welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. china prepares to begin live fire military exercises, after nancy pelosi — a top us politician — visits taiwan and reaffirms america's commitment to taiwanese democracy. the allegations, i've been very proud and i've come to taiwan to make it unequivocally clear that we will not abandon our commitment to taiwan and we are proud of our enduring friendship. the un secretary general accuses oil and gas companies of exploiting the poor while destroying the climate with what he called "grotesque greed". in a major victory for pro—choice groups — the conservative state of kansas — votes to keep its abortion services.

and how do countries adapt to climate change? — we'll be looking at new zealand's plan to deal with the impact of global warming — could it lead to costal communities being abandoned as the sea—level rises? welcome to bbc news. we begin in taiwan — and the continued fury from beijing — after the visit from the us speaker — nancy pelosi. in the last few hours — taiwan's defence ministry says it scrambled jets to warn off twenty—seven chinese warplanes in its defence zone. nancy pelosi says her delegation�*s visit — was intended to make it clear — that the us won't abandon the island. taiwan is self governing — and lies about 160 kilometres across the taiwan strait. it sees itself as independent, but china views it as its own —

and has said it will carry out several days of live fire, military drills, in the sea and air around the island. from taiwan, here's rupert wingfield hayes despite what china has been saying, today's meeting between nancy pelosi and taiwan president ing—wen didn't look terribly sinister. president tsai began by presenting ms pelosi with taiwan's highest civilian honour. she in turn praised taiwan's democracy and promised america would stand by the island. our solidarity with you is more important than ever, as you defend taiwan and your freedom. we are supporters of the status quo, and we don't want anything to happen to taiwan by force. so strength, and one of the biggest sources of strength is democracy. most people here are unfazed by china's threats. if anything, they're excited that the world's attention is focused on taiwan, if only for 2h hours. i think everybody is very excited here and very

happy that she can come. and, more importantly, that people can show their excitement that, you know, that they're very welcome. to most people here, taiwan is a proud, independent country, with its own national flag and its own democratically—elected president. it is not some renegade province of china. but beijing has used its considerable economic and political clout to make sure this place is recognised by almost nobody. and that's why nancy pelosi's trip here today has been so important to them. they also knew china might retaliate, and that is exactly what it's now doing. china has declared these six areas around taiwan closed to all air and sea traffic, starting from midday on thursday until midday on sunday. some of them encroach on taiwan's own territorial waters. in beijing, the foreign ministry said china had been forced into taking these actions.

translation: for days, china has repeatedly - expressed its opposition to pelosi's taiwan visit, but the us and the taiwan separatist forces seem not to have heard. in this case, china can only speak to them in a language that they can understand. china's state television has been showing warplanes and navalforces mobilising, and ballistic missile carriers on the move. taiwan's defence ministry says china may be preparing to blockade the island. if so, we could be heading for the most serious crisis in more than 20 years. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in taipei. john kirby, a spokesman for the u—s security council, has been speaking to the bbc about china's reaction to ms pelosi's visit to taiwan. we are certainly watching this as closely as we can. we've made it clear that we do not want to see any tensions

escalated that the united states is going to not going to participate in sabre rattling. there's no reason for beijing to amp up the tensions here and escalate things and to turn this into some sort of military event. we knew and we said so on monday that we expected them to conduct exercises. they've done that it appears as if they're going to do some work comments were going to watch this very closely and we have security commitments throughout the region, five or seven treaty alliances and the indo—pacific, we take this very seriously and nothing is changed, either about our commitment step taiwan and this of defence but also to support their self—defense, rather. and our one china policy. we have said all along that there is no basis, nojustification all along that there is no basis, no justification for the chinese to establish some sort

of pretext for this to emerge into a crisis or conflict. earlier i spoke to asia security expert bonnie lin. she told me how taiwan is likely to respond to the chinese military drills. there are some of the exercise areas _ there are some of the exercise areas that_ there are some of the exercise areas that are even closer than 16 km — areas that are even closer than 16 km in— areas that are even closer than 16 km. in the real question is, if china — 16 km. in the real question is, if china is_ 16 km. in the real question is, if china is starting to enter into— if china is starting to enter into taiwan's airspace and martyrs, _ into taiwan's airspace and martyrs, it's how taiwan may react — martyrs, it's how taiwan may react it _ martyrs, it's how taiwan may react. it may be from taiwan's perspective, if they do not respond, could set a precedent for taiwan_ respond, could set a precedent for taiwan to operate close —— china — for taiwan to operate close —— china and _ for taiwan to operate close —— china and are pretty close to taiwan _ china and are pretty close to taiwan -- _ china and are pretty close to taiwan. —— to operate. at china and are pretty close to taiwan. -- to operate. at what oint do taiwan. -- to operate. at what point do you — taiwan. -- to operate. at what point do you see _ taiwan. -- to operate. at what point do you see the _ taiwan. -- to operate. at what point do you see the us - taiwan. -- to operate. at what| point do you see the us getting involved as well? i point do you see the us getting

involved as well?— involved as well? i think, if china starts _ involved as well? i think, if china starts operating - involved as well? i think, if. china starts operating closer and closer to taiwan, i think taiwan— and closer to taiwan, i think taiwan will likely be cautious and probably not engage in significant activity to strike the chinese first rarity which activities _ the chinese first rarity which activities and if china starts flying — activities and if china starts flying over taiwan airspace. but, _ flying over taiwan airspace. but, as_ flying over taiwan airspace. but, as we see the two militaries started coming even closer— militaries started coming even closer and operating closer and closer — closer and operating closer and closer together. there is a risk— closer together. there is a risk of— closer together. there is a risk of potential escalation. if risk of potential escalation. if china _ risk of potential escalation. if china decides to fly aeroplanes over taiwan airspace, taiwan may try to intercept— airspace, taiwan may try to intercept them and what happens intercept them and what happens in the _ intercept them and what happens in the air, — intercept them and what happens in the air, we could see a mideir— in the air, we could see a midair collision, we could see a lot— midair collision, we could see a lot of— midair collision, we could see a lot of different scenarios plank _ a lot of different scenarios plank it's very difficult to tell— plank it's very difficult to tell in— plank it's very difficult to tell in advance.— tell in advance. and potentially, - tell in advance. and potentially, a - tell in advance. and potentially, a reallyj potentially, a really dangerous, as you've been discussing, intriguing. nancy pelosi is with taiwan, was the point of these drills now, do you see any of this from china

in the coming weeks and months. here it is unacceptable in this behaviour. here it is unacceptable in this behaviour-— here it is unacceptable in this behaviour. china timing these drills after — behaviour. china timing these drills after speaker _ behaviour. china timing these drills after speaker policy - behaviour. china timing these drills after speaker policy is l drills after speaker policy is left — drills after speaker policy is left it _ drills after speaker policy is left. it shows that china is aware _ left. it shows that china is aware of _ left. it shows that china is aware of the power dynamics and wants _ aware of the power dynamics and wants to — aware of the power dynamics and wants to make sure that it's punishment against what infuses an acceptable activity is mainly— an acceptable activity is mainly directed towards taiwan. i mainly directed towards taiwan. i expect— mainly directed towards taiwan. i expect bistros to put a lot of pressure on taiwan and whatever china is doing in these _ whatever china is doing in these drills in the next couple of days, — these drills in the next couple of days, it _ these drills in the next couple of days, it would not be the first — of days, it would not be the first and _ of days, it would not be the first and only time that china does — first and only time that china does them. china is trying to normalise _ does them. china is trying to normalise a pattern of more aggressive behaviour against taiwan _ let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. managing tensions in the south china sea will be on the agenda as the us

secretary of state antony blinken attends the summit of asia pacific leaders in cambodia. other topics include the military conflict in myanmar. the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has told myanmar�*s ruling generals that moscow supports their efforts at what he called stabilising the situation in the country. russia is a major ally and arms supplier of the isolated burmese military, and has been accused of arming them with weapons used to attack civilians since last year's coup. ajury in texas has begun weighing how much in damages a prominent far—right us conspiracy theorist should pay for claiming that the massacre of 20 children and six teachers at sandy hook elementary school was a "hoax." alexjones, founder of the website infowars has been found liable in multiple defamation lawsuits brought by parents of the victims of the 2012 shooting spain is experiencing

a third intense heatwave, with temperatures spiking at more than a0 degrees over the next 10 days in central and southern parts. an orange warning, which predicts a significant risk to those taking part in outdoor activities, is in place for 15 provinces. weather models estimate this period of intense heat will last until at least mid—august. another story for you now — and a strong statement from the united nations secretary general who has said — it is immoralfor oil and gas companies to be making record profits on the backs of the world's poorest people, and at massive cost to the climate. presenting a report on the energy crisis, antonio guterres urged all governments to tax excessive profits and use the money to help the most vulnerable. heres our new york business correspondent michelle fleury. the un secretary—general did not mince his words. guterres

torrent of what he called the grotesque creed of these companies in the financial backers. they have seen bumper profit and with oil and natural gas soaring since the war in ukraine. it gas soaring since the war in ukraine. , ., ., ., ., ukraine. it is immoral for oil and as ukraine. it is immoral for oil and gas companies - ukraine. it is immoral for oil and gas companies to - ukraine. it is immoral for oil and gas companies to be - ukraine. it is immoral for oil - and gas companies to be making record profits from these energy crisis on the back of the poorest people in communities and at the massive costs to the claimant. mr guterres _ costs to the claimant. mr guterres is _ costs to the claimant. mr guterres is urging the government introduced a windfall tax on the record profits and together he pointed out the largest producers made a profit of almost hundred billion dollars in the first three months of this year and he wants the money for this collection to be helping those most in need. mr guterres is picking up on a rising chorus of voices were calling for a windfall tax on energy. in america, you have some congressional democrats who

have floated the idea and in europe, spain is planning to following the footsteps of britain and which have already adopted such plans. it is also not the first of the oil industry has been criticised for taking advantage of the global supply server to which to fatten profits. president biden signalled out when companies sing it it made more money than god this year. companies saying it it made more money than god this year. meanwhile, the russian energy giant, gazprom, says the delivery to russia of a turbine crucial to its gas supplies to europe has been made "impossible" by the current sanctions. but the german chancellor has blamed moscow for not honouring its gas supply contracts and accused president putin of blocking delivery of the turbine. this comes as fears of gas shortages —— and even blackouts, are growing in germany. jenny hill has this report. he's holding europe's feet to the fire. vladimir putin knows germany relies on his energy, that its industry needs his gas.

the aluminium they produce here flows down vital supply chains — cars, medical equipment, wind turbines. but no—one can rule out shortages this winter. honestly, if they cut energy, there is no real contingency plan. the only thing you can do is then prioritise, and, let's say, allocate the capacity that you could still run to the most important markets, where you think the damage to society is the biggest, right? so you'd cut back on production? that's the only way. russia cut gas to europe, but it wants the world to think it's germany's fault. so, today, a photo—op. the german chancellor and the german turbine russia says it can't do without. 0laf scholz insists it's available and there is no technical reason for russia to withhold its gas. but this is a chancellor who promised to phase out coal and end nuclear power.

he is having to rethink those pledges now. "germany's last three remaining nuclear power stations," he said, "only provide electricity, and only a small amount." "nevertheless, it could make sense to keep them going." it would be a huge political compromise. one of those plants is in bavaria, and provides 12% of the region's electricity. it's due to be decommissioned at the end of the year. in the nearby town of landshut, they're painfully aware that germany doesn't yet have enough gas stored for the winter. translation: we are preparing for disaster management. - should the gas supply break down, energy intensive industries would be the first to be taken off the supply grid, which would have catastrophic consequences for industry in our region. secondly, we would have to ensure places like hospitals and old peoples' homes are looked after. vladimir putin is casting

a long shadow over the baking heat of the german summer. he may not yet have triggered the economic and political turmoil he'd no doubt like to unleash in the heart of europe, but he is forcing governments like germany's into difficult decisions and uncomfortable choices. and that's before you throw soaring energy bills into the mix. europe faces a volatile winter. and its leaders, a critical task — to insulate europe from russian power. jenny hill, bbc news, landshut, in bavaria. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter. you're watching newsday on the bbc.

still to come on the programme. we'll look at a plan by new zealand to deal with the impact of global warming with a climate expert. 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. china prepares to begin live fire military exercises, after nancy pelosi's controversial visit to taiwan.. the un secretary general accuses oil and gas companies of exploiting the poor while destroying the climate with what he called "grotesque greed". let's turn to the united states now, where voters in the conservative state of kansas have voted to uphold the state's access to abortion services. it's a major victory for pro choice groups after the us supreme court overturned roe v wade two months ago, ending federal protection for the procedure. since that ruling, abortion has been banned in ten

states across the us and restrictions imposed in at least four. the referendum in kansas is the first time voters have had the chance to weigh in. president biden called the vote a �*decisive victory�*. nomia iqbal reports. cheering in this deeply conservative state, it is a moment that gave liberal groups hope. it's going to be ok, it's going to be ok. they'd expected the vote to protect abortion rights to either be tight, or not go their way at all. i am speechless, really. i'm so proud and relieved. i'm relieved that our rights remain intact in kansas. when the us supreme court overturned roe v wade two months ago, a ruling that legalised abortion nationwide, many republican—led states banned or restricted the procedure. not kansas, because the right is enshrined in its constitution. an amendment had to be passed to remove that right.

it was a yes or a no vote. no won, by a lot. so proud of everybody in this state of kansas who has stepped forward and worked so hard for this. for president biden, this result is proof that the removal of roe v wade is out of step with public opinion. voters made it clear that politicians should not interfere with the fundamental rights of women. the voters of kansas sent a powerful signal that this fall the american people will vote to preserve and protect their rights, and refuse to let them be ripped away by politicians. and my administration has their back. anti—abortion groups say this is a temporary setback. this campaign has been bitter and divisive. around $12 million has been spent by both yes and no sides, in a state with a population ofjust 3 million people. both groups have accused each other of aggressive and misleading tactics.

unlike its neighbouring states, abortion is currently legal in kansas until 22 weeks of pregnancy. and now will stay that way. for many, that's emotional and disappointing. itjust goes against my faith, i guess, or my feelings. i just don't like to see an innocent life taken, if it isn't really, really medically necessary. other states will now vote directly on abortion rights in the mid—term elections in november. but this comfortably republican state has shown just how unpredictable this issue is in america. nomia iqbal, bbc news, kansas. new zealand has released its first national plan to prepare for extreme weather in the years ahead. it comes as fires, floods and heatwaves have scorched countries around the globe this summer — and scientists say these severe weather events will only get more frequent. the country's climate

ministerjames shaw says the national adaptation plan outlines steps the government will take over the next six years and is "absolutely crucial". earlier i spoke with climate expert professor bronwyn hayward — about how ambitious this plan is. i think the overall feeling around the country and by experts, the sense of relief that they have finally joined many and setting up a plan and most countries are saying they're putting it into practice and it's really the next big step in funding them. what is particularly useful about this plan is its focus on protecting the poorest and indigenous communities here we know are going to be the most affected by rising seasons and while britain is going to have such record waves here in

christchurch, we have the latestjuly on record and so, flooding sea level along with wildfires and drought, and increasing risk for new zealanders and it is a relief and now the big question is how we're going to fund it. in we're going to fund it. in that's what i want to ask you about because while the plan is been praised in terms of the scope of its ambition. a lot of questions in terms of lacking in detail when it comes to who will pay for it and the cost of it. , , , , it. yes, the next step will be following _ it. yes, the next step will be following long-overdue - following long—overdue installations and we've created emissions targets for 2050. in setting up the plan and the risks now followed by climate adaptation bill which is due in legislation next year. the

climate administration sits outside of the cabinet and labour government which has been focused on a raft of reforms and i think the climate bill is being pushed to the beginning of next year with a push through the legislation. it is a shame that these are not integrated does a lot of change happening in the new climate bill we're looking at. and also under thoughts of realistically, but the plan effectively getting people to move because my understanding is moving peoples homes which are in low—lying areas and moving them to higher ground. i do you convince people that they need to do this? at do you convince people that they need to do this? at this oint, they need to do this? at this point. it's — they need to do this? at this point. it's very _ they need to do this? at this point, it's very difficult - they need to do this? at this point, it's very difficult i - point, it's very difficult i think britain and other countries are finding the idea of managed retreat very difficult and treating it as a last resort stipulation. but this legislation needs to provide funding and support to make sure that first the people

aren't in situations a high risk, which increasingly a local government is still happening. local government is struggling around the world, to control and produce planning. and to get them out of harm's way before they move and find the funding to the private and public sector and make sure they can move and elevate. to iceland now, where there's been renewed volcanic activity not far from the capital, reykjavik. the lava eruption — is close to the mountain which erupted in march 2021. iceland's government says, that there's currently no expectation of ashfall — or of damage to infrastructure. the eruption follows thousands of mini earthquakes in the area in recent days. pilgrims at the great mosque of mecca are once again

able to touch and kiss one of the most revered relics in islam — the black stone, set in the ancient structure known as the kaaba. after two years of drastic pandemic restrictions, the protective barrier around the kaaba has now finally been removed. it was originally set up at the start of the covid—19 pandemic for social distancing, but has been taken down just in time for the umrah pilgrimage season. and before we go, i want to tell you about the british actor who starred in the 0scar—winning "slumdog millionnaire", dev patel —— who broke up a knife fight while he was in australia. the actor witnessed the altercation in adelaide on monday. a man and a woman were reportedly fighting in the street and at a convenience store when the man was stabbed in the chest. dev patel�*s spokesman says the star, who was with a group of friends, "acted on his natural instinct" and successfully de—escalated the situation. they remained on site to ensure the police and the ambulance arrived. the man who was stabbed is expected to survive.

that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. hello there. we've had some exceptional weather through july and statistics came through this week to show that it was the driest on record in some southern and eastern parts of the uk, and there's little sign of any rain here for the rest of the week and into the weekend. but it's notjust been dry across the south and east. across the whole of the uk through the meteorological summerso far — june and july — we've had just over 100 millimetres of rain. whilst during the whole of the summer — so another month, august, added on — we'd normally expect to see about 240 mm, so we're way off that. it has been dry across many parts, but obviously exceptionally so in the south. and with this high

pressure moving in over the next few days, that's going to keep our weather fronts at bay and it means the dry weather persists. rain will fall, but mostly in the north. this shows the accumulations over the next 3—4 days, and we do expect some rain for northern ireland and for scotland, but very little across the south and east where we need it. there's been some heavy rain overnight across scotland and northern ireland, some heavy, thundery rain just across the east of scotland in particular. there could be some quite nasty conditions for travelling here, localised flooding. further south, we're losing the humidity — finally, we're lowering the humidity — more comfortable for sleeping. so, some rush—hour issues potentially with spray and standing water on the faster routes in the south and east of scotland before that clears away. sunny spells and scattered showers, heavy in the north of scotland,

rumbles of thunder potentially, one or two into the midlands, east anglia. but notice the temperatures, 20—25, feeling a lot fresher, i think, compared with recent days, less oppressive. we'll notice that at the commonwealth games in birmingham — temperatures 3—4 degrees down here. through the evening and overnight, the showers continue, as you can see. perhaps some heavier ones clumping together and a fresh feel again, more noticeable again across the south, and we keep that fresher air, actually, through the weekend. the rain comes in the form of showers, just one or two getting into northern parts of england, perhaps the midlands again and parts of wales, but few and far between for the most part. temperatures on par with those of thursday, 17—24 celsius. then, into the weekend, there is going to be some rain, particular the across the north of scotland, but elsewhere, there's a lot of dry and settled weather, warming up again into next week.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour as newsday continues, straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur, and this is the stage of the royal shakespeare theatre in stratford—upon—avon, birthplace of william shakespeare. 400 years and more after his death, his words and stories still resonate around the world, transcending languages and borders. well, my guest today

is the just—retired artistic director of the royal shakespeare company,