this is bbc news. i'm rich preston. our top stories: cheering argentinianjoy — lionel messi leads his country into the world cup semi—finals after a dramatic penalty shoot out against the netherlands. but heartbreak for their south american rivals brazil — they are out, also after a penalty shoot out. cheering croatia's win over brazil puts them into a second successive world cup semi—final. in other news: the us says russia and iran are developing a full—scale defence partnership, with moscow offering support in return for drones to use against ukraine. russian opposition politician, ilya yashin, remains defiant in the face

of an 8.5—year sentence for commenting on the war in ukraine. following the arrest of the reichsburger coup plotters in germany, we have a special report on another group which rejects the legitimacy of the democratic government. and the sea cow, which has featured in folklore for thousands of years, is on the edge of extinction. hello and welcome to bbc news. it's been a dramatic day in the football world cup, in doha, as the first two quarter—finals ended in penalties. the favourites to win this year's tournament, brazil, have been kicked out after losing to croatia. they'll bejoined in the semi—finals by argentina who defeated the netherlands. tim allman has been watching the action.

crowd moans this was not part of the plan. despair in rio after brazil crashed out of the world cup. you can see from the looks on their faces, everyone here expected their team to go a lot further than just the quarter—finals. "the guys played very well, "but i think they lacked passion," said this fan, "unfortunately it ended in penalties. "this is very hard for us." translation: it was a silly mistake, - everyone went forward, there was a counter attack and this unfortunate thing happened. how different things look a little earlier when neymar put the brazilians ahead. this his 77th goal for his country, equalling the official record held by a someone called pele. but if brazil thought that was going to be that, they were wrong — bruno petkovic equalising with three minutes to go. so, to penalties and brazilian

fans may want to look away now. their first kick was saved, their last one hit the post. croatia pulling off another upset in a world cup that has been full of them. europe one, south america zero. but argentina were looking to change that. a first—half goal from nahuel molina putting them on their way. then a second—half penalty from lionel messi doubled their advantage. but two late goals from weghorst, one in the 11th minute of injury time, and we had the second penalty shoot—out of the day. this time, it was the europeans who came up short. emilio martinez saving from virgil van dijk and steven berghuis. so, it all came down to this, lautaro martinez scoring the decisive spot kick. joyous scenes for argentina. brazil's world cup dream may be over, but his is alive and kicking. tim allman, bbc news.

to buenos aires now, let's speak to dan edwards. he's the co—host of the argentinian football podcast the hand of pod. some tense moments and this was not easily won. has the blood pressure settle? an not easily won. has the blood pressure settle?— pressure settle? an absolute rollercoaster _ pressure settle? an absolute rollercoaster of _ pressure settle? an absolute rollercoaster of emotions - pressure settle? an absolute | rollercoaster of emotions this evening. brazil go out and very real consent that argentina might be going the same way. and then at the end, just that joyce seen, with martinez scoring and emilio martinez

saving penalties. you think at moments, when the momentum shift so and state decisively, it is so hard for a team to back and recover from that but what this argentinian team has going for it is they have such good team spirit, they were able to write it out and put it all the way. theyjust have the character to bring themselves and i think that says a lot for that team just as it did coming back from the first day defeat to saudi arabia. it is a team that wants to win and stay together. lip that wants to win and stay together-— that wants to win and stay touether. , . ., , ., together. up against croatia next. it was _ together. up against croatia next. it was a _ together. up against croatia next. it was a one _ together. up against croatia next. it was a one against . next. it was a one against penalties. when it comes to techniques and tactics, what does argentina have to consider in the match against them?

against croatia, we're going to see a similar game to what we saw today against the netherlands. croatia showed they are very disciplined and resolute stop perhaps not the team with the most dangerous potential but they held brazil at bay, then they got the goal when they needed to. no—one in argentina is going to take them lightly with memories of the crushing defeat in 2018. but if argentina play like they did today, and of course utilise messi who is having a fantastic tonic, they have a good chance. 0n tonic, they have a good chance. on friday night when you were in one ——in brazil, what was

the sense? about half—an—hour after the last penalty went in, the evidence open but during the evidence open but during the match, watching from my flat you hear every cry for the goal, every near miss it is a town and a country buenos aires living every single minute of this world cup, hinging on every twist and turn. i know they're going to be supporting them until the bitter end. thank you very much. so croatia into the semi finals for the second world cup in succession. wild celebrations across the country with even the prime ministerjoining in. translation: is brilliant generation _ translation: is brilliant generation of _ translation: is brilliant generation of croatian - translation: is brilliant - generation of croatian players led by our captain who has been

playing in spain, modric, and all the others, we had a subtle and i would say complimentary new young players who fit in the core of the team that was already forged back in russia four years ago so to welcome in a road to be in the semi—final and with the prospect of ending up and with the prospect of ending up in the final, it is a fantastic feeling for the entire croatian people and across the world, a very special state of good mood today. for brazil, this was a devastating defeat crashing out of a tournament many believed they could win. here's katy watson in sao paolo. you can hear the band has started up, musicians who presumably bugged to celebrate when going through to the semifinals but now you can see people sitting behind me, it is an unbelievable result for the brazilians. they were so convinced they were going to

win this game and go through to the final. i have never seen such confidence from a nation. football means everything to brazilians and especially after a difficult few years, politically suppose i and one woman who said brazil comes together with football, doesn't matter about class, politics or religion, brazil comes together when there is a world cup and they used to take the day off, nobody won't because foot while mattered so much but is that they have to find another team to support. i was talking to one couple who now say they will now be supporting croatia stop they've got it brazil and they are a good team to support. my partner has just rocked up to a kids party and it feels like they double booked it with a funeral. it will take days for that mood to left. —— left. let's get some of the day's other news: the us basketball player

brittney griner has been undergoing medical checks in a hospital in texas, after flying back home following her release from a russian prison. she was freed in exchange for the convicted russian arms dealer, viktor bout. russia's president vladimir putin has said further prisoner swaps with america could be possible if the two countries can continue to reach a compromise. a former minneapolis police officer who knelt on the back of an unarmed black man, george floyd, has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. j alexander kueng pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second—degree manslaughter in october. george floyd was killed by police in 2020 and his killing sparked a wave of demonstrations against racial injustice. the us political world has been shaken up for a second time this week, after democratic senator kyrsten sinema said she's switching her affiliation to independent. the news comes just days after the democrats secured a 51 to 49 seat majority in the upper chamber. sinema says her politics haven't changed and she won't align

with republicans. the united states and the united kingdom say russia and iran have strengthened their relationship into a fully—fledged defence partnership. the white house's national security spokesman, john kirby, says washington has seen reports the two countries are considering joint production of lethal drones. it comes as the us announced a new $275 million aid package to help boost ukraine's air defences, against russian drones in particular. joining us now is our news reporter azadeh moshiri. what do we need to know about this? , , ., , this? this is not the first time in _ this? this is not the first time in the _ this? this is not the first time in the united - this? this is not the first| time in the united states this? this is not the first. time in the united states or any western country has warned about the relationship between iran and russia. you might remember both the united states and ukraine had warned that iran was supplying russia with drones that it was using its aggression and invasion of ukraine. initially, iran denied this. latersaid ukraine. initially, iran denied this. later said they were

supplied before the invasion began. eitherway, supplied before the invasion began. either way, the accusations that the united states and the united kingdom are making are of much graver concern. they say not only do they have this military relationship but it has moved into this fully fledged defence partnership which is threatening not only ukraine, not only iran's regional neighbours but the entire international community as a whole. the united states saying that it a report that two countries are considering joint production of lethal drones. it is concerned iran is considering sending ballistic missiles to rush and it is worth listening what the uk ambassador highlighted. russia is now attempting _ ambassador highlighted. russia is now attempting to _ ambassador highlighted. russia is now attempting to obtain - is now attempting to obtain more — is now attempting to obtain more weapons, including hundreds of ballistic missiles,

in return— hundreds of ballistic missiles, in return - _ hundreds of ballistic missiles, in return — in return — russia is offering _ in return — in return — russia is offering iran an unprecedented level of military and technical support. we are concerned that russia intends to provide iran with more advanced military components, which _ advanced military components, which would allow iran to strengthen their weapons capability. strengthen their weapons capability-— strengthen their weapons caabili .~ ., , capability. what she is staying is there is _ capability. what she is staying is there is a _ capability. what she is staying is there is a concern _ capability. what she is staying is there is a concern - - capability. what she is staying is there is a concern - and - is there is a concern — and there are others saying it — they may be some sort of quid pro quo and that russia may perhaps in return consider offering iran some weapons, considering its strengthening the weapons capability which is a bigger concern for the region. a bigger concern for the re . ion. a bigger concern for the reuion. ., a bigger concern for the re . ion. ., ., a bigger concern for the reuion. ., ., , ., , region. the other iran star is the continuing _ region. the other iran star is i the continuing anti-government the continuing anti—government demonstrations. the continuing anti-government demonstrations.— demonstrations. what is the latest? marches _ demonstrations. what is the latest? marches and - demonstrations. what is the | latest? marches and protests have continued after the execution of a 23—year—old. the

first execution that the islamic republic conducted of a protester and it is really an inflection point here because by the islamic republic is hoping this is going to start is barring fear, there are 11 other people facing the death penalty right now and that perhaps this will deter protesters but so far there are still people on the street, shunting death to the dictator, a reference to the supreme leader who is facing his own problems closer to home. his sister has publicly disavowed him and his niece has now been sentenced to three years in prison because you said last month that government should be cutting ties with iran. it is an inflection point for sure. thank you. a leading opposition politician in russia has beenjailed for speaking out about russian war crimes in ukraine. ilya yashin told his supporters not to worry about him as he was led away for his eight and a half year sentence.

from moscow, steve rosenberg reports. handcuffed and locked inside a glass cage as if a dangerous criminal. but ilya yashin is a russian politician, a fierce critic of vladimir putin. he had been put on trial for talking publicly about evidence of russian atrocities in the ukrainian town of bucha. thejudge convicted him of spreading fake news about the russian army and sent him to prison for 8.5 years. "don't worry," he told his supporters, "it's ok." shouting. outside the courthouse, "freedom," they shout. but just a tiny few. perhaps this is why. eight years of prison is a lot. some people that murder someone may get less. so it's understandable why not many voices you hear now like yashin's one.

the trial that has now ended here reflects the growing wave of repression in russia since vladimir putin invaded ukraine. the message from the kremlin to its critics, to its opponents, is clear — "stay silent." later, vladimir putin was asked for his reaction to the 8.5—year prison sentence. "isn't that brutal?", asks the journalist. the president's reply: "casting doubt on the decision of a court is inappropriate." in a statement, ilya yashin said this: "strong leaders are calm and confident. "0nly weak ones try to silence people." steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. this is bbc news. the latest headlines:

argentina and croatia will meet in the semi—final of the football world cup in doha. both teams prevailed in penalty shootouts in matches against the netherlands and brazil. the us says russia and iran are developing a full—scale defence partnership, with moscow offering support in return for drones to use against ukraine. police in bangladesh say two leaders of the main opposition party, the bangladesh national party, have been charged with inciting and planning attacks on the police, including the use of crude bombs. it comes ahead of a mass anti—government rally being planned by the party in the capital dhaka. 0ur correspondent rajini vaidyanathan has this report. gunfire. a show of force on the streets of dhaka. a government long accused of trying to silence its critics, clamping down on the opposition ahead of their mass protest, arresting hundreds. for these families,

it is all too familiar. they say their relatives were also rounded up by security forces — brothers, sons, husbands and fathers, supporters of the opposition who have been missing for years, like this political organiser. this woman says her brother was abducted in 2013. she still wants answers. if they deny that law enforcement agency has not abducted them, who has abducted them? it also lies to them, the government, to find out, where are the citizens? we put sanjida and other families' concerns to the foreign minister. he said un figures on enforced disappearances are not accurate. unfortunately, the un collected those informations from some quarters who are politically motivated and they have a habit of magnifying things and they have a habit of doctoring information.

we have spoken to families who say that their husbands or their brothers, their fathers, were taken away. are you saying they are not telling the truth? we would welcome them to come to us, tell their true story. bangladesh's prime minister sheikh hasina has dismissed accusations her government is responsible for human rights abuses. we have spoken to a number of people who have shared allegations of violence and intimidation by the security forces. many of them say they are too scared to go on camera for fear of reprisal. shafikul islam kajol�*s story is one reason why. he says he was tortured in an underground detention cell, handcuffed and blindfolded for more than 50 days before he was released. the journalist says it was after he published an investigation into government officials. bangladesh's home minister says it is all untrue. translation: they asked me

why i wrote the story. - i was tortured and interrogated for hours at a time. it was horrible. ahead of saturday's protest, a beefed up presence on the streets. bangladesh's government says the country is a beacon of democracy. what happens tomorrow will be another test of that promise. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. the "reichsburger" movement in germany was catapulted into the headlines this week, after 25 members and their aristocrat leader were arrested in coordinated raids by anti—terror police. they're accused of plotting to storm the german parliament and overthrow the government. they're part of a growing number of people in germany who refuse to accept the country's post—war government as legitimate. 0ur berlin correspondent jenny hill went to visit one such group, whose self—declared "independent kingdom" in the east of germany even has its own currency.

deep in the german countryside, an invisible border. we're stepping into the self—proclaimed kingdom of germany, and i've come to meet the king. a sign on the door tells us we're now temporarily his subjects. peter i, as he likes to be known, has minted his own currency, made his own laws and recruited around 5,000 citizens. why? translation: the german system is fascism and satanism. _ people who are corrupt, criminal or willing to be used thrive in it, and those with an honest heart who want to change the world for the better, for the common good, don't have a chance. the kingdom is expanding, buying up land, building outposts. we visited one of its newest colonies. we're told about 30 people live here.

they don't pay german taxes, won't send their children to school, plan their own healthcare system. and they don't observe german laws. benjamin, who speaks for the community, lives here with his young family. translation: if someone lives on german territory, _ of course he is subject to its laws. that's fine. but if someone has practically no connection to germany and spends his life in the kingdom, then our laws apply. the people we have been speaking to are known as reichsburger, "citizens of the reich". the name may sound familiar. just a few days ago, several reichsburger were arrested for allegedly planning the violent overthrow of the german government. the people we have met in the kingdom of germany say they have no violent intentions. nevertheless, the country's intelligence agencies say they do represent a threat, because they peddle conspiracy theory and extremist ideology.

not true, says the king. but he's found a new audience — those who deny covid, reject the vaccine. and he's planning a tv channel. many dismissed reichsburger — the kingdom of germany was a bit of a joke. germany is learning to take them seriously. jenny hill, bbc news, eibenstock. conservation experts say the "sea cow" — a marine mammal that inspired tales of mermaids is being driven to the edge of extinction. according to an update of the international union for the conservation of nature's red list, the dugong is almost wiped out in some parts of the world. 0ur science correspondent victoria gill sent this report from the un biodiversity conference in montreal, where the latest findings were revealed. the red list is something no creature wants to be on the

question of nature revealed the latest update to this list here at the biodiversity talks in montreal. it laid out what conservationists have called a barrage of threat to marine species are facing unsustainable fishing and by catch, poaching, criminal networks, pollution, climate change, disease. the networks, pollution, climate change, disease.— change, disease. the pillow coral found _ change, disease. the pillow coral found throughout - change, disease. the pillow coral found throughout the l coral found throughout the caribbean is now deemed critically endangered, threatened by pollution and warming seas. many species live and feed on these corals. dugong, a large grazing marine mammal is now on the brink of extinction, with drawling, and pollution wrecking of habitat. what is happening here in montreal aims to turn this around by agreeing a global deal to protect nature. indigenous people, many of whom live in some of the most bio diverse places on earth, i here to remind all of those countries that their rights are a fundamental part of that. where we are able to protect our territories and practice

our territories and practice our traditional livelihoods, thatis our traditional livelihoods, that is where nature domains and biodiversity remains. so these are hot spots that are left. ., , these are hot spots that are left. .,, , ., , left. the most bio diverse areas are _ left. the most bio diverse areas are indigenous - left. the most bio diverse - areas are indigenous people and local_ areas are indigenous people and local communities' areas. places _ local communities' areas. places where they live. not places _ places where they live. not places where guards are wearing uniforms — places where guards are wearing uniforms and guns to guard, no. that— uniforms and guns to guard, no. that is— uniforms and guns to guard, no. that is where people live, because _ that is where people live, because then they know the value — because then they know the vaiue of— because then they know the value of this biodiversity, and that— value of this biodiversity, and that is— value of this biodiversity, and that is why they live in harmony with it. there are almost two _ harmony with it. there are almost two weeks - harmony with it. there are almost two weeks left - harmony with it. there are almost two weeks left of l harmony with it. there are i almost two weeks left of this negotiations, but there are any some concerns that there was a lot of division remaining between all the countries, particularly how to pay the protection of biodiversity. with 1 protection of biodiversity. with1 million species now facing extinction according to the un, this is being called a last chance for the natural world. much more on that story on the bbc news website or the bbc news app. you can reach me on twitter.

i'm @richpreston. thanks for your company, we will see you next time. hello there. it does look like this cold spell is here to stay for the foreseeable future. we are likely to see further spells of rain, sleet and snow. some significant accumulations towards the second part of the weekend in one or two areas. we will start to see increasing amounts of freezing fog developing as the winds will turn lighter, particularly across england and wales. bitterly cold start to the weekend then, as you can see from these temperatures, even more in a few spots, maybe down to —9 in a few spots, watch out for ice first thing around northern and western coastal areas. it is here where we are likely to see the wintry showers continuing throughout the day. elsewhere, there will be a lot of wintry sunshine around.

we could see this area of snow becoming heavier and more persistent across the north—east. and the east of scotland through the day, some significant accumulations of snow, certainly over the grampians. temperatures range from freezing to around 4 or 5. another very cold day to come, temperatures below par for the time of year. through saturday night, it stays icy, northern and western areas where we have had this rubbish, this area also continues, drifts south into southern scotland, particularly towards the borders perhaps up to the very far north—north—east of england. again, a widespread sharp frost across the uk. temperatures down to around —7 or —8 in a few places. into sunday, we need to keep an eye on this weak area of low pressure, this is developing towards the south—east quadrant of england. that could develop thicker cloud and even some sleet and snow, particularly later in the day, which could affect parts of the south—east and east anglia. elsewhere, another bright day on sunday. however, areas start with some freezing fog could stay quite grey and very cold through the day.

parts of east wales, the midlands and eastern england, so no higher than freezing here, elsewhere 1—4. for sunday evening and sunday night, we could see that area of sleet and snow affect the south—east, could see some significant accumulations in the south downs. there could be some disruption in places for monday morning across the south—east. stay tuned to the forecast as this might change. elsewhere, largely clear, another very cold night to come, wintry showers around coastal areas. you can see the upcoming week, it is remaining cold all areas will stay very cold, temperatures below the seasonal norm.

this is bbc news, the headlines: argentina are through to the last four of the football world cup, after beating the netherlands in a penalty shoot—out. they'll face croatia in the semi—final, who knocked out the favourites brazil in another penalty shootout. croatia's win puts them into a second successive world cup semi—final. the united states says russia and iran are transforming their relationship into a fully—fledged defence partnership, with serious consequences for ukraine, and for iran's neighbours. the us national security spokesman, john kirby, said iran is supplying hundreds of drones that have been used to attack ukraine's infrastructure. a leading russian opposition politician has given a defiant response to an 8.5—year prison sentence for comments related to the war in ukraine.