england won the toss and chose to bowl but struggled for wickets, the tourists making 339—5 by the close on day one. steve smith is unbeaten on 85. there were extraordinary scenes just after the start of play, when protestors invaded the pitch. heres�* our sports correspondentjoe wilson in truth, no one saw the presence of climate change processes just after one over. getting on the field of play and close of the wicked itself. close to the middle where they spread some orange powder. it was cleaned up quickly. alarming, perhaps, notably that it was the england players who dispersed those players. barstow is a strong lead,

he is a wicked keeper, he's not supposed to be security. in terms of the cricket, england put australia into the back, hoping the conditions would help their bowlers. they didn't take advantage of it. david warner, dropped on 20, went on to make 66. the platform for agenda when was the sum of all cheaply in the process they were cashed in here today. it was joe the process they were cashed in here today. it wasjoe root of the process they were cashed in here today. it was joe root of all the process they were cashed in here today. it wasjoe root of all people who struck late on with two weeks to wickets in particular to bring england into the matchjust wickets in particular to bring england into the match just a wickets in particular to bring england into the matchjust a bit. it did not go as england planned here today on day two, perhaps, we should still expect the unexpected. let's stay with the test , and hearfrom the england fast bowlerjosh tongue, who took two wickets on his ashes debut. i think the new ball is crucial. the first 30 minutes i would say, make sure to hit the good line and length. the ball is still doing a

tiny bit but trying to stay patient as we can and get wickets as they come. arsenal have completed the signing of chelsea's kai havertz. the 24—year—old german forward has signed a long term contract with the gunners with the transfer fee believed to be in the region of £65 million. he had three seasons at chelsea, scoring the winner against manchester city in the 2021 champions league final. england's under—21's have made it three wins out of three at the european championship. they beat germany 2—0. cameron archer and harvey elliott with the goals in georgia. they play portugal in the quarterfinals on sunday. germany have failed to qualify israel go through as well in that group. their planning group d. the french have drawn against the swiss. they have already qualified the french. it's and norway currently tied. 0ne french. it's and norway currently tied. one will go through.

megan rapinoe say the womens world cup in australia and new zealand that starts next month will be a transformational moment in women's sport... her usa team has won the last two tournaments but the 2019 edition was overshadowed by their dispute over equal pay with their own federation.. the sort of accessible cognitive dissonance and denial of what we actually are and i think those days are pretty much long gone. that would quite be a tough and embarrassing position to keep. this looks like a paradigm shift and moment that you think you will look back and say nothing would be the same after this women's world cup, i think everyone is pushing in the right direction and same direction now and the sky is the limit from here. and that's all the sport for now.

thank you 0lly foster. let's turn to iraq now and 20 years since us troops invaded iraq, and after years of fighting against terrorism and corruption, the country's president says iraq is now turning a new page. in his first english—speaking tv interview since taking office in october, president abdul latif rashid spoke to me about the new period of relative peace and stability that iraq is enjoying. he says the country is now is focused on tackling important issues like climate change, regional security and global investment. i think ithink any i think any investment, especially foreign investment, there are a few important factors. first is affordability, according the our programme, there are lots of opportunities to invest in a wreck.

secondly safety and security in the country. i am glad to report that iraq is enjoying a period of peace, safety and security for investors. there are other factors which really encourage investors to modify our rules and revelations in regard to the procedures of financial transfer and at the same time fiscal policy and at the same time fiscal policy and improving certain rules and regulations which are attached to investors and the banking system. the government is very serious to take actions around all these lines and i want to report the security of iraq is good and a wreck has been enjoying a period of safety and security for the last few years. what about corruption? there has been over many years, and a worry about the level of corruption in

iraq. a news archives of a news article said the system of corruption and political patronage is entrenched and has stifled any reform intense for the past 20 years. what are you doing to address this? ., , ., , ., years. what are you doing to address this? ., , ., , ., , this? corruption is a disease in any society and — this? corruption is a disease in any society and it's _ this? corruption is a disease in any society and it's a _ this? corruption is a disease in any society and it's a serious _ this? corruption is a disease in any society and it's a serious disease. l society and it's a serious disease. we have to fight it and we have to really put laws and enforce these laws against corruption. we have taken serious actions. i know there are reports from outside and occasionally dimension corruption in iraq. iraq is not the only country that faces corruption. it's all over the world. in iraq, we have taken very serious steps, we have announced all the steps taken because we want to act seriously on corruption. and i want to mention that corruption, for the last year or two,

that corruption, for the last year ortwo, has that corruption, for the last year or two, has decreased in iraq and there are serious government policies to abandon and to take action against corruption in other departments and ministries and all government activities. let’s departments and ministries and all government activities.— government activities. let's talk about foreign — government activities. let's talk about foreign policy _ government activities. let's talk about foreign policy note - government activities. let's talk about foreign policy note mr- about foreign policy note mr president. it's a difficult balancing act for a and maintain meaningful bilateral relationships with iran but also keep keep the united states happy by ensuring that iraq doesn't facilitate the violation of us sanctions against iraq? how are you currently trying to maintain that balance between the two? i’m to maintain that balance between the two? �* ., to maintain that balance between the two? �* . ., to maintain that balance between the two? �* ., ., ., to maintain that balance between the two?�* ., �* , two? i'm glad to say and i'm very ha - to two? i'm glad to say and i'm very happy to see _ two? i'm glad to say and i'm very happy to see that _ two? i'm glad to say and i'm very happy to see that our— two? i'm glad to say and i'm very happy to see that our balance - happy to see that our balance of relationship is good with every country. we have very good and strong relationships with the united states and at the same time, we have very good relationships with iran,

which is our largest neighbour. and we have been in good relationships with the united states right from the beginning. even up before 2003, not iraqi government, iraqi opposition groups, and at the same time with iran, continuous relationships with iran, and i paid official visit to iran recently and we outline our relationships with every country. it is based on iraqi independence and beneficial contacts between the two countries or any countries which we have. not only the united states and iran, we have good relationships with all regional countries and good relations with the european countries. i don't exclude any country to have good relationships.— relationships. forgive me, mr president. — relationships. forgive me, mr president, but _ relationships. forgive me, mr president, but the _ relationships. forgive me, mr president, but the problem i relationships. forgive me, mr. president, but the problem with iran, is that you may have good

relations with them but the united states does not at the moment. does that not complicate things for you given iran's influence in iraq? it hasn't complicate in more than any other country. we have good relationship with the united states and we are in touch with the united states, and we are in touch with them on every step. at the same time, we are keeping good relationship with iran and other countries in the region. let’s relationship with iran and other countries in the region. let's talk about iran _ countries in the region. let's talk about iran and _ countries in the region. let's talk about iran and egypt, _ countries in the region. let's talk about iran and egypt, because i countries in the region. let's talk i about iran and egypt, because there are reports that iraq will hold meetings between iranian and egyptian officials western mark is there truth between that? and how will that benefit iraq? we there truth between that? and how will that benefit iraq?— will that benefit iraq? we hope to imrove will that benefit iraq? we hope to improve relationships _ will that benefit iraq? we hope to improve relationships with - will that benefit iraq? we hope to improve relationships with every. improve relationships with every country in the region and we have played a part in improving relationship. i think the best example is the relationship between iran and saudi arabia and, at the

same time, the relationship between other countries. i think a good relationship between our regional countries and even outside the region, is for everyone's benefit. i think tensions and challenges don't lead to good relationships between the different countries. i think we can solve all our problems through dialogue, through consultation, and through improving relationships. [30 through improving relationships. do you think that was key then? how important was it that iran and saudi arabia started that refreshment with each other? it’s arabia started that refreshment with each other? �* , ,., . ., arabia started that refreshment with each other? �*, . ., , each other? it's important not 'ust for the two — each other? it's important not 'ust for the two countries i each other? it's important not 'ust for the two countries but i each other? it's important not 'ust for the two countries but for h each other? it's important notjust for the two countries but for the i for the two countries but for the region. it's important for erect and the countries in the region. i think good relationships between our regional countries is the benefit of all countries.— all countries. let's talk about the ira . i all countries. let's talk about the iraqi population _ all countries. let's talk about the iraqi population and _ all countries. let's talk about the iraqi population and the - all countries. let's talk about the | iraqi population and the problems they now face for people who live in

a country. iraq is no considered the fifth most vibrant country in the world for the climate crisis according to the un. suffering a drought in many parts causing insecurity and displacement for many people. what is the government doing to try and change the effects of the drought which have been severe in many areas of the country? i fullyt many areas of the country? i fully a . ree many areas of the country? i fully agree with _ many areas of the country? i fully agree with you- — many areas of the country? i fully agree with you. drought - many areas of the country? i fully agree with you. drought and - many areas of the country? i iii,ii.ii.}' agree with you. drought and climate change is affecting almost every country in the area, and we are having our share of it. the government is very serious about it. we have taken serious actions regarding improvement of our water system and dialogue with our neighbouring countries, and, furthermore, the most important factor, is to improve our water system in a rack. we are taking very serious actions but i agree with you, we suffered under climate change. we should have suffered

shortage of water and the basic reason for not tackling these problems was we suffered from the terror attacks and conflicts in iraq for a long period of time but the governments programme is very clear and we are taking a serious decisions, and serious actions, to improve the water system in iraq and fight the drought other factors which are related to it.- fight the drought other factors which are related to it. let's talk about some _ which are related to it. let's talk about some other— which are related to it. let's talk about some other foreign - which are related to it. let's talk about some other foreign affairs| about some other foreign affairs happening globally right now. in particular, what is happening in russia, we saw huge unrest over the weekend in russia. what is your reaction to everything that happened over the weekend in russia? weill. over the weekend in russia? well, erect has suffered _ over the weekend in russia? well, erect has suffered a _ over the weekend in russia? well, erect has suffered a long _ over the weekend in russia? vii erect has suffered a long period of time of conflict, war, internal war, outside work, so we are anti—war in every part of the world. so our

message and advice, and our recommendation, is this war should be stopped and dialogue should start to solve the problem between these two countries because of this war is affecting everybody in the world. it's affecting european countries, and our countries, and it's affecting, probably, most of the economies in the world. iraq affecting, probably, most of the economies in the world.- economies in the world. iraq is uuite economies in the world. iraq is quite different _ economies in the world. iraq is quite different to _ economies in the world. iraq is quite different to many - economies in the world. iraq is l quite different to many countries globally right now because it is trying, to a large extent, to strengthen relationships with russia during a time where it is that an aggressor against ukraine. weill. during a time where it is that an aggressor against ukraine. well, we are t in: aggressor against ukraine. well, we are trying to — aggressor against ukraine. well, we are trying to really _ aggressor against ukraine. well, we are trying to really improve - aggressor against ukraine. well, we are trying to really improve our- are trying to really improve our relationship, iraqi relationship, with every country. as i say, we are friendly with every country in the world and we are saying that message to every country in the world. that does not stop us from still recommending our ideas that stop the

war, it doesn't help anybody and consummates matters and this war is going to stop one day in the future, the sooner it stops, the better for everybody. the international community should put pressure on these two countries, to stop the war and stop the conflict and start negotiation and i'm sure even at the end through negotiation, both countries would achieve their demands or come to some realisations of improving relationship. mr president, do you see parallels, like some people have written about recently, between the invasion of ukraine by russia and the invasion of iraq by the us—led forces of 20 years ago? i of iraq by the us-led forces of 20 years ago?— years ago? i think those are different circumstances. - years ago? i think those are| different circumstances. the years ago? i think those are - different circumstances. the united states, when they came to erect, i don't consider it an invasion. i think the iraqi population, all the

machinations, other religious groups, wanted to get rid of dictatorships. because a dictatorships. because a dictatorship in erect challenge the international community and people and regional comp countries. so the circumstances are different. i think maybe a few individuals who were attached to the saddam hussein and the dictatorship but there wasn't any group, any political group or any group, any political group or any section of iraqi society was not against saddam hussein and not axing for help to get rid of them. it’s for help to get rid of them. it's 'ust for help to get rid of them. it's just been _ for help to get rid of them. it's just been over 20 years since the us—led forces entered iraq and evaded invaded iraq, do you and the iraqi people think that was the right thing to do? i iraqi people think that was the right thing to do?— right thing to do? i think, as i said, right thing to do? i think, as i said. we _ right thing to do? i think, as i said, we asked _ right thing to do? i think, as i said, we asked for _ right thing to do? i think, as i said, we asked for the - right thing to do? i think, as i - said, we asked for the international community to help iraq, to get rid

of the dictatorship. that wasn't a secret message. it was an open message. 0ur secret message. it was an open message. our entire iraqi oppositions, and populations, were seeking international help to get rid of saddam hussein. during the implement commission implementation of this programme, obviously, there were achievements and at the same time there were some mistakes made. and, hopefully, in the future, we correct these mistakes and we are in a better position to realise what was the right thing to do in iraq and what was not at the same time implemented in the way we wanted it. that's the resident of erect president abdul latif rashid speaking to me. to discuss the interview, i am joined by randa slim, a senior fellow at the middle east institute. thank you for taking the time to speak to us. ice felt that out of

his answers were very diplomatic in the way he was speaking. he didn't really give a massive amount away on many issues, particularly on the issue of iran, which has been a thorny one so far as the us is concerned. thorny one so far as the us is concerned-— thorny one so far as the us is concerned. �* , , , �* , concerned. he's the president. it's more of a — concerned. he's the president. it's more of a ceremonial— concerned. he's the president. it's more of a ceremonial post - concerned. he's the president. it's more of a ceremonial post and - concerned. he's the president. it's more of a ceremonial post and he | concerned. he's the president. it's i more of a ceremonial post and he has to be aware of all the political difficulties and challenges that exist both for him and for the post of presidency in iran. i agree with you, iran is a big issue. they have a large border, they are historical, religion goes religious, cultural ties between the two countries but that assumes time we have seen in 2019, we have had large portions of iraqi youth burned the irani

consulate. i think the political space in iraq is not as welcoming, or strictly controlled by iran as it used to be. it's becoming increasingly politically contested space by saudi arabia, egypt, jordan, there are a beanie neighbours, and the us. if jordan, there are a beanie neighbours, and the us. if you look at that in terms _ neighbours, and the us. if you look at that in terms of _ neighbours, and the us. if you look at that in terms of the _ neighbours, and the us. if you look at that in terms of the relationshipl at that in terms of the relationship between saudi arabia and iran, the potential relationship between egypt and iran, the geopolitical changes that could bring about and particularly changes for erect. yes. particularly changes for erect. yes, an kind of poland, of course, and the baltic states. , particularly changes for erect. yes, an kind particularly changes for erect. yes, any kind of— particularly changes for erect. yes, any kind of— particularly changes for erect. ye: any kind of rapprochement between saudi arabia and iran, is good for erect anything between iran and other neighbours is good for erect. erect has always suffered when there's been tensions between the

united states and iran that during the trump administration, between iran and saudi arabia. any bets or relationship between these former conflicted parties in the region but also outside the region is good news for erect. it removes the threats of iraq being at for these parties to wage their conflicts and disputes on iraqi territory. wage their conflicts and disputes on iraqi territory-— iraqi territory. interesting that the end when _ iraqi territory. interesting that the end when i _ iraqi territory. interesting that the end when i asked - iraqi territory. interesting that the end when i asked him i iraqi territory. interesting that the end when i asked him if i iraqi territory. interesting that| the end when i asked him if he believed are the iraqi people believed are the iraqi people believed the us—led invasion was the right thing to do but so is clearly a diplomatic answer to give, but one would wonder many people don't agree with that, do they?— with that, do they? correct. also, his answer— with that, do they? correct. also, his answer is _ with that, do they? correct. also, his answer is correct. _ with that, do they? correct. also, his answer is correct. you - with that, do they? correct. also, his answer is correct. you had i with that, do they? correct. also, i his answer is correct. you had large suites of the iraqi population, the shi'ites and the kurds, who suffered

a lot during the saddam m dictatorship years and whether its external opposition or people inside, we know that kurds and shieh but suny also during the years i consider them and so the invasion, it is an invasion, it is an occupation, no matter how he wants to reframe its. it is an invasion but unlike in the case of ukraine, in iraq you had a dictatorship, years of oppression by this dictator and killing. you had genocide committed against the kurds, with the use of chemical weapons so this is not the case in ukraine. ukraine you have a democratically elected president and any population that pretty much supported the current president. pretty much supported the current resident. ,., ., ., pretty much supported the current resident. ., . ,, ., president. good to talk to was alwa s president. good to talk to was always randa _ president. good to talk to was always randa slim, _ president. good to talk to was always randa slim, thank i president. good to talk to was always randa slim, thank you| president. good to talk to was i always randa slim, thank you very much. ., ~ always randa slim, thank you very much. . ,, i.

breaking news to bring you, madonna has postponed her tour after falling very ill and staying in intensive care for several days. her manager ublished care for several days. her manager published the _ care for several days. her manager published the following _ care for several days. her manager published the following on - care for several days. her manager published the following on his i published the following on his instagram account tonight saying that on saturday the 24th, madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which led to several days stay in the icu, her health is improving however she is still under medical care. a full recovery is expected but at this time we will need to pause all commitments, which include the tour. we will share more details with you as soon as we have them, including a new start date for them, including a new start date for the tour and fort rescheduled shows. that is a statement on instagram by her talent manager. it looks like madonna has been extremely ill and has had to stay in intensive care after what he describes as a serious bacterial infection. we don't have

any more details on the story other than we know that the tour which she had been planning, which had been publicised across the board, has now been delayed. 0f publicised across the board, has now been delayed. of course, madonna has very much been front and centre of the world of pop. she is a tireless in the way she has continued, at 64 years old, believe it or not, at 64 years old, believe it or not, at 64 years old, believe it or not, at 64 years old, to tour and produce new music. to be very much part of pop world if you like. herforthcoming celebrations were was supposed to start in vancouver on the 15th of july. we are now no clearer as to when that was start was up we've just been told by her talent manager on instagram that at this time we will need to pause all commitments, which include that tour. just to

reiterate, madonna has developed a serious bacterial infection. she stayed for several days in icu, intensive care, we heard her health is improving but she still under medical care and that means that her tour which was new to start on the 15th ofjuly, the celebrations or, has been postponed in terms of its start date. we would bring you more on that story as and when we get it here on bbc news. let's move on. two illegal moneylenders have told the bbc in rare interviews that people are increasingly seeking their services to pay for essentials as the cost of living remains high. it comes as a new report from non profit fair4all finance suggests that the potential client base could be expanding rapidly. and co—founder of we fight fraud, which was involved in the study. tell us more about what we phones.

we conducted a study towards the end of last year, the last six months of 2022. we looked in preston and surrounding areas, glasco, porthole and wales and south london, and what we found was an expansion of we may consider the demographic of people and the baltic states. lending from illegal lenders. traditionally, people on welfare benefits, not full—time employment, maybe with health issues and other things that make them more vulnerable average in loans with illegal lenders. what this research front was that the average wage of people who are currently lended from illegal lenders during the study was around 20 to £25,000 per year and because of that many of them told us they were in part—time work or full—time work much more than they

had ever been before. not only were people concerned about the cost of living crisis but people who hadn't ever had to borrow from illegal lenders before were not making the decision to borrow from illegal lenders or loan sharks sharks. what lenders or loan sharks sharks. what im act lenders or loan sharks sharks. what impact does — lenders or loan sharks sharks. what impact does this _ lenders or loan sharks sharks. what impact does this have _ lenders or loan sharks sharks. what impact does this have on _ lenders or loan sharks sharks. what impact does this have on people? lenders or loan sharks sharks. what i impact does this have on people? the im act impact does this have on people? iie: impact varies. impact does this have on people? "iie: impact varies. for impact does this have on people? i““ie: impact varies. for some impact does this have on people? iie: impact varies. for some people it's a matter of fact. they haven't got, or feel like they haven't got any choice to borrow from illegal vendors. there aren't any viable credit options in the market. if you that they've been turned on for credit and fuel as the indians did from the financial system so they do this because they feel like they have no choice. the consequences can be sear for your impacts on their mental health, some people have threats of physical or sexual violence, or other really harmful activities if they didn't pay the money back. the crushing pressure of the debt also. before people turn to

illegal lenders they are often already in debt and that's why they've moved to an illegal vendor. thank you nicola harding, an important story to get across people. you're watching the context on bbc news. i am i am mushy or it back after a short break. hello there. there has been a lot of cloud around today, cloudy skies at lord's for the test match. some parts of england, though, have seen some sunshine coming through. for example, here in hampshire, it's been very muggy and very warm across many parts of england. scotland and northern ireland will be turning cooler and fresher with some sunshine around, mind you. that sunshine followed the rain that we started the day with. and this band of rain has been quite heavy as it's pushed across scotland, had a few thunderstorms in northern england. the rain is becoming more fragmented. it's going to squeeze down through the midlands, head to the southeast of england and across east anglia later,

and still a few heavy bursts of rain in there as well. clearer skies will continue to follow from the west. a few more showers along the west coast of scotland, but a chillier night for scotland and northern ireland. single figure temperatures here, much warmer and still quite humid across east anglia and the southeast because we've still got rain around first thing tomorrow on that weather front there. it does shuffle away, and then we'll introduce this westerly breeze that will bring cooler and fresher air for all of us tomorrow. but that rain will hang around into the morning across east anglia and the southeast, then it will clear away, and then it'll be sunny spells, a few showers for a while in northern ireland, pushing eastwards across scotland and the odd shower likely across england and wales, although many places here will probably be dry in the afternoon. temperature—wise not too impressive, despite the sunshine, it is cooler air. so 18—19 celsius quite widely, a bit below par, really, for this time of the year. weather�*s coming in from the atlantic, keeping this unsettled theme going. more weatherfronts bringing cloud and rain into friday, wrapped around that area of low

pressure, that's going to hang around through the weekend. we'll look at that in a moment, but for the eastern areas of the uk, friday starts dry and bright with some sunshine. it does cloud over, though, from the west. a little bit of light rain or drizzle mainly over western hills and coast. the more persistent rain comes into scotland and northern ireland as the wind picks up, and look at the temperatures, only 16 celsius in glasgow, 21 celsius perhaps in london. that area of low pressure, i mentioned it, it's going to hang around to the north of scotland, and around that we're going to find some stronger winds, particularly for northern parts of the uk, touching gale force maybe in northern scotland. and that's where we're going to see most of the rain saturday and into sunday. some showers and a bit of sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, one or two showers for northern england. but further south, it should be dry.

i'm maryam moshiri. you're watching the context on bbc news. russia sent two big powerful missiles crashing into the centre of a crowded city at a busy time of day. civilian casulaties were almost inevitable. the restaurant was gone. totally gone. people wounded on the street. rescue workers trying to help people underneath the rubble. so it was absolutely a disaster. there's some concern here - in eastern europe about the prospect of the wagner group being reloacted

to belarus, right to the border- of poland, of course, |