this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. el shafee el—sheikh, one of four islamic state militants known as the beatles, gets life in prison in america, over the deaths of four us citizens. but sentencing made clear to all who dare to kidnap, torture or kill any american citizen of thatjustice will find you wherever you are. russia rejects calls for a complete demilitarisation around the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern ukraine on security grounds. the un secretary general gives his response: i hope that it will be possible to start engaging in a way that we will calm, at least for the moment, to an

end of all military operations. a prominent critic of the president — we'll be speaking to the human rights advocate, bianca jagger. a show of solidarity for salman rushdie — authors gather in new york to demonstrate their support, a week after he was attacked. we start in the us, where a former british member of the islamic state terror group, has been sentenced to life in prison, by a court in virginia. el shafee el—sheikh, who's 3a, was among a group of british is members, who carried out a brutal reign of terror in syria, and became known as the beatles, a name given to them by their captives. our north america correspondent

nomia iqbal reports from virginia. el shafee elsheikh had always described himself as a simple iis ——is but that wasn't true. a trial lasting two weeks here a part of a cell of the nicest beetles due to their english accents. —— isis beatles the group rain of terror left the world reeling in nara. he was convicted of his part in a hostage murder plot in which four americans were killed. james foley, and others as well as the deaths of british aid workers. inside court the judge described what el shafee elsheikh did as horrific, barbaric, cruel and criminal. he declined to comment, he had the opportunity to do so. he is going to appeal through one

of his lawyers, he said that he was disqualified his legal team claiming he didn't receive a fair trial. outside court some of the victims families gathered. it is a hollow victory. our country has lost four of its very best citizens. we families lost our loved ones forever. and now el shafee elsheikh and cody who have lost their freedom, country and families, it is a tragic cycle of violence and heartbreak for all. el shafee elsheikh co—conspirator has already pleaded guilty and will serve the rest of his life injail. as part of his plea deal he has met some of the families. another member of this group known in the press as john is dead. el shafee elsheikh and alexander cody were eventually captured in syria when i is diminished in 2018.

they are now spending their lives somewhere they probably thought they would never end up, in a usjail. also among family members giving their reaction outside the court was carl mueller, father of kayla mueller, a humanitarian worker killed in syria. the punishment fits the crime in this case, absolutely. what he did to the americans and all the other hostages, he will spend the rest of his days in a cell in have the time to consider what is done. it's... it's a deterrent to others as well not to do this kind of thing. our security correspondent, frank gardner, told us about the significance of el shafee el—sheikh. in the bigger scheme of things for isis is military battles completely insignificant. none of these british jihadists had any military experience whatsoever. they arrived in syria in the middle

of somebody else�*s civil war with a completely warped version or vision of islam, some of it acquired in prison, having spent in early lifetime of petty crime and drug peddling. but they were useful to isis and propaganda terms. so isis leadership decided that they would give them free rain to look after these western captives and it raised a lot of money for them. so where is the british and us captives were pretty much doomed from the day they were in court. because britain and us do not pay terrace ransom. the europeans were released one by one, reportedly for huge ransom. although no government has ever admitted to this but they of course survived, went back home, told their stories and give evidence to investigators, including british detectives. these guys were just meeting out

completely agree with terms was sociopathic violence. they weren't looking to extract information for that what information can you get from someone who has turned up in syria as an aid worker orjournalist? these were military captives, they were innocent men who were simply trying to do theirjob. and these so—called isis beatles just took out their statistic tendency on them forcing them to fight each other, electrocuting them, beating them, serving them, waterboarding them. doing horrific things to them. and the important thing is the relatives, the families of the victims at least two of them is said to me, we don't want them to be given the death penalty. this was before the trial, we want to see them have their day in court, have a fair trial, not to be shipped off to some

military want but guantanamo a fair trial with defence lawyers so they get their day in court and if they are convicted —— guantanamo. they spent a long time in prison thinking what they've done. presidents putin of russia and macron of france have agreed on the need to send inspectors to zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as fears grow around its safety. it comes as the un secretary general antonio guiterress said he hopes discreet diplomacy can secure the safety of the plant — amid concerns it could be damanged by shelling. mr guterres — who's visiting the ukrainian port of odesa — told the bbc the aim was to stop military activity around the facililty, and gain access for inspectors from the international atomic energy agency. our correspondent hugo bachega is in odesa in southern ukraine. the visit by mr guterres has been overshadowed by the tensions of the zaporizhzhia nuclear power complex. for days russia and ukraine of traded accusation the ukrainians accused the russians of turning this nuclear facility into a military

base, using it to launch attacks against ukrainian towns, perhaps knowing the ukrainians are unlikely to retaliate. the russians reject those accusations. they say russian troops are there protecting this complex i asked mr guterres about the situation at the zaporizhzhia complex and about the rejection by russia of his idea of demilitarising the zone around the facility. take a listen. i hope that it will be possible to start engaging in a way that we will come, at least for the moment to an end of all military operations. and then afterwards to a situation in which this returns to its civilian nature. i also asked antonio guterres whether any negotiations were happening behind the scenes to allow those international inspectors to visit the zaporizhzhia complex, he didn't confirm or deny. he mentioned discrete diplomacy

and he did mention the grain deal that was negotiated between the russians and ukrainians, also other nations of turkey and discrete diplomacy. he sounded a bit hopeful that perhaps a deal can be reached to allow those inspectors into the plant. but so far there is no sign that the russians are willing to allow those monitors to visit in southern ukraine. for more on the risks posed by the nuclear plant, i spoke to mariana budjeryn, a senior research associate with the project on managing the atom at the harvard kennedy school's belfer center. i asked her, with all the conflicting narratives, whether she saw any way to get to the truth. at the moment of course, it is part of the problem that we really do not have access to third independently corroborated information about what's going on. if i were a betting woman i know where i would place my bets. it really is a matter of

assessing probabilities. ithink bets. it really is a matter of assessing probabilities. i think the bigger point is, eddie schelling, and any kind of physical harm to civilian nuclear facility, especially the kind that zaporizhzhia is is extremely reckless and extremely dangerous. therefore, any glimmer of hope that the mission might get there or this diplomacy, quiet diplomacy that the cherries alluded to might indeed be successful. ., ., , ., ., successful. how do you feel about that, mr macron _ successful. how do you feel about that, mr macron speaking - successful. how do you feel about that, mr macron speaking to - successful. how do you feel about that, mr macron speaking to mr. successful. how do you feel about. that, mr macron speaking to mr putin and talking about inspectors at the plant? it and talking about inspectors at the lant? , ., ., , and talking about inspectors at the lant? , , , plant? it is good news. of course the mission _ plant? it is good news. of course the mission won't _ plant? it is good news. of course the mission won't happen - plant? it is good news. of course the mission won't happen until. the mission won't happen until it happens. there are political issues at stake, it's good to see that perhaps the needle on those issues have moved previously both sides

were adamant that mission should enter through their territory. ukrainian said no, you can only enter through kyiv and russia insisted through their territory. there are signs that mr putin may have conceded on that point and the mission will go ahead by entering through kyiv. there are also reports the united nations security mission might be up to the task, security the passage of this high level delegation to this occupied plant. however, there are many impediments that could happen between now and that could happen between now and that mission in the end ijust want to impress it how truly important that mission would be if it does go ahead. even though it won't solve all of the problems, i a lot of the problems of zaporizhzhia. it can still provide us that badly needed third—party view of what's going on.

at least when it comes to the state operation of the plant. —— safe operation of the plant. —— safe operation of the plant. —— safe operation of the plant. and back equipment, radiation monitoring equipment, radiation monitoring equipment that may have gotten damage. and beyond all, it would be in an enormous vote of or expression of support for the ukrainian staff that has been operating this plant now for six months. basically under the barrel of a gun. unidentified armed attackers have taken control of a hotel in the somali capital, mogadishu. security sources say they seized the hayat hotel following two car bomb blasts and a fierce gunfight. nine injured people are reported to have been taken from the hotel by ambulance. the militant islamist group, al—shabaab, says it is behind the attack. finland's prime minster, sanna marin, says she has nothing to fear after taking a drugs test, following the emergence of a video of her, at a party.

the 36—year old took the test, after some in finland, interpreted comments by partygoers in the footage, as referring to drugs. here's caroline hawley. these are the pictures that have put the finnish prime minister in the spotlight for, her critics say, all the wrong reasons. sanna marin in the strappy black top enjoying herself at a party but the leaking of the footage prompted her to take a drugs test and today she announced she had. though she said she considered the call is unfair and was doing it for her own legal protection. she said she had always been in a fit state to lead the country. we didn't have any government meetings during that week and i had time off and spent it with my friends and did nothing illegal. when she was elected in 2019 she was the youngest world leader,

applauded by her supporters for combining the topjob with an active social life. but it has been a tough and demanding time for european leaders with covid and the current crisis in ukraine and this is not the first time herjudgment has been questioned. last december she went clubbing just hours after her foreign minister had tested positive for covid and missed a text saying she needed to isolate because she left her work phone at home. she had to apologise then for her behaviour. the 36—year—old prime minister says the latest partying was boisterous but she would have left had she needed to work. the result of her drug test is due back next week. caroline hawley, bbc news. stay with us on news, still to come. a show of solidarity for salman rushdie, authors gather in new york to demonstrate their after he was attacked. washington, the

worlds most political city is today assessing the political health of the worlds most powerful man. indeed i did have a relationship _ the worlds most powerful man. indeed i did have a relationship with _ the worlds most powerful man. indeed i did have a relationship with ms. - i did have a relationship with ms. lewinsky in fact it was wrong. in south africa at 97 people have been killed _ south africa at 97 people have been killed today, one of the worst days of violence — killed today, one of the worst days of violence between rival black groups — of violence between rival black groups over the last ten days 500 have died~ — groups over the last ten days 500 have died. . .,, ., ., ~ ., groups over the last ten days 500 have died. . ., ., ~ ., , , have died. czechoslovakia must be free! russia _ have died. czechoslovakia must be free! russia is _ have died. czechoslovakia must be free! russia is observing _ have died. czechoslovakia must be free! russia is observing a - have died. czechoslovakia must be| free! russia is observing a national da of free! russia is observing a national day of mourning — free! russia is observing a national day of mourning for _ free! russia is observing a national day of mourning for the _ free! russia is observing a national day of mourning for the mariners l free! russia is observing a national. day of mourning for the mariners who died. indie day of mourning for the mariners who died. ~ ., ., in day of mourning for the mariners who died-_ in our. died. we all with them now. in our hearts. died. we all with them now. in our hearts- the _ died. we all with them now. in our hearts. the pope _ died. we all with them now. in our hearts. the pope celebrated - died. we all with them now. in our hearts. the pope celebrated mass| hearts. the pope celebrated mass before _ hearts. the pope celebrated mass before a _ hearts. the pope celebrated mass before a congregation of more than two and _ before a congregation of more than two and half million people in home town _ two and half million people in home town slay— two and half million people in home town. stay with us, stay with us chanted — town. stay with us, stay with us chanted this ocean of humanity. you want me _ chanted this ocean of humanity. you want me to — chanted this ocean of humanity. you want me to desert room? —— rome.

this is bbc news the latest headline. the us court has sent his isis militant for his role in the hostage taking and eventual death of four americans in syria for the writer rejects calls for complete demilitarisation around the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on security grounds. police in nicaragua have detained a roman catholic bishop who's been a prominent critic of president daniel 0rtega. bishop rolando alvarez is accused of trying to destabilize the government. he'd been under police siege at his home for two weeks. after two weeks under police siege at his home, nicaraguan bishop and government critic rolando alvarez in critic rolando alvarez this video he says he want to

out in this video he says he want to go out for holy mass but was not allowed to do so. i suppose your reaction to hearing the bishop has been detained. i reaction to hearing the bishop has been detained.— been detained. i was shocked and a- alled been detained. i was shocked and appalled by _ been detained. i was shocked and appalled by the — been detained. i was shocked and appalled by the news _ been detained. i was shocked and appalled by the news that - been detained. i was shocked and appalled by the news that bishopl appalled by the news that bishop alvarez was abductive, kidnapped from the home where he was with five priests. what the police of daniel 0rtega did was to break down the doors and then to be able to get into abductive. he had been held hostage for the last 15 days without being allowed to go officiate mass or without being allowed for anyone to bring him food, drinks and medicine. and today the police has issued a statement saying that he is on house arrest. they have brought

him, the other priests and layman are injail today. and the question and the request we are making to nicaragua is release monsignor rolando alvarez. and wondering why there is a war that has been waged against the catholic church, against the priests in nicaragua today. mar; the priests in nicaragua today. may i sa to the priests in nicaragua today. may i say to our viewers, beyond thought that they come of the nicaraguan police of accused bishop alvarez of organising vibrant groups and exciting them to carry out acts of hate against the population with the aim of destabilising the nicaraguan state. ~ ., ., , aim of destabilising the nicaraguan state. ~ ., ., ., state. what would you respond to that? i state. what would you respond to that? i will _ state. what would you respond to that? i will say _ state. what would you respond to that? i will say it's _ state. what would you respond to that? i will say it's certainly - state. what would you respond to that? i will say it's certainly not i that? i will say it's certainly not what bishop alvarez is. bishop alvarez is a highly respected man who preaches love and who preaches

cooperation between all the people in nicaragua. he is loved and respected not only by the catholic people but by people from all walks of life and from all religions or non—religions as he is said many times. the fact is, the catholic church has not waged any war against the government, neither have they ever preached to the people to uprise against the regime of 0rtega for that what you have in the government of 0rtega is a regime that has committed crimes against humanity. who today are holding more than 190 people who are political prisoners among them, you have the seven political leaders who were going to but dissipate in the fraudulent elections that we had in nicaragua. you are politicians,

human right offenders, journalists who are injailfor that human right offenders, journalists who are in jail for that and you have priests who are now in jail plus the five abducted yesterday. what i could say is you have here a regime, a dictatorship that has been persecuting the people of nicaragua. today you have hardly any independent media. leaves the country because of persecution. fif country because of persecution. of course that might happen with bishop alvarez. let's wait and see. 0bviously, alvarez. let's wait and see. obviously, i don't have a representative from the 0rtega government although they are very welcome on the programme. there is more on this story is very interesting, when it comes to the catholic church and the 0rtega i suppose, presidency as well. thank you. ali has the sport. england's cricketers were thrashed by south africa in the first test at lord the

chores bolding when out winning by an innings in 12 runs inside three days with episo first defeat for the new england captain ben stokes but he says they will not compromise their attacking brand of cricket despite being outplayed by south africa. , africa. over the three days, whenever— africa. over the three days, whenever they _ africa. over the three days, whenever they were - africa. over the three days, | whenever they were bowling, africa. over the three days, _ whenever they were bowling, whatever we threw them they seem to counter that. 0bviously you've got to give them a lot of credit. it was enough game for us and that's fine. not going to... the message for me in the guise of stairs will be did we commit to the way that we committed to everything in the first four tests of the summer? if everyone can say yes, 100% then things are good, will onto the next test match and try and win. �* . onto the next test match and try and win. ~ ., ., , onto the next test match and try and win. . ., ., , ., , onto the next test match and try and win. . ., ., ,., , ., win. re-alma dreads on his way to manchester — win. re-alma dreads on his way to manchester united, _ win. re-alma dreads on his way to manchester united, and _ win. re-alma dreads on his way to i manchester united, and agreements reached believed to be up to £70

million for the 30—year—old. transfer for the five—time champion still subject to the agreement of personal terms. uk beazer requirements and a medical. chelsea's manager thomas tuchel has recieved a one—match touchline ban and fined 35 thousand pounds following his clash with spurs boss antonio conte last weekend with both men shown red cards. the italian was also fined 15 thousand pounds. tuchels ban has been suspended temporarily though, pending the full written reasons for the decision. that will means tuchel can take his place in the dugout for sunday's premier league match at leeds. lebronjames has become the highest earning player in the history of the nba after agreeing a two—year, $97.1 million contract extension through to 2025 with the los angeles lakers. he will be a0 then with career earnings topping 500 mllion dollars. here's the nba reporter lindsay dunn.

him signing this contract extension which gets the drama like me talking about the lecture, is a get aside or not? he's a wait untiljune. that storyline is gone. exactly what you're talking about is were going to continue to talk about the next two years because his side will be nba draught eligible for that will he go with the lakers to play with lebronjames? he go with the lakers to play with lebron james? that's he go with the lakers to play with lebronjames? that's the story we are all wondering. will the nba see the first two father—son duo? that is something lebronjames was play as long as he can for. one of cycling's toughest records has been broken by someone who isn't even a full—time rider. britain's dan bigham has smashed the hour record. he made the attempt in switzerland and broke the old mark by almost half a kilometre, a huge margin. he covered 55.5118 kilometres in the 60 minutes. that's about 2k and a half miles. being a pro—cyclist isn't even bigham's dayjob — normally he works for the ineos team

as a performance engineer. to put my name among some of the absolute greatest in the sport, it's mind blowing. franklyi absolute greatest in the sport, it's mind blowing. frankly i hadn't considered before hand. it's always been a project to see something i could do and never considered the outcome of what that really means. such a part to be up part of it have the support to go and do it. it's been mind blowing. he’s the support to go and do it. it's been mind blowing. he's probably still dizzy going — been mind blowing. he's probably still dizzy going round _ been mind blowing. he's probably still dizzy going round and - been mind blowing. he's probably still dizzy going round and round l been mind blowing. he's probably| still dizzy going round and round in circles for an hour. that's all the sport for now. thank you ali. sir salman rushdie continues to recover in hospital with severe injuries, a week after the author was stabbed on stage. in a show of support for the indian—born british novelis hundreds of writers gathered at the new york public library to read his works and pay tribute. two he a book is only to confirm to oneself what whaen already knows her things one nose. but the power of

books to inspire both love and hate is an indication of their ability to make all to reason in the fabric of what is. be make all to reason in the fabric of what is. �* ,,., ., , what is. be well salman rushdie. one ofthe what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things— what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things i — what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things i am _ what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things i am excited _ what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things i am excited for- what is. be well salman rushdie. one of the things i am excited for is - of the things i am excited for is when _ of the things i am excited for is when salman rushdie comes back and has something to say to us, he has always— has something to say to us, he has always risen — has something to say to us, he has always risen to the moment. i think he will— always risen to the moment. i think he will have — always risen to the moment. i think he will have something profound to say about _ he will have something profound to say about who we are, where we are and where _ say about who we are, where we are and where were going because he is always— and where were going because he is always done so. no and where were going because he is always done so-_ always done so. no writer ever really wants — always done so. no writer ever really wants to _ always done so. no writer ever really wants to talk _ always done so. no writer ever really wants to talk about - really wants to talk about censorship _ really wants to talk about censorship. writers - really wants to talk about censorship. writers want| really wants to talk about . censorship. writers want to really wants to talk about - censorship. writers want to talk about _ censorship. writers want to talk about creation _ censorship. writers want to talk about creation and _ censorship. writers want to talk about creation and censorship . censorship. writers want to talkj about creation and censorship is anti-creation. _ about creation and censorship is anti—creation, negative- about creation and censorship is anti—creation, negative energy, | about creation and censorship is . anti—creation, negative energy, on creation, _ anti—creation, negative energy, on creation, the — anti—creation, negative energy, on creation, the bringing _ anti—creation, negative energy, on creation, the bringing into - anti—creation, negative energy, on creation, the bringing into being. anti—creation, negative energy, onj creation, the bringing into being of nonbeing — creation, the bringing into being of nonbeing. censorship— creation, the bringing into being of nonbeing. censorship is— creation, the bringing into being of nonbeing. censorship is the - creation, the bringing into being of nonbeing. censorship is the thing i nonbeing. censorship is the thing that stops— nonbeing. censorship is the thing that stops you _ nonbeing. censorship is the thing that stops you doing _ nonbeing. censorship is the thing that stops you doing what - nonbeing. censorship is the thing that stops you doing what you - nonbeing. censorship is the thing l that stops you doing what you want to do _ that stops you doing what you want to do for— that stops you doing what you want to do for them _ that stops you doing what you want to do for them and _ that stops you doing what you want to do for them and what _ that stops you doing what you want to do for them and what writers - that stops you doing what you want i to do for them and what writers want to do for them and what writers want to talk— to do for them and what writers want to talk about — to do for them and what writers want to talk about is what _ to do for them and what writers want to talk about is what they— to do for them and what writers want to talk about is what they do - to do for them and what writers want to talk about is what they do not - to talk about is what they do not what _ to talk about is what they do not what stops — to talk about is what they do not what stops them _ to talk about is what they do not what stops them doing - to talk about is what they do not what stops them doing it. - to talk about is what they do not what stops them doing it. that. to talk about is what they do not what stops them doing it. that in new york today. _ you can get in touch with me and the

team on twitter. asa as a cloud cleared away from the pharmacy it took that humid air. we will be much more comfortable for sleeping tonight. and there will be another opportunity to witness the spectacular northern lights. this was taken last night as you can see an island. again not quite as strong as last night, the aurora forecast is that it should be seen again across scotland, particularly the north of scotland. we should see clear skies. we've got showers with us through the evening but they should start to ease and that you can see clear skies on the satellite to the west of us for a time. showers elsewhere is a way across northern across northern ireland, northern england and any remaining across england and wales. a quiet start to the evening and overnight

but through the second half of the night we get yet more rain pushing into scotland and northern ireland, driven in by a stronger when in fact gales for the hebrides. temperatures don't drop much here. further south i think it will be fresher. these are towns and cities i could get into single figures in the countryside. it will be more comfortable for sleeping. under countryside. it will be more comfortable forsleeping. undera comfortable for sleeping. under a ridge comfortable forsleeping. undera ridge of high pressure and in the cell tomorrow, more sunshine and dry weather to come. 0ur weather front bowl sink southward and maintain the intensities of the could be every burst of rain, something to reverse as well is it sinks its way to southern scotland, away from northern ireland and into northern england, pushed by the strong winds. some showers will follow and there will be showers to the south as well but either side we will see more sunshine, temperatures perhaps a degree years her down because the wind will be a bit fresher. it will feel pleasant in the sunshine. through the night that weather front weakens further as it sinks into the southern parts of england and wales with claudia skies potentially a

sunday, could be misty and murky around close in the west with the advance of initially quite light and patchy rain. later in the day heavier rain but instead with a ridge of high pressure further north it looks drierfor ridge of high pressure further north it looks drier for scotland, northern england, northern ireland. feeling pleasantly warm in the strong august sunshine. through sunday evening and overnight it looks as if many areas will see a dampening of the ground as that rain moves its way eastward, perhaps ten mm of a possibly more of the higher ground. not a guarantee for all, showers follow in the north thereafter but it looks dryer from mid—weight on further solve.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a member of an isis terror cell has beenjailed for life after being convicted for his role in the murder of western hostages in syria. el shafee elsheikh was part of a group involved in torturing, beating and executing prisoners. russia has rejected pleas for a complete demilitarisation around ukraine's zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, saying it would make the site more vulnerable. the un secretary general has called for an end to military operations nearby. the finnish prime minister says she's taken a drug test to prove she has never used illegal substances, after footage emerged of her partying with friends. sanna marin said her ability to perform her duties was not impaired. in a show of solidarity for salman rushdie, authors have been gathering in new york to demonstrate their support, a week after he was attacked.