welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... easing the global food crisis: the first shipment of grain since the russian invasion leaves the ukranian port of odesa. a warning to the world: the un says we face a greater threat of nuclear annihilation than at any time since the cold war. one of america's top lawmakers, nancy pelosi, could reportedly visit taiwan on tuesday — putting further strains on relations with china. and as england's lionesses celebrate winning the euros 2022, we'll talk to gurinder chadha, director of the classic celebration of women's football

bend it like beckham. now look — my god, we did it! cheering live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. it's 6am in singapore, and 1am in kyiv — where the first shipment of grain since the russian invasion of ukraine in february has left the southern port of odesa. the ship, the razoni, has left ukrainian waters and is making its way south on the black sea, carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn. it will be inspected off the coast of istanbul by un—organised co—ordinators who are managing

the movement of vessels out of ukraine. then it will make its way out of the bosphorous strait and through the mediterranean, finally arriving in the port of tripoli in northern lebanon, in about a week's time. the shipment is part of efforts to ease a growing global food crisis. 0ur correspondent james waterhouse sent this report from 0desa. a familiar yet unfamiliar sight. for the first time in a long time a major artery is unblocked. and a ship, which could save millions from hunger, moving slowly into hostile waters. the razoni, the first grain vessel to leave ukraine since 2a february, making its way out to lebanon, via istanbul, as with all the ships in this agreement, and the hope is that it will be the first of many in a route that will allow vessels in and out in what is still an active war zone. ukraine was seen as the world's

bread basket before this war. five million tonnes of farm produce left its ports every month. the closure of the black sea has forced it to use other routes, reducing exports by more than two thirds. some of the world's poorest countries, with many in africa, are ukraine's biggest grain customers. it's a crisis which affects those far as well as near. i met shota — his company stores and exports grain all over the world. exporting the grain harvest is of vital importance. our country gathers harvest to supply many parts of the world. we must export for our farmers, for our country and to feed the world. despite little to no trust between ukraine and russia, necessity seems to be driving this deal. notjust for the government, but for the crews who have been out of work since february. "we work in waters all over the world," alexander tells me.

"we deal with pirates and other difficulties of the sea. ukrainian sailors are not frightened by mines or other challenges." and this route is heavily mined, and there is the risk of russian interference. a point i've put to the port authorities here. how safe you think this route is? it's difficult to say. less than 50% i think. and yet you're willing, your staff are willing and the shipping companies are willing to push through it. yeah, for sure because we agreed with the united nations and with turkey. i think they will warrant their safe passage for the vessel. the hope is that the razoni will be the first of many ships to make this journey in the coming days. for now, this is more symbolic than sizeable, but it's a start. james waterhouse, bbc news in 0desa.

lots more on this story on our website — where you can see a map following the razoni's route online, and read an in—depth report from james waterhouse in 0desa, who has been reporting on this story for us. that's on bbc.com/news — or simply download the bbc news app. breaking news from the us, because us media is reporting an american counterterrorism operation in afghanistan has killed the al-qaeda leader. reports say he was killed in a drone strike carried out by the cia in the afghan capital of kabul on saturday. there's no independent confirmation of this yet, but the white house has said that president biden will give details of the operation in afghanistan in the next few hours — we will be sure to bring that information and that press conference to you as and when we get

it, so do stay tuned to us for that breaking story. turning now to a stark warning from the united nations secretary general antonio gutteres — who says the world is facing a nuclear danger not seen since the height of the cold war. he was speaking at a key nuclear nonproliferation meeting in new york. mr guterres also said a unified approach to limiting nuclear weapons was more important than ever given the heightened tensions around the world. we have been extraordinarily lucky so far — but luck is not a strategy. nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict. today, humanity'sjust one misunderstanding or miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation. we need a treaty of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons as much as ever. but reducing, or even eliminating, nuclear weapons globally seem even further off, with some conflicts such as ukraine raising concerns of their use.

to speak more about this, i'm joined by professor ramesh thakur, an expert on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation from the australian national university. it's great to get you on the programme, professor. ijust want to get your thoughts on that stark warning from the un secretary—general that we've just heard — where do you see the biggest risk or threat right now? good morning- _ risk or threat right now? good morning- i _ risk or threat right now? good morning. i think— risk or threat right now? good morning. i think the _ morning. i think the secretary—general is right, but i think he's pointing his finger at the wrong target. the biggest risk is not for the proliferation of the moment, it's the likelihood of use, whether by design or accident. and that's really what he's referring to. and for that purpose, it's not fit for purpose that's proven not fit for purpose that's proven not fit for purpose that's proven not fit for purpose.— fit for purpose that's proven not fit for purpose. fit for purpose that's proven not fit for --urose. ., fit for purpose. professor, when you sa the fit for purpose. professor, when you say the risk — fit for purpose. professor, when you say the risk is _ fit for purpose. professor, when you say the risk is coming _ fit for purpose. professor, when you say the risk is coming from - fit for purpose. professor, when you say the risk is coming from that - say the risk is coming from that particular area, say the risk is coming from that particulararea, can say the risk is coming from that particular area, can you elaborate a bit further with regards to where you see the conflicts in the world that could potentially lead to such

a threat? ,, �* ., a threat? sure - we've got nine wea ons a threat? sure - we've got nine weapons possessing _ a threat? sure - we've got nine weapons possessing nuclear. a threat? sure - we've got nine - weapons possessing nuclear weapons. geopolitical tensions have increased over the last few years in europe, particularly around ukraine, in the middle east, and southern asia we've had conflicts within the last few years separately between india and pakistan, and india and china. and the perennial korean peninsula i've been on top of that now, arising tensions in the south china sea. all of these involve existing nuclear arms stakes, and all of them, well, most of them show high—risk signs of actual con sticks —— conflict. indeed, just to look back at the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, it was designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to countries. how far along are we on that goal, given what you'vejust far along are we on that goal, given what you've just described? it had

what you've 'ust described? it had three main — what you've just described? it had three main goals. _ what you've just described? it had three main goals. one _ what you've just described? it had three main goals. one was - what you've just described? it had three main goals. one was to - what you've just described? it i—f. three main goals. one was to share in the nuclear energy and economic growth purposes, because we had a belief than that it would be very helpful. that was more or less achieved, now we have some doubts about the risks and dangers that comes with it. the second goal was nonproliferation — on that, they've proved very successful. there were reasonable grounds for fearing back then, but this time you'd have 30 countries or more with nuclear weapons. in fact, there are still only nine, stoves —— so still single digits. but where it's failed completely is overseeing discernment under article six of the treaty, to engage in good faith negotiations for nuclear disarmament. there was an advisory back in 1996—97 strengthening that by saying they have an obligation to engage and bring to a conclusion those negotiations. nothing has happened, and that's why the rest of the world

moved to the nuclear ban treaty signed at the un in 2017 and came into force last year.— into force last year. professor, thanks so _ into force last year. professor, thanks so much _ into force last year. professor, thanks so much for— into force last year. professor, thanks so much forjoining - into force last year. professor, thanks so much forjoining us i into force last year. professor, i thanks so much forjoining us on into force last year. professor, - thanks so much forjoining us on the programme with your thoughts. you're welcome. now to a story that's dominated headlines in asia this week — the speaker of the us house of representatives, nancy pelosi, is expected to visit taiwan as part of her tour of asia. that's according to several american and taiwanese media reports — although there is no official confirmation on this yet. china has warned of serious consequences if the trip to the self—ruled island goes ahead. last week, president xi jinping told president biden not to "play with fire". taiwan sits around 100 miles off the southeast coast of china, and is seen by beijing as a "breakaway province", that remains part of china. the us has formal diplomatic ties with china, and not taiwan — but there has been growing cooperation between washington and taipei which has angered china.

if the visit goes ahead, speaker pelosi would be the highest ranking us official to visit taiwan in 25 years. i spoke to our state department correspondent barbara plett usher, and asked her if washington officials had confirmed the trip. no, there isn't — and that's not a surprise because they haven't really confirmed the trip from the beginning since the reports began to emerge. it looks as if what we have now are leaks from within the taiwanese government — although the foreign ministry there is also not confirming that a visit is on. i mean, here the issue is that the congress is independent of the administration, so it's really up to nancy pelosi to do what she wants to do. and she has been advised by biden administration officials about the risks of this move, but they haven't publicly come out and said that she shouldn't do it. president biden recently said the military didn't think it was a good idea — but he stopped short of telling her not to go, he just doesn't think it's in his corner to be able to do that.

and at the weekend, one of his spokesmen said that if she does decide to go, the administration will support her in that, that the chinese rhetoric was unnecessary, that congressional visits had happened before. let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk... the contest to be the uk's prime minister has opened for voting, with conservative party members asked to choose between the former chancellor rishi sunak and the current foreign secretary, liz truss. the result is due in early september. team truss has on monday had a boost in the form of an endorsement from former leadership rival penny mordaunt. the court of appeal has refused the latest attempt by archie battersbee's parents to force doctors to continue his life support, ruling it shouldn't be continued past tuesday. the 12—year—old has been unconscious since april, when he was found unresponsive

at his home. more on the breaking news coming to us from the united states about the fact that us media is reporting that american counterterrorism operation in afghanistan that's killed the al-qaeda leader. we can cross live now to washington, speak to our correspondent naomi iqbal, who's been watching these latest of elements for us. i know the information is coming in fast and furious, but what can you tell us? that's right, at the moment these are just reports coming out of us media, that the us has killed the leader of al-qaeda, one of the world's most wanted terrorists, who oversaw the attacks on september 11, 2011, and replaced 0sama bin laden.

there are unconfirmed reports at the moment, but the us media has widely confirmed the maker reported that it has killed ayman al—zawahiri, including cbs. some background on ayman al—zawahiri, he escaped us forces in afghanistan back in 2001, his whereabouts have always been a mystery, he's long been a target for the us — at one point the us state department offered a reward of $25 million for any information leading directly to him. but as i stay at the moment, it's all unconfirmed. the us media is widely reporting that he has been killed, including a partner station cbs, but we are expected to find out much more, president biden is due to give remarks in about an hour and 15 minutes— and although the white house has said so far is that they'll be telling us about a successful counterterrorism operation. of course, as mr biden releases those remarks, we will be talking about it here on bbc world

news, getting more confirmation of those reports at some point. indeed, and i hoe those reports at some point. indeed, and i hope certainly _ those reports at some point. indeed, and i hope certainly we _ those reports at some point. indeed, and i hope certainly we will _ those reports at some point. indeed, and i hope certainly we will have - and i hope certainly we will have you back on to discuss that as and when it is confirmed. but while we still have you, i want to get a sense from you — i know you've covered this particular beat for a long time now, how significant would something like this be if indeed we are able to confirm it with president biden�*s comments later today? it’s president biden's comments later toda ? �* , �* ., today? it's huge. bear in mind, a man today? it's huge. bear in mind, ayman al-zawahiri _ today? it's huge. bear in mind, ayman al-zawahiri has - today? it's huge. bear in mind, ayman al-zawahiri has been i today? it's huge. bear in mind, | ayman al-zawahiri has been the ayman al—zawahiri has been the leader of al-qaeda since 0sama bin laden was killed in pakistan in 2011. as i mentioned before, he has someone in the us has wanted for a long time — he's only 70 years of age, he's been a very visible international symbol of the group. at one point it's believed he even acted as bin laden�*s personal physician. if it is in fact him, it's a cute moment for president biden, and in terms of the

counterterrorism operation they've been carrying out for many years, we still don't know 100% that it is this person, but we will find out when president biden delivers his remarks in about an hour's time. thank you so much forjoining us with that latest information, and certainly will be able to confirm that when we hear from president biden injust an hour's that when we hear from president biden in just an hour's time, that when we hear from president biden injust an hour's time, so stay tuned to bbc news for developers on that story. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... i cannot believe how i'm seeing this! film director and football fanatic gurinder chadha gives us her reaction to the england women's euros 2022 victory. the question was whether we want

to save our people and the japanese, as well, and win the war — or whether we want to take a chance on being able to win the war by killing all our young men. the invasion began at 2am this morning. mr bush, like most people, was clearly caught by surprise. we call for the immediate i and unconditional withdrawal of all iraqi forces. 100 years old and still full of vigour, vitality, and enjoyment of life. no other king or queen in british history has lived so long — and the queen mother is said to be quietly very pleased indeed that she's achieved this landmark anniversary. this is a pivotal moment for the church as an international movement. the question now is whether the american vote will lead to a split in the anglican community.

this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. 0ur headlines... after russia's blockade, a first shipment of ukrainian grain leaves port, six months, since the invasion. reports from the us suggest that a prominent al-qaeda leader, ayman al—zawahiri, may have been killed in al—zawahiri, may have been killed in a drone strike on kabul. a statement is expected shortly from the white house. let's turn to pakistan — where prime minister shehbaz sharif is visiting the south western province of balochistan, to oversee flood relief operations. province of balochistan, flood victims have said they are not receiving any food or water, after the area was hit badly by recent heavy monsoon rains. almost 140 people have died there sincejune, and there has also been damage to local roads and infrastructure. 0ur reporter saher balorch has been to the area and has the latest. i'm on a street in the outskirts of quetta, where heavy rains

destroyed many homes. recent rains have caused havoc across balochistan, where weak infrastructure continues to be a challenge in remains inaccessible to authorities and media outlets. the met office has forecasted more rains in the coming days — for which the province does not seem prepared. balochistan is one of the least—developed parts of pakistan, where conductivity through roads and through mobile networks has long been an issue. the government recently came into action and sent rescue teams to those stranded, but there are complaints that it was still unable to reach many of the women and children stranded in other far—flung parts of the province. air operations were started, as well, but their access has been limited due to heavy winds. just a few weeks ago, whether in most of the flood affected areas was around 45 celsius — but it drops to 27 celsius and goes even lower during the night. as a result, hundreds of people

are spending their nights out in the open near their flooded and caved—in homes. the government has sped up the rescue and relief process, but the situation on the ground is likely to worsen in the coming days. saher baloch, bbc news, balochistan. let's turn to something more light—hearted now — that is, the tidalwave of celebrations across the uk after england's win in the women's euro's, which culminated in the last few hours in trafalgar square. queen elizabeth has led tributes to england's win, describing it as "inspirational". thousands of fans gathered to see the team — and the manager — a massive party that hasn't stopped, since the lionesses beat germany at wembley. these scenes — matching those inside the stadium — went on for hours, as the team and the fans enjoyed every second of that victory. football bosses hope, the success of the tournament — will "turbo charge" the women's game in this country and globally. this the moment when substitute, chloe kelly, stabbed home the winning goal in extra time.

cue pandamonium in the stadium. a record number of fans had packed into wembley to see history being made. the players say they've been unable to stop partying and dancing in the last 2a hours. they're not lying — this is what happened when the manager was giving a press conference after the match. # football's coming home! let's talk about the sport, shall we — and someone who was watching the euros final very closely indeed was gurinder chadha, director of the 2002 film bend it like beckham. 0ne one of my favourites, i have to admit. the movie followed the lives of two young amateur female football players — a story ms chadha says she "struggled to get anyone interested in making a film about". but, she said on twitter, "now the world is watching the game! so proud." take a listen to this clip ms chadha posted on social media, just after the lionesses secured their euros victory on sunday.

historic moment for england, for women's football! i cannot believe i'm seeing this, this is amazing! all those years ago, i struggled with so many people who kept rejecting bend it like beckham, saying, "no—one wants to watch a film about women and football, this is never going to work, it's not commercial" — and now look! my god, we did it! cheering and i'm joined now by gurinder chadha, live from los angeles. it's great to have you on the programme. a bit excited, weren't we? laughter definitely, that was straight after the win. i definitely, that was straight after the win. . ., , definitely, that was straight after the win. .. , definitely, that was straight after the win. , the win. i can see the 'oy coming throu~h the win. i can see the 'oy coming through the t the win. i can see the 'oy coming through the screen _ the win. i can see the joy coming through the screen there, - the win. i can see the joy coming through the screen there, it - the win. i can see the joy coming through the screen there, it was| through the screen there, it was wonderful. how meaningful is this victory for you? filth.

wonderful. how meaningful is this victory for you?— victory for you? oh, well it's an amazint victory for you? oh, well it's an amazing culmination, _ victory for you? oh, well it's an amazing culmination, really, i victory for you? oh, well it's an | amazing culmination, really, for victory for you? oh, well it's an - amazing culmination, really, for me and wanting to make a film 20 years ago that put the women's game on the map, you know, and made the world take it seriously, and wanting to show great powerful images of women playing soccer. you know, in a really cool way. and so many of the team, the lionesses and women around the world got into football from watching the film — so to see them when yesterday, and what a great game, it was nail—biting! the first goal was amazing, then when germany equalised, oh my god, the tension! so that last goal was really emotional. as you can see, i was so emotional. as you can see, i was so emotional. i emotional. as you can see, i was so emotional-— emotional. i 'ust want to pick up on what ou emotional. i just want to pick up on what you said. _ emotional. i just want to pick up on what you said, the _ emotional. i just want to pick up on what you said, the fact that - emotional. i just want to pick up on what you said, the fact that so - emotional. i just want to pick up on | what you said, the fact that so many of the players have said your film is an inspiration, and i think it was an inspiration for people who also don't play professional sport,

frankly — how difficult was it for you to make that film 20 years ago? well, no one wanted to know, really. it took me years — people just felt that... no one was interested in watching a film about girls playing football, particularly an indian girl playing football. no one could really understand it, theyjust felt it was too out there, to un—commercial, and even if it did wear, it would only work in england, not around the world. i mean, it has the amazing statistic of being the only film in the whole world that has been distributed in every single country in the world, including north korea. it's the only film that has that statistic. so to go from people saying "it'll never work" to thatis people saying "it'll never work" to that is testimony to the fact that a lot of people who fund movies don't know what they're talking about! but also, to the fact that it's a very

powerful thing, sports, you know, women playing sports — no one takes it seriously, but these are fantastic athletes that we watched during this whole tournament. and yesterday's game was amazing, and when it went into extra time, everything was tied. so yeah, what we got... everything was tied. so yeah, what we tot... �* everything was tied. so yeah, what we tot...�* , everything was tied. so yeah, what wetot...�* , , we got... i'm so sorry, i 'ust want to 'um- we got... i'm so sorry, i 'ust want to jump in — we got... i'm so sorry, i 'ust want to jump in there. h we got... i'm so sorry, i 'ust want to jump in there. what _ we got... i'm so sorry, ijust want to jump in there. what you're - to jump in there. what you're talking about is the fact that so many people were moved by that victory, the kinds of things that we saw in your film. just briefly, are you hoping this will mean more women in the sport, more recognition for that? ., , , ~ ., ., that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of those women _ that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of those women got _ that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of those women got into _ that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of those women got into film - that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of those women got into film from that? oh, undoubtedly! a lot of- those women got into film from the champions, the players, from watching the film. so how many young women around the world watched that game yesterday? they will all be inspired, you know, to seek out their local teams, their local clubs. and it will be a huge groundswell. and the figures of the

numbers of people who watched it, in their millions, and the potential for sponsorship advertising now, i think it's a great economic win, as well. ~ ., ., , think it's a great economic win, as well. . . . , ., ., think it's a great economic win, as well. . . , ., ., , ., well. what a privilege and a prior fiture -- well. what a privilege and a prior figure -- pleasure _ well. what a privilege and a prior figure -- pleasure to _ well. what a privilege and a prior figure -- pleasure to have - well. what a privilege and a prior figure -- pleasure to have you i well. what a privilege and a prior| figure -- pleasure to have you on figure —— pleasure to have you on the programme. that brings us to the end of newsday, thanks for watching, stay with bbc news. hello, then. of course, july 2022 will be remembered for the first time the uk saw temperatures widely in excess of a0 celsius. however, it's also been a very dry month — and in southern england, it's been the driestjuly on record — those records date back to 1836 by the met office. now anywhere in the brown has seen below—average rainfall, but the darker brown�*s way below the average rainfall totals for this time of year, and 1—2 stations along the south coast have not seen any measurable rain. now, if you can see over the next few days, we won't see any rainfall

either across the far south and east. the heaviest of the rain will be out to the north and west — that's because you're closest to an area of low pressure that's moving in at the moment. the isobars squeezing together, it'll turn pretty windy, and it will be quite wet, as well. so that means it could be a pretty damp start for the commonwealth games in birmingham, but quickly brightening up by lunchtime, so an improving story. and that will be the story generally across the country. some heavy bursts of rain across north west england and wales drifting their way steadily eastwards. the rain never getting as far south, really, as the south midlands, and then behind it, brightening up with 1—2 showers. a strong south—westerly wind as we go through the day — so blustery, but from a very warm source. it'll feel once again quite humid across the country — 21t celsius in eastern scotland, highs of 30 celsius perhaps in southeast england — that's the mid—80s fahrenheit. now, as we go through the evening and overnight, there's another frontal system that will sink its way south, just really a band of cloud and a few scattered showers,

can you see, stretching from hull down to the bristol channel. again, it stays very warm, so a humid start to wednesday morning. that frontal system — a weak affair, a band of cloud, a few isolated showers — continues to sink south. but behind, its introducing fresher air as the winds here come round to a northwesterly. so more showers being driven in by that northwesterly wind, and temperatures down a few degrees. not so in the far southeast, as that fresher air hasn't quite yet arrived — but it will do so. the northwesterly wind direction continues to dominate for a few days. high pressure then builds in from the west, quietens seeing things down. so, over the next few days, it's dry, settled, and sunny, but just that little bit fresher.

this is bbc news with the headlines. the first ship carrying grain has left ukraine five months after the russian blockade. it follows a deal and it's hoped that this will ease food prices. a prominent leader may have been killed in a drone strike on kabul over the weekend. a statement expected shortly from

president biden.