolls out an increase in the length of its messages, but will help the company finally post a profit? hello and welcome to bbc news. first, an exclusive report on the final stages of the battle for the syrian city of raqqa, last major stronghold of the extremist group the so—called islamic state. the current offensive by arab and kurdish fighters, with american and british support, started in june. then, is controlled most of raqqa. now, only a few hundred militants hold the centre of the city. the bbc is the only broadcaster to gain access to it. our middle east correspondent quentin sommerville and cameraman darren conway sent this. you may find some of the images distressing. this is a war of annihilation, says the united states.

raqqa is the battleground, and the victim. these are western coalition bombs, targeting the fighters of the so—called islamic state. more than 5,000 hit raqqa last month alone. an entire city has become a no—man‘s—land. mile after mile, there is no life, no people. for years, is terrorised and controlled these streets. now, hundreds of those who called raqqa home have been killed by coalition bombs meant to free them. the us—led mission disputes the figure, and says that this is the most precise bombing campaign in history. they may be young, and their army new, but the men of the kurdish—led syrian democratic forces are winning.

is promised a new empire would grow here. instead, the corpses of its fighters fill the gutters. first mosul, now raqqa — the caliphate is already dead. nearby, another corpse rots, likely caused by a drone strike. the threat here is from snipers. a pause too long, or a misstep, and this female fighter would have lost her head. instead, the shot hits the wall to the right. the danger lies around corners, and in raqqa's shadows. is rarely come out and attack. they hide and wait. there are is fighters hiding near a mosque. the kurds throw everything they have at the gunmen. is return fire. all this to take just half a mile of road.

gunfire. when all else fails, an air strike on the is position. it might have done the trick. we wait for the all—clear. the instructions are simple. run that way, and be quick. but, as i get to the end of the street, it is clear the sniper is still there. he fires at us, but misses. the shots ricochet off the wall by the camera. oh, it hit right there! the deeper into the city, the greater the danger.

it is an improvised war. here, arab fighters have salvaged an is armoured car. like a prehistoric beast, it rumbles through a ruined landscape. commander abu abdo knows that snipers only need a tiny window of opportunity. even in captured ground, there is always the risk that is will appear from behind. they have dug tunnels all over the city. the steel flanks of the armoured shield us through yet another sniper alley. there is a sniperjust around that corner, just at the end of the street. we have to be very careful here.

this is the centre of raqqa, the very heart, if you like, of the islamic state. naim roundabout is about a few hundred metres away from here. locals call it the circle of hell. for these fighters, it is critical territory to retake. but it is much more than that, because it is there that their friends were beheaded, and there they were crucified. when they take that territory, they say, they will cleanse raqqa of the islamic state. but, before the cleansing, more blood has to be spilt. one of the fighters has been shot. is control the rooftops, and our men are pinned down. there are almost in panic. they are desperate. their commrade is just out of reach. again an air strike is called in, and this time it works. finally, they can get to him.

he is rushed to a field hospital, but he doesn't survive. he was 21 years old. the fighters are exhausted, they've had too many days end like this. translation: we keep going. we will sacrifice our blood for our people inside, because they're having a tough time, a really tough time. yesterday daesh attacked us, with their men dressed as women, and there were big numbers, like 100. we thought they were civilians, and they also had children with them. and suddenly, the civilians and children went to the side of the road, and then they started to fire at us. in the six days we were inside raqqa, we didn't see a single civilian. thousands, though, are still trapped in is areas. raqqa, for them, is an iron—clad death trap. they would have to go through all of this to escape. it is not clear

who is friend orfoe. raqqa was the islamic state's syrian capital. now, it is a city fit for no—one. gunfire. quentin sommerville, bbc news, raqqa. and don't forget you can get much more detail about the battle for raqqa on the bbc website. you will also find more from quentin, including a 360—degree guide to the city. that is at bbc.com/news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news: thailand's highest court is due to hand down a delayed verdict against former prime minister yingluck shinawatra. 0fficials initially planned to announce their ruling last month, but ms yingluck reportedly fled to dubai. she faces up to ten years in prison if convicted of negligence over her involvement in a billion—dollar rice scheme. more than 75,000 people have been moved from their homes on the indonesian island of bali, as a volcano threatens to erupt. officials have set up a 12 km exclusion zone around mount agung. the volcano is on its highest alert level, as its seismic energy is increasing.

300 shelters have been opened to house people moved from their homes. voters in the us state of alabama have chosen a hard—line christian conservative to contest the state's vacant senate seat for the republicans, rejecting president trump's choice. the primary vote saw the former judge roy moore triumph over the establishment candidate, luther strange. the wife of one of britain's most notorious aristocrats, lord lucan, has been found dead at her home in london. lady lucan was 80 years old. police say the cause of her death is not suspicious. lord lucan disappeared in 1974 after murdering his children's nanny, apparently mistaking her for his wife. sally is here with a round—up of all the business news. we are starting with our focus on what is going on

in france today. reforming the spluttering french economy was one of the most important pillars of emmanuel macron‘s election campaign. today, his government gets the chance to flesh out some of those changes, with its first budget since he took charge of the world's sixth—biggest economy, and macron has a big task on his hands. france has a stubbornly high unemployment rate of 9.5%. that is double the rate of the other big european economies. but mr macron has vowed to cut it to 7% by 2022 so how will he do it? well, last week, new labour reform laws were signed off which give businesses increased flexibility when it comes to hiring and firing staff. during macron‘s campaign, he also pledged to cut public spending, and it is believed today's budget will outline how savings worth as much as $20 billion will be made. that will be crucial to bringing france nearer to the eurozone agreement that members‘ deficits, or the amount their national debt grows, should be no more than 3% of their economy. it is a rule france is expected to break for the tenth year in a row.

and the french president has promised to make the country more attractive to companies by reducing the corporation tax they pay on profits, from its current level of 33% to 25%%, over the next five years. we will have more in about 15 minutes‘ time. the social media platform twitter has launched a trial of longer messages, which it says will help users more easily express themselves. the limit for a message has been 140 characters,

but a small group of users will get twice that on a trial basis. twitter may be hoping it leads to increases the engagement and attention times of its users, as it struggles to grow user numbers and narrow its losses. we will be live in silicon valley to get one expert's opinion. 280 characters, is that right, for twitter? has yours been increased yet? are you one of the trial users? i understand yours hasn't. yet? are you one of the trial users? i understand yours hasn'tlj yet? are you one of the trial users? i understand yours hasn't. i started trying it but found i had run out of characters. women in saudi arabia will soon be allowed to drive for the first time. it is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving. the law will be changed nextjune. rights groups have been campaigning about the issue for years, with some women having been imprisoned for defying the rule. sarah corker reports.

for more than 25 years, women have campaigned for the right to drive in saudi arabia, and some have been imprisoned for daring to get behind the wheel. this decision ends the conservative islamic kingdom's status as the only country in the world where it is forbidden. the shock announcement was made at the un in new york on tuesday. a royal decree has been issued in saudi arabia, giving women the right to drive. this is a historic day for saudi society, for men and women. saudi arabia has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women and is known for its gender segregation rules. this decree, which risks riling religious conservatives, is part saudi arabia's reform drive, aimed at improving its global reputation. the us state department described

it as a positive sign. we're happy, we're certainly to hear that. if saudi women are now able to drive, certainly here in the united states, we would certainly welcome that. i think it's a great step in the right direction for the country. it follows a national celebration this weekend, where women were allowed into a sports stadium, previously male—only arena, to watch a concert for the first time. 0ne political analyst says allowing women to dry is another sign that the pace of social change is picking up. this has been for a long time a thorn in the side of the kingdom. that's why it's getting such limelight and positive coverage around the world, i think. although this was not the only issue on the un rights and women's rights agenda when it comes to saudi arabia. but yes, indeed, it's historic. the order should come into effect

by 2ajune next year. it has been described by campaigners as a real victory. a glorious day for women's rights. manal al—sharif was arrested in 2011 for driving in saudi arabia. she now lives in australia, and she joins us from sydney. good to see you. just tell me what happened to you, what effect it had on your life, that conviction. will the room and sent to jail? it was catastrophic. —— the day i drove and was sent to jail. my life was not the same after that. i was targeted by a campaign that shared me. i lost myjob. i lost my child custody. i had to leave my country, eventually. i was harassed so much, especially me family, my mother, and my father. my father was in a mosque

hearing and imam call me a horse. but it wasn't a mistake. it was challenging unjust laws. that is a mistake. those unjust laws of the mistake. those unjust laws of the mistake. how did you feel when there had been the decision banning you from driving? i cried. it was bbc breaking news on my home screen at 5am here in sydney and at which, it has been 27 years, and i was reading this november seven movement book. it took 27 years until thejune 17, 2011 leaders, movement, which is a leader, and i was sent to jail. and the campaign did not stop. the nasties, in 2017, my book came, and

it took so long. and now i know why it took so long. and now i know why it took so many years for my book to come to me this year, because i think it wasjust come to me this year, because i think it was just meant to come in 2017, to witness this historic day, september 20 six. manal, some will see the scrapping of the ban as a first step in saudi arabia. what you think the next step should be?” think the next step should be?” think the next step should be?” think the woman driving, the ban on women driving, was a dark. 0n think the woman driving, the ban on women driving, was a dark. on our nation as the last nation to allow this, and we were treated like miners. the first step is to abolish the male guardianship, but driving was the symbol of defiance, with the

simple act of civil disobedience. the flexible delivery unions. i cannot walk topless on the street, but this is what we did. not only that, when you live in a country with no public is and no pedestrian streets, the only way of transferring patient from point a to be isa transferring patient from point a to be is a car. —— migratory. i don't like driving cars, but it is necessary for women to be part of the economy. we need to leave it there. thank you very much for joining us from sydney. you're watching bbc news. stay with us, if you can. still to come: 0ur moscow correspondent steve rosenberg has been to a russian snooker hall to try to explain how the kremlin may have miscued.

ben johnson, the fastest man on earth, is flying home to canada in disgrace. all the athletes should be clean going into the games. i'm just happy that justice is served. it is a simple fact that this morning, these people were in their homes. tonight, those homes have been burnt down by serbian soldiers and police. all the taliban positions along here have been strengthened, presumably in case the americans invade. it's no use having a secret service which cannot preserve its own secrets against the world. and so the british government has no option but to continue this action, and even after any adverse judgement in australia. concorde had crossed the atlantic faster than any plane ever before, breaking the record by six minutes. this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: the battle for the syrian city of raqqa — the last major stronghold of so—called islamic state — is entering its final phase. just a few hundred is fighters are holding the centre of the city. the king of saudi arabia has issued an order allowing women to drive for the first time. some say that politics is like sport — to come out on top, you need good tactics, and the perfect game plan. well, when it comes to playing geopolitics, vladimir putin has plenty of experience. but, with relations between russia and america at a new low, has he misread the game? 0ur moscow correspondent steve rosenberg has been to a russian snooker hall to try to explain how the kremlin may have miscued. donald trump was russia's big break.

also it thought. when pro—russia trump entered the gate, the kremlin believed its problems would disappear, one by one. sanctions would go, so would nato troops from russia's borders. it was a long shot, but perhaps the white house would even recognise crimea as part of russia. but if the russians thought they would have the run of the balls, they misjudged things. 0n the balls, they misjudged things. 0n the geopolitical pool table, play has not gone the kremlin‘s way. sanctions, nato troops, they are still all there. and right now, vladimir putin looks well and truly snookered. if russia was playing on donald trump's came, that strategy may have backfired, with the investigation in america in full swing and suspicion of russia at an

all—time high. donald trump is not ina all—time high. donald trump is not in a position to make concessions to russia. in fact, in a position to make concessions to russia. infact, congress in a position to make concessions to russia. in fact, congress would let him is sanctions without their say so. him is sanctions without their say so. he is stuck to. politically, donald trump's has tied. and this does make scoring rather tricky. and this has a knock—on effect for the kremlin. things have gone askew for vladimir putin. us russian relations have reached a new low, with expulsions of diplomats, and the shutting down of dramatic buildings. mind you, after 17 years at the table, in power in russia, the one thing that vladimir putin has plenty of his experience. we have seen before that just when you of his experience. we have seen before thatjust when you think he is boxed in for good, the kremlin leader somehow finds a way to come out on top. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. so a draw for liverpool

but the match had far more significance for the local authorities. it's one of two champions league games in the russian capital this week. and that means the authorities are hoping to prove they are ready for the world cup next summer as a large contingent of foreign supporters mingle with locals. 0ur moscow correspondent sarah rainsford reports liverpool band made for red square. it is just liverpool band made for red square. it isjust time liverpool band made for red square. it is just time for russia, as it gears up it is just time for russia, as it gears up to host the world cup. this is what it is anxious to avoid: russian football hooligans fought pitched street battles in france last year at the european championship. so some liverpool fans don't mind admitting that they were nervous about coming here. we have all seen the way the russians betray themselves as being fit, fighting men. it is a little bit scary, so you know, you bear that in mind. english fans have been advised to keep a low profile in moscow, and

avoid tim pallas. they are not quite sticking to that. meanwhile, the football union he has warned that any fans causing trouble won't enjoy their stake in any fans causing trouble won't enjoy theirstake ina any fans causing trouble won't enjoy their stake in a russianjail. any fans causing trouble won't enjoy their stake in a russian jail. they are old school hooligans. we will see what happens at night. what happens is this: security on the way m, happens is this: security on the way in, and plenty of police. the stadium is one of the key world cup venues, stadium is one of the key world cup venues, so stadium is one of the key world cup venues, so big matches like this are good practice. the two matches here this week are not for the clubs involved, they also important for russia. after the violence in france last year, it knows that it has an image problem, and with the world cupjust months image problem, and with the world cup just months away, russia was these games to go off without any trouble, to prove this is a safe place for travelling fans. that is the message they were handing out on

teachers to liverpool supporters. labelling russians as gentle fans, and nothing to worry about. everything is under control, because, i do know, there are is a lot of security and big guys, so... the russians bent over backwards to keep the mood festive, and the match itself ended without incident. the police were taking any chances, though. this was the escort for liverpool fans back to the metro. manchester united will get the same. russia is happy to look heavy—handed on security, rather than risk any trouble here. don't forget you can reach me on twitter. i'm @benmbland. still with 1110 still with 140 characters. drivers for more news shortly. goodbye. —— join us for more news. good morning.

yet again, if you had some sunshine yesterday you probably had some warmth, and in fact in the london area we saw highs of 22 degrees, with some sunny spells. the first front movie and can be seen the first front movie and can be seen clearly on this pressure shut moving into northern ireland during the day today. we start off a little bit misty and murky across eastern areas, but that is where the best of the sunshine will be. and still somewhat fair. but still some wet and windy weather pushing into northern ireland, eventually western fringes of wales and west of england. in the south—east, you will see the best of the sunshine and walks, today. maybe low 20s not out of the question, yet again. but there will be some rain into south—west of england, western fringes of wales. brighter for east wales. northern england, bright and right, with rain heavy in northern ireland. it will brush with the

fringes of western scotland by the end of the afternoon. hide here of about 14—17d. as we go through the evening, that wet, windy weather will push its way eastwards, moving ata will push its way eastwards, moving at a pace, but to me that rain heavy free time. it will clear towards dawn on thursday morning. behind it, we could see some mist and fog forming. the favourite spots that will be wales in south—west england. sun will be dense and slow to move away. again, it looks like we will see that rain easing away. some sunny spells coming through, and not a bad day during daylight hours for many of us on thursday. top temperatures will be about 14—20d. the size of more wet and windy weather pushing in on friday. the reason why we will start to see these pretty unsettled is because a plunge of cold air coming out of north america, meeting this very warm west air that is in the caribbean at the moment, and that is really going to reinvigorate the jet stream. a fast moving gesture in

which pushes areas of low pressure right across the uk over the next few days. you can see how tightly packed the isobars. bull's—eye low pressure moving in. it will be windy, with gales of exposed coast, and some rain moving its way from west to east through friday and feeling just that little bit fresher. into the weekend, not much change. sunshine and showers for saturday, staying wet and windy for sunday. this is bbc world news. the headlines: the battle for the syrian city of raqqa, last major stronghold of the extremists who call themselves islamic state, is entering its final phase. just a few hundred is fighters are left holding the centre of the city. king salman of saudi arabia has issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time. the order is due to come into force next june, following years of campaigning. saudi arabia has been the only country in the world that does not

permit women to drive. president trump has been dealt a major blow, after his choice to contest a vacant senate seat for the republicans in alabama lost the primary runoff vote. luther strange was beaten by hard—line christian conservative roy moore. an active volcano on the holiday island of bali has entered