welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm monica miller. the headlines. un inspectors arrive in the ukrainian town of zaporizhzhia, close to the russian—occupied nuclear power plant, as ukraine and russia blame each other for the fighting which rages around it. my my mission is a technical mission, that seeks to prevent a nuclear accident. as the tributes continue, preparations are being made for the funeral of mikhail gorbachov, the last leader of the soviet union. a final critical report is released by the un human rights commissioner

into how china treats its uighur muslims. no end in sight to the floods sweeping across pakistan — the rising waters turn roads into rivers in the worst affected areas. a few days before it drained, and since then the water has not drained. people have made makeshift tents. the drained. people have made makeshift tents. ., ., , ., , tents. the two candidates to be the next uk prime _ tents. the two candidates to be the next uk prime minister _ tents. the two candidates to be the next uk prime minister has - tents. the two candidates to be the next uk prime minister has held . next uk prime minister has held theirfinal next uk prime minister has held their final debate. next uk prime minister has held theirfinal debate. we next uk prime minister has held their final debate. we find next uk prime minister has held theirfinal debate. we find out next uk prime minister has held their final debate. we find out who is best place to be the next resident of number ten downing street. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world.

ukraine has accused russia of shelling a town near the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where a team from the un nuclear watchdog is expected in the coming days. the plant, which was taken by russia in march, is a strategic prize for moscow. it sits on the banks of the dnipro river — 200 kilometres from crimea — which it annexed in 2014. rafael grossi, the head of the international atomic energy agency, and 13 colleagues are currently close to and en route to the plant, which has come under repeated attack, raising fears of a nuclear accident. our correspondent james waterhouse has the latest from kyiv. the chances of international inspectors making it to the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant were once remote. they are now looking a lot more promising or probable. at the moment they are in the city of zaporizhzhia, a good hour and a half from the plant itself, but there are still bends in

the road. moscow installed officials say they don't yet have the right permissions to make it through their own military checkpoints. in their words, they will have to get in the queue with everyone else. the iaea chief has laid out what he wants to achieve. it chief has laid out what he wants to achieve. , . . a, chief has laid out what he wants to achieve. , . . u, ,, ., achieve. it is a technical mission that seeks _ achieve. it is a technical mission that seeks to — achieve. it is a technical mission that seeks to prevent _ achieve. it is a technical mission that seeks to prevent a - achieve. it is a technical mission that seeks to prevent a nuclear. that seeks to prevent a nuclear accident. it will preserve the biggest nuclear power plant in europe. not only in ukraine. this is what we are concentrating on. for ukraine, what we are concentrating on. for ukraine. the _ what we are concentrating on. for ukraine, the hope is that this is the first step towards demilitarisation, towards russians backing out from the site completely. that is looking remote, but the optimism seems to be remaining. it but the optimism seems to be remaining-— but the optimism seems to be remaininu. , , ., remaining. it should be a step to demilitarise _ remaining. it should be a step to demilitarise the _ remaining. it should be a step to

demilitarise the station, - remaining. it should be a step to i demilitarise the station, because it's really important. also very important, ourview, it's really important. also very important, our view, the mission to speak to the staff, to get the real information, not russian information, not russian information, but real information of what is inside.— what is inside. once they arrive, the iaea say _ what is inside. once they arrive, the iaea say they _ what is inside. once they arrive, the iaea say they want - what is inside. once they arrive, the iaea say they want to - what is inside. once they arrive, the iaea say they want to speak| what is inside. once they arrive, i the iaea say they want to speak to staff, check the physical integrity of the site with the six nuclear reactors. there is a lot they want to do, but crucially, moscow has hinted its own approval of the very idea of inspectors staying there permanently, something the iaea would have a stabilising effect on an area that has seen almost daily shelling since the start of this month, with both sides blaming each other. meanwhile, further along in the south, the ukrainian counter offensive seems to be continuing around the city of kerstin, the

first major city to fall in this invasion. the claim from kyiv, the russians are suffering heavy losses, claims which are difficult to verify at the age, but they are racing against time. the gains are minimal for the ukrainians but they are looking to demonstrate to the west that they can use their weapons to great effect, to battle waning interest going forward, but also they want to reclaim the city and they want to reclaim the city and the surrounding region before the russians stage sham referendums in the attempt to try and legitimise their occupation and portray the very idea that the city wants to be part of russia. political leaders past and present from around the world have been paying tribute to mikhail gorbachov. he was the last leader of the soviet union, who died on tuesday at the age of 91. his reforms helped to end the cold war peacefully. but he was unable to prevent the slow collapse of the union, and many russians still blame him for the years of

turmoil that ensued. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, in moscow, has been getting reaction to gorbachov�*s death. for a man who has made such a huge impact, a tiny memorial. mikhail gorbachev may have helped to end the cold war, but in russia, there is no major outpouring of grief at his passing. instead, this on russian state tv. the presenter claims its the enemies of russia — in other words, the west — that have been praising mr gorbachev. and veiled criticism from the kremlin — a spokesperson says that gorbachev had been badly wrong about the prospect of better relations with the bloodthirsty west. many russians blame mikhail gorbachev for the collapse of the soviet empire — something president putin calls the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.

today, vladimir putin sent a telegram to mikhail gorbachev�*s family expressing his condolences. but these two leaders are polar opposites. gorbachev was someone who tried to open up his country, give people more freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to criticise the authorities. undeeradimir putin, critical voices are being silenced. i don't know when... but how much do russians care? some of mr gorbachev�*s closest allies are starting to wonder. all of us perhaps overestimated the attractiveness of democratic ideas and the attractiveness of the ideas of human rights and rule of law to quite a few people in russia. apparently there are many people in this country for whom it these values are irrelevant. as for gorbachev�*s legacy, that is being destroyed by the invasion of ukraine, renewed east—west tension

and by the kremlin�*s crackdown on its opponents. some here believe that today's problems are gorbachev�*s fault. "he failed to stop the fall of the ussr, that was a huge mistake." marina says, "i respected him. to me, he was hope and freedom." his supporters hope that one day russians will come to see that mikhail gorbachev was a force for good for their country and for the world. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. i'm joined now by igor korchilov, who has worked as a personal interpreter for mikhail gorbachev for five years accompanying him on numerous summits. thank you very much forjoining us. you were with him on some close and personal discussions, particularly

around arms—control talks. what was it like to work with him? it around arms-control talks. what was it like to work with him?— it like to work with him? it was a treat it like to work with him? it was a great honour— it like to work with him? it was a great honour for _ it like to work with him? it was a great honour for me _ it like to work with him? it was a great honour for me and - it like to work with him? it was a great honour for me and i - it like to work with him? it was a great honour for me and i was i it like to work with him? it was a l great honour for me and i was very fortunate to have met him in my life, and work for him. so it was a pleasure always. and he was so different from the previous leaders. you were in the room when it happened on many of these conversations, how was mr gorbachev as a negotiator? he conversations, how was mr gorbachev as a negotiator?— as a negotiator? he was very tough but very fair- _ as a negotiator? he was very tough but very fair. he _ as a negotiator? he was very tough but very fair. he would _ as a negotiator? he was very tough but very fair. he would present - as a negotiator? he was very tough but very fair. he would present his| but very fair. he would present his arguments, try to win his opponents, whether reagan, bush or thatcher, to his side. and if he failed, he might move forward and concede that they were right. in other words, he was a fair but tough negotiator. did

were right. in other words, he was a fair but tough negotiator.— fair but tough negotiator. did you ever sensed _ fair but tough negotiator. did you ever sensed that _ fair but tough negotiator. did you ever sensed that this _ fair but tough negotiator. did you ever sensed that this may - fair but tough negotiator. did you ever sensed that this may not. ever sensed that this may not happen, the fall of the soviet union? were there times you thought it might survive? ida. union? were there times you thought it might survive?— it might survive? no, it happened so unexaeetedly. _ it might survive? no, it happened so unexpectedly, nobody _ it might survive? no, it happened so unexpectedly, nobody expected - it might survive? no, it happened so unexpectedly, nobody expected it i it might survive? no, it happened so unexpectedly, nobody expected it to | unexpectedly, nobody expected it to fall so quickly. but eventually, you see, it was bound to break up. look, it was a unitary state, not a federal, really. so many different nationalities with different interests. so that was very hard to keep them together, except by force, as was the case under stalin especially. but gorbachev, he let people, you know, expressed their thoughts and ideas freely. without having the fear of being persecuted or punished for the expression of

their opinions. that is something that unfortunately too many people in russia do not appreciate. in fact, many of them are ungrateful for what he has done for them, and accomplished. his foreign policy was very successful, unlike his domestic policy, where he ran into opposition and resistance on the part of many die—hard communist officials. so he alone could not keep it together, although he was fighting like a lion to keep it together.— although he was fighting like a lion to keep it together. thank you very much forjoining — to keep it together. thank you very much forjoining us. _

a report says serious human rights violations have been committed in china during the course of counterterrorism operations, and expresses concern over beijing's detention system. publication of the report had been delayed numerous times as it comes right at the end of michelle bachelet�*s four year term as the un human rights commissioner. accusations that ethnic uighur muslims in xinjiang have faced systematic abuse from the authorities have dominated her term as commissioner. beijing has dismissed the findings, saying openly that they are opposed to its publication. i am joined openly that they are opposed to its publication. iam joined by openly that they are opposed to its publication. i am joined by adrian who back in 2018 was the recipient of a leaked trove of documents detailing abuses by the chinese police in xinjiang. he is a senior fellow in chinese studies. welcome to the programme. i know you have just got a chance to start reading this, but what is your assessment so

far? i this, but what is your assessment so far? ~' , ., , far? ithinki understand, better late than never, _ far? ithinki understand, better late than never, why _ far? ithinki understand, better late than never, why the - far? ithinki understand, better| late than never, why the chinese were so concerned about this report and they actively tried to block it. they even tried to block the release today. the report for the united nations agency is very powerful. the report says allegations of torture and sexual violence are credible. it says there are serious human rights violations in the region. and it does say, even though it cannot verify any internment numbers, that a substantial share of the uighur and other minority populations were subjected to arbitrary detention. were there any surprises so far that you have seen in the report? i’ge you have seen in the report? i've onl had you have seen in the report? i've only had a _ you have seen in the report? i've only had a short _ you have seen in the report? i�*e: only had a short time to you have seen in the report? i�*”2 only had a short time to look at it, but so far, i'm very grateful... i know that the research team in the un in geneva writing the report was

very solid and well informed. what i've seen so far, i find to be very satisfying. the report says crimes against humanity may have been committed, and we have to understand it was not the job of the unhcr to assess questions of crimes against humanity, but i think it's going to be very powerful going forward to have this document, and i'm very grateful that beijing was not able to prevent its release. the authors ofthe to prevent its release. the authors of the report. _ to prevent its release. the authors of the report, western _ to prevent its release. the authors of the report, western diplomats l to prevent its release. the authors. of the report, western diplomats as well, saying that this report had been written quite some time ago. you indicated earlier that the chinese were trying to suppress it. why did it take so long for them to publish it? what was going on? i was told, and publish it? what was going on? i was told. and the — publish it? what was going on? i was told, and the un _ publish it? what was going on? i was told, and the un also _ publish it? what was going on? i —" told, and the un also said, they were waiting for michelle bachelet to visit xinjiang, and that visit

was delayed multiple times. terrible communication policy, they really should havejust communication policy, they really should have just said this all along, but they didn't say it until after her visit. and then it took a while to incorporate beijing's feedback. my concern was that beijing's feedback would die loot the report heavily, especially the conclusion. what i have read so far does not confirm these concerns of mine. —— would die you to the report. it includes the latest evidence from internal police files which were published in may this year, regarding the nature and scale of the internment campaign. it is clear that this evidence was integrated in the report. 50 clear that this evidence was integrated in the report. so what will happen _ integrated in the report. so what will happen to — integrated in the report. so what will happen to china? _ integrated in the report. so what will happen to china? we - integrated in the report. so what will happen to china? we have . integrated in the report. so what l will happen to china? we have had reports at before and there hasn't been any real punishment towards them. where do you see this moving forward? i them. where do you see this moving forward? ~ �* , ., .,

them. where do you see this moving forward? ~ �*, ., ., , ., forward? i think it's going to be a slow process- _ forward? i think it's going to be a slow process. european - forward? i think it's going to be a slow process. european countries including the european union, which has been very slow on this... a report like this gives diplomats and politicians something to refer to. it is seen as independent. michelle bachelet was not a china hawk. in that sense, that is now playing out as a favour for us, that she was not as a favour for us, that she was not a china hawk, she is seen as independent and her team released a report that i think contains a lot of good, strong statements, and that's going to be very useful. but i don't see a lot of immediate action happening. the diplomatic pressure on china is set to increase, but really, it is up to the diplomats and politicians to take up the batter, and leverage this new document. —— to take up the batten. this new document. -- to take up the batten. ., ~' ,, this new document. -- to take up the batten. ., ~ i. ., ., this new document. -- to take up the batten. . ~' i” ., ., ,

the jury in the trial of former welsh footballer ryan giggs has been discharged after failing to reach verdicts on any of the three charges he faced. giggs was accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour, and assaulting his ex—partner. he denied the charges. a lawyerfor the family of shamima begum, who was smuggled into syria by an intelligence agent for canada when she was 15 years old, is calling for an investigation into what the uk authorities knew. shamima begum left london seven years ago to join the islamic state militant group. a senior intelligence officer has confirmed that mohammed al rasheed was providing information to canadian intelligence while people—smuggling. international aid agencies are struggling to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by deadly floods in pakistan.

flash floods and landslides along the indus and kabul rivers have left more than 1,000 dead and 1,600 injured, with the southern districts of balochistan and sindh worst—affected. the un is calling the floods in pakistan "a monsoon on steroids" as flood waters continue to rise in some areas. these are latest pictures we have from the swat valley. as you can see, the streets are rivers. key infrastructure has crumbled and almost half of the country's cotton crop has washed away. 0ur correspondent sahar baloch is in badeen, in the south. these are some of the people who left their villages nearby and came here because the waterjust refuses to leave their homes. if you days before, it rained over here, and until then the water has not rained out. so people have made makeshift tents and they have literally based

themselves here. right now, the tents that they are using were given to them during the floods of 2010, 2011, so people were holding onto these and reusing them while they are waiting for people to provide help and aid. the pakistan army is providing relief, and apart from that, and other relief to the pakistani people. aircrafts have also reached karachi. it's a bit slow to come to the people, but it is on its way. the pakistan army came here with aid for the people. most of the aid being provided to the people are tents and some food and medicine, but these people want to move back to their homes.

you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. painting the town red in spain — the notorious tomatina festival returns after a covid—enforced absence. she received the nobel peace prize for her work with the poor and the dying in india's slums. the head of the catholic church said mother teresa was a wonderful example of how to help people in need. we have to identify the bodies, then arrange the coffins and take them back home. parents are waiting, and wives are waiting. hostages appeared — some carried, some running — trying to escape the nightmare behind them.

britain lost a princess today. described by all to whom she reached out as "irreplaceable", _ an early morning car crash - in a paris underpass ended a life with more than its share of pain and courage, - warmth and compassion. this is newsday on the bbc. 0ur headlines: in the uk, the final hustings meeting for the two candidates racing to succeed borisjohnson as conservative leader and prime minster took place on wednesday night. liz truss and rishi sunak appeared before a crowd of 6,000 party members at wembley arena in london. the results of the vote will be announced next monday. 0ur political editor chris mason reports.

the road to number ten through a long hot summer. posters and smiles, handshakes and photos. road trips of persuasion, running the country is the price. we are nearly there. by friday teatime, this contest will be over. no more votes will be able to be cast. but first, there is this, the vast wembley arena, between 5000-6000 the vast wembley arena, between 5000—6000 conservative members are expected here for the final and biggest hustings of them all. enter the long—standing favourite, this time next week, liz truss is likely to be prime minister. so what help would she offer you with your energy bills? {371 would she offer you with your energy bills? . ., , ., , , would she offer you with your energy bills? _, , ., , , ., bills? of course, and this will be a matter for— bills? of course, and this will be a matter for the _ bills? of course, and this will be a matter for the chancellor - bills? of course, and this will be a matter for the chancellor in - bills? of course, and this will be a matter for the chancellor in the i matter for the chancellor in the budget or fiscal event or whatever people like to call it, the chancellor would address the issue of household support. ila

chancellor would address the issue of household support.— of household support. no new detail about precisely _ of household support. no new detail about precisely what _ of household support. no new detail about precisely what that _ of household support. no new detail about precisely what that would - about precisely what that would amount to, though. and... in france, the talk amount to, though. and... in france, they talk about _ amount to, though. and... in france, they talk about the _ amount to, though. and... in france, they talk about the possibility - amount to, though. and... in france, they talk about the possibility of - they talk about the possibility of energy _ they talk about the possibility of energy rationing, and you will that out? _ energy rationing, and you will that out? |_ energy rationing, and you will that out? ., , , energy rationing, and you will that out?_ there _ energy rationing, and you will that out?_ there was - energy rationing, and you will that out?_ there was a - energy rationing, and you will that out?_ there was a clear. out? i do, yes. there was a clear romise out? i do, yes. there was a clear promise on _ out? i do, yes. there was a clear promise on tax. _ out? i do, yes. there was a clear promise on tax. can _ out? i do, yes. there was a clear promise on tax. can you - out? i do, yes. there was a clear promise on tax. can you say - out? i do, yes. there was a clear - promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips. — promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips. no _ promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips, no new— promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips, no new taxes - promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips, no new taxes in - promise on tax. can you say tonight, read my lips, no new taxes in your . read my lips, no new taxes in your administration?— read my lips, no new taxes in your administration? yes, no new taxes. this has been _ administration? yes, no new taxes. this has been a _ administration? yes, no new taxes. this has been a tough _ administration? yes, no new taxes. this has been a tough summer - administration? yes, no new taxes. this has been a tough summer for l administration? yes, no new taxes. i this has been a tough summer for the former chancellor rishi sunak, with the polls consistently suggesting he will lose. ., ~ the polls consistently suggesting he will lose. ., ,, , ., the polls consistently suggesting he will lose. ., ~' ~ , , the polls consistently suggesting he will lose-_ hel will lose. thank you, wembley! he had len will lose. thank you, wembley! he had plenty of _ will lose. thank you, wembley! he had plenty of support _ will lose. thank you, wembley! he had plenty of support here, - will lose. thank you, wembley! he | had plenty of support here, though, and appeared in a reflective, conciliatory mood. it likely defeat nowjust conciliatory mood. it likely defeat now just days away. conciliatory mood. it likely defeat nowjust days away. the conciliatory mood. it likely defeat nowjust days away.— conciliatory mood. it likely defeat nowjust days away. now 'ust days away. the two people who nowjust days away. the two people who inspired _ nowjust days away. the two people who inspired me _ nowjust days away. the two people who inspired me to _ nowjust days away. the two people who inspired me to enter— nowjust days away. the two people who inspired me to enter public- who inspired me to enter public service — who inspired me to enter public service are _ who inspired me to enter public service are actually _ who inspired me to enter public service are actually here - who inspired me to enter public. service are actually here tonight. my mum — service are actually here tonight. my mum and _ service are actually here tonight.

my mum and dad. _ service are actually here tonight. my mum and dad.— service are actually here tonight. my mum and dad. and, on the rival he sent the my mum and dad. and, on the rival he spent the summer _ my mum and dad. and, on the rival he spent the summer falling _ my mum and dad. and, on the rival he spent the summer falling out - my mum and dad. and, on the rival he spent the summer falling out with... l spent the summer falling out with... liz is a fantastic foreign secretary. _ liz is a fantastic foreign secretary, she - liz is a fantastic foreign secretary, she is- liz is a fantastic foreign secretary, she is a - liz is a fantastic foreign i secretary, she is a terrific ambassador— secretary, she is a terrific ambassador for— secretary, she is a terrific ambassador for our- secretary, she is a terrific. ambassador for our country secretary, she is a terrific- ambassador for our country and we all should — ambassador for our country and we all should pay— ambassador for our country and we all should pay her— ambassador for our country and we all should pay her an _ ambassador for our country and we all should pay her an enormous - all should pay her an enormous tribute. — all should pay her an enormous tribute, because _ all should pay her an enormous tribute, because she _ all should pay her an enormous tribute, because she is - all should pay her an enormous tribute, because she is a - all should pay her an enormous tribute, because she is a proud| all should pay her an enormous - tribute, because she is a proud and passionate — tribute, because she is a proud and passionate conservative. _ tribute, because she is a proud and passionate conservative. the - passionate conservative. the disagreements _ passionate conservative. tip; disagreements remain, passionate conservative.- disagreements remain, though. passionate conservative— disagreements remain, though. as prime minister, he might tell us to use less energy. taste prime minister, he might tell us to use less energy-— use less energy. we shouldn't rule out anything _ use less energy. we shouldn't rule out anything because _ use less energy. we shouldn't rule out anything because the - use less energy. we shouldn't rule i out anything because the challenges we face _ out anything because the challenges we face with— out anything because the challenges we face with this _ out anything because the challenges we face with this crisis _ out anything because the challenges we face with this crisis are _ we face with this crisis are significant _ we face with this crisis are significant-— we face with this crisis are siunificant. �* ,., , , ., significant. and so the hustings are now over, significant. and so the hustings are now over. and _ significant. and so the hustings are now over, and the _ significant. and so the hustings are now over, and the race _ significant. and so the hustings are now over, and the race will- significant. and so the hustings are now over, and the race will be - significant. and so the hustings are . now over, and the race will be soon. rishi sunak is the underdog, perhaps he had the edge this evening. i like her, i think— he had the edge this evening. i like her, i think she _ he had the edge this evening. i like her, i think she is _ he had the edge this evening. i like her, i think she is more _ he had the edge this evening. i like her, i think she is more steady and reliable _ her, i think she is more steady and reliable i— her, i think she is more steady and reliable. .., her, i think she is more steady and reliable. .. ., , her, i think she is more steady and reliable. .,, , reliable. i came here as somebody who wasn't — reliable. i came here as somebody who wasn't decided _ reliable. i came here as somebody who wasn't decided and _ reliable. i came here as somebody who wasn't decided and i'm - reliable. i came here as somebody who wasn't decided and i'm still i reliable. i came here as somebody. who wasn't decided and i'm still not decided _ who wasn't decided and i'm still not decided iust— who wasn't decided and i'm still not decided. , , ., ., who wasn't decided and i'm still not decided. , ., ., , who wasn't decided and i'm still not decided. , ., ., ., decided. just two more days for those who _ decided. just two more days for those who are _ decided. just two more days for those who are undecided - decided. just two more days for those who are undecided to - decided. just two more days for l those who are undecided to make decided. just two more days for - those who are undecided to make a decision and elect one of these two

on behalf of us all. the queen will appoint the next prime minister at balmoral in scotland instead of buckingham palace, in a rare break from tradition. in her 70 year reign as queen, she is 96, she has appointed all 1a new prime minister is at buckingham palace. it was previously announced that the queen would interrupt her stay at balmoral to meet with the new prime minister. life expectancy in the united states has fallen to its lowest level since 1996, driven largely by the covid—19 pandemic. government data shows the average american is now expected to live just over 76 years, compared to 79 only a few years ago. the fall in life expectancy is particularly pronounced in native americans and alaskan natives. the kenyan supreme court has begun hearing a challenge to the election of william bhutto as

the new president. lawyers for his rival, opposition leader ly 0dinga, argue there were problems with the vote count. as we turn the weather page from summer to autumn, it looks like nature is taking its cue, as well. big changes this weekend — there could be a bit of thundery rain around across much of the uk. not everyone will see it and potentialfor some strong winds, as well. the weather charts really scream autumn. area of low pressure which will develop around that, bands of heavy and thundery rain, and potentially little smaller areas of low pressure within it, which could bring bouts of even stronger winds. complete contrast to what we've got out there tonight.

into the morning, iightest winds across the northern half of the country, lowest of the temperatures down to 2—3 celsius. a bit more breezy to start the day in the south, 15—16 as we start the morning. could be a few distant rumbles of thunder towards the channel islands, maybe an isolated shower towards kent, too. most will be dry, a few showers in northeast england — but through the day, southern areas of england, wales, more cloud will develop and a few isolated showers of thunderstorms are likely. vast majority dry with the sunshine out, it's lighter winds — going to feel a bit warmer as we go through thursday, particularly so in scotland and northern ireland. into thursday evening and overnight, those showers and thunderstorms will break out a little bit more widely across the southern counties of england and wales. still very much well—scattered, hit and miss, many places staying dry, but it will start to feel a bit more humid and not quite as chilly across scotland and northern ireland either, to take us into friday. so this is the chart for friday — still some showers and thunderstorms around across the south, 1—2 showers breaking out elsewhere through the day, could be a sharp one, too. more likely, though, across parts of western scotland and northern ireland through the afternoon. the breeze picking up across northern scotland, compared with what we've seen through recent days, but a warm and humid one in the sunny spells,

even though there's a bit more cloud — temperatures 20—25. biggest changes will come this weekend — could see a zone of showery, thundery rain from southwest scotland, northern ireland, through towards east anglia. dry to the north of it with some strong winds, clearer slots to the south of it with some sunshine at times, but more in the way of heavy, thundery rain out in the west later. and the winds will be a feature on saturday to the west of the country, and more especially in the north — northwest scotland could see winds touch gale force at times. here, temperatures for saturday nice enough when the sun shines out — going to feel cooler, though, and the wind and where you have the rain. and, as i said, potential for more rain to come not just through sunday, but into monday, and any of these areas of low pressure that spin up, whilst a bit of uncertainty around them, they could bring some strong winds, too.

this is bbc news, i'm shaun ley with the latest headlines. serious human rights abuses have been committed in the chinese region of xinjiang. a team of un nuclear inspectors have arrived on the outskirts of zaporizhzia in ukraine. it's hoped they'll be able to carry out safety checks at the russian—held nuclear reactor complex in the coming days. the funeral for the last leader of the soviet union, mikhail gorbachev, will be held on saturday. vladimir putin acknowledged his huge impact on world history, but a kremlin spokesman said he had been too romantic about relations with the west. pakistan's national disaster management authority says rivers have reached very high flood levels, which are likely to continue rising over the next 2a hours.

those of the headlines.