modi was on a two day minister. modi was on a two day visit to the french capital. hello, france rolled out the red, white and blue carpet with the indian prime minister treated to bastille day celebrations in paris. so what is behind indian�*s leader latest push for influence on the world stage? also, ron christie, former special assistant to president george w bush. also on the programme tonight, europe and the us are sweating under intense heat waves this week. major attractions are closed, in greece. in arizona the temperature has been 43 celsius

for 13 days straight. and we will checkin for 13 days straight. and we will check in on the race for the republican nomination. the main contenders are in iowa today at an evangelical conference but the clear front runner donald trump is nowhere to be seen. first though let's start in france, where it is bastille day, marking the french revolution and as is often the case of the french president is joined is often the case of the french president isjoined by is often the case of the french president is joined by significant guest of honour. this year emmanuel macron rolled out that carpet for the indian prime minister as the two countries sealed high—profile defence deals and deepen their ties. it is the latest trip from the indian leader who last month was in washington to meetjoe biden. what is behind this latest diplomatic push from new delhi. i spoke to someone from the king's college london to find out what is behind the diplomatic push. he london to find out what is behind the diplomatic push.— london to find out what is behind the diplomatic push. he has been a very nimble — the diplomatic push. he has been a very nimble prime _ the diplomatic push. he has been a

very nimble prime minister- the diplomatic push. he has been a very nimble prime minister on - the diplomatic push. he has been a very nimble prime minister on the. very nimble prime minister on the diplomatic front, he is extended india's diplomatic footprint across the world and particularly with the west we have seen that despite some differences over that ukraine war he has managed to expand his engagement with both the us and european partners. so the last year itself we have seen a number of initiatives and engagements and as he was saying earlier he was at the white house as a guest and now he is in france. a lot of this has to do with india's economic growth story. some of it is to do with his own charismatic diplomatic style and the convergence between the west and india in the context of the emerging geopolitical turbulence in the indo—pacific and how the two sides see each other as partners, as china rises and as china challenges the existing order.

there has been a change in mindset about china in large parts of europe. so i think in that sense we the west is looking at india as an opportunity and at a time when china is becoming a challenge. so i think that certainly is the case but in this particular case we have also seen india and france and particularly france has been a long—standing partner of india over the last few decades. this particular relationship remains a long one and time—tested as well. let's bring in our panellists, lord kim derek and ron christie. i will start with you, kim, what do you make of this big diplomatic push from india que yellow i think that macron is trying to make france india's strategic partner in europe and inviting him to bastille day is quite a big thing. find

and inviting him to bastille day is quite a big thing.— quite a big thing. and there are some quite _ quite a big thing. and there are some quite big _ quite a big thing. and there are some quite big sales _ quite a big thing. and there are| some quite big sales associated quite a big thing. and there are - some quite big sales associated with this, arms sales, rafaeljets and submarines. modi has been f ted in the white house and the british prime minister has a good relationship with him. so he is chairing the g20 i think, the next t20 meeting. so this is a big moment diplomatically for india. i have to say though i think there are still some questions about prime minister modi. i think his neutrality on ukraine is a difficult thing to explain. after all, russia is breaking every international law by invading ukraine. ithink breaking every international law by invading ukraine. i think muslims are more attacked in india than they were before modi became prime minister. i think he bears some responsibility for that. i think india is now i6ist out of 180 on responsibility for that. i think india is now 161st out of 180 on the global media freedom index. in fact the indian government is trying to

block a recent bbc documentary about modi from appearing in india or on the internet. so i have some questions and doubts about him but he is proving a very adept representative of india on the international stage. figs representative of india on the international stage.— representative of india on the international stage. as his visit was under _ international stage. as his visit was under way _ international stage. as his visit was under way the _ international stage. as his visit was under way the european i was under way the european parliament was questioning his human rights record. just to bring you in, ron, we saw similar scenes when modi was in the us recently. but is he an awkward guest?— was in the us recently. but is he an awkward guest? good evening to you, it is nice to be — awkward guest? good evening to you, it is nice to be with _ awkward guest? good evening to you, it is nice to be with you. _ awkward guest? good evening to you, it is nice to be with you. i _ awkward guest? good evening to you, it is nice to be with you. ithink- it is nice to be with you. i think he is _ it is nice to be with you. i think he is an— it is nice to be with you. i think he is an awkward guest. i understand entirely— he is an awkward guest. i understand entirely what he is trying to do. he recognises — entirely what he is trying to do. he recognises that china is really making — recognises that china is really making significant moves around the globe _ making significant moves around the globe be _ making significant moves around the giobe be it— making significant moves around the globe be it in africa, in south america. _ globe be it in africa, in south america, in other places around the world _ america, in other places around the world and — america, in other places around the world and i— america, in other places around the world. and i think india realises

that france is a significant potential strong ally with them. and so therefore why not go visit macron? _ so therefore why not go visit macron? why not go and try to strengthen those ties? and as the ambassador said, i think it is a very— ambassador said, i think it is a very interesting dynamic that we see here because why wouldn't he? 50, yes, an _ here because why wouldn't he? 50, yes, an awkward house guest but a very strong — yes, an awkward house guest but a very strong strategic manoeuvre i think— very strong strategic manoeuvre i think by— very strong strategic manoeuvre i think by the indian government. india _ think by the indian government. india certainly can't be ignored. and, kim, just thinking about this, this is a celebration of 25 years of partnership between india and france. what hints are we getting about what both sides want the next 25 years to look like?— 25 years to look like? well, i think first of all france _ 25 years to look like? well, i think first of all france has _ 25 years to look like? well, i think first of all france has a _ 25 years to look like? well, i think first of all france has a very - first of all france has a very strong commercial interest in india and you have seen that with the deals that have been announced as part of this visit. 0bviously deals that have been announced as

part of this visit. obviously it has a huge population, huge potential, very economical and fast so that will be an important target of india, for macron and france. but also i think that the talk about a strategic partnership for the future is about, as i say, trying to establish france as india's leading partner in europe. and there is a lot in that terms of international issues and working together on some of the problem is that we face in future like for example climate change, were in order to tackle climate change we very much need india on the team and doing what needs to be done. fir india on the team and doing what needs to be done.— india on the team and doing what needs to be done. or stay with me both of yom _ needs to be done. or stay with me both of yom to — needs to be done. or stay with me both of you. to bring _ needs to be done. or stay with me both of you. to bring you - needs to be done. or stay with me both of you. to bring you some - both of you. to bring you some breaking news now, in the last hour or two just boiled supporters have run onto the stage during the night

of the proms at the royal albert hall in london. they briefly unfurled their banner, they were met by loud boos by the audience and were led away by security. this is a number of protest byjust stop 0il, including wimbledon, the ashes and now the proms as well. a deadly heat wave is continuing in parts of europe with temperatures over 40 degrees and climbing. countries including greece, italy, spain, croatia and turkey have seen some of the highest temperatures with the heat expected to break records next week. now this is athens, where red cross ambulances have been helping people struggling in the extreme heat. the ancient acropolis closed its doors for a few hours on friday to protect visitors and it is a similar picture in other parts of the mediterranean. this is croatia,

where wildfires have broken out and are now being spread by high winds. there are also heat warnings across neighbouring serbia. in italy, red alerts meaning a threat to life have been issued for rome and the nine other cities. it is a similar situation in the us. the southern states are sweltering. more than 150 million people are under some form of heat warning. phoenix has experienced 14 days of temperatures of at least 43 celsius and is forecast to suppress billing that surpasses 18 day record next tuesday. i spoke with lisa skipper, a professor of development geography about some of the ways that climate change forces communities to adapt. adaptation is this process of adapting to the impact of climate change so we think of it now at the impacts we are experiencing, and also in the future. it typically includes a lot of things that we planned. so things like early

warning systems for floods or changing the way that we build houses to make sure that they are cooler when it is starting to get hotter and so on. changing crop types and irrigation. but it is very difficult to adapt immediately when we are experiencing something that we are experiencing something that we haven't experienced before. human bodies can only cope with so much heat as well. although i think what we have seen is that people can acclimatise but that takes time. so there are definitely limits to how much we can adapt quickly but there is also a limit to how much we can adapt over a longer time. so i think for adapting immediately for these kind of impacts, essentially doing more emergency management where we are making sure that people are staying cool, staying in call groups are not going out when it is hottest and so on. those tend to be the kind of recommendations. but of course we know this is probably going to be coming every single year so we need to think about what is a longer term strategy as well.—

strategy as well. let's bring our anel strategy as well. let's bring our panel back _ strategy as well. let's bring our panel back in — strategy as well. let's bring our panel back in and, _ strategy as well. let's bring our panel back in and, ron, - strategy as well. let's bring our panel back in and, ron, it - strategy as well. let's bring our panel back in and, ron, it is - panel back in and, ron, it is important isn't it to remember what we're talking about here is not a bit of discomfort, some higher temperatures. this is about real change that we are seeing across the world. ':: :: , world. 100%. let me tell you something. _ world. 100%. let me tell you something, it _ world. 10096. let me tell you something, it is _ world. 10096. let me tell you something, it is hot - world. 10096. let me tell you something, it is hot here - world. 10096. let me tell you something, it is hot here in l something, it is hot here in washington, dc. i have two—year—old labrador retriever. do i want to take my dog outside when it is 95, 90 8 degrees? no. he needs to take his business and do it and then come backin his business and do it and then come back in the house. but i think it is a discussion that we need to have as a discussion that we need to have as a global community. what is going on with the climate and how can we come together as a global community to address it? that is a really big breakdown between the two parties here in the united states, between the democrats and republicans. many republicans say that climate change doesn't exist. most democrats say that it does exist. i'm smart enough to know from being a lawyer that something is going on here. and it

would be wise for us to come together in the community of nations and figure out how we can try to cool the planet. and that is where i believe our political leadership, not only here in the united states but around the world, need to coalesce and figure out how can we solve this issue.— solve this issue. that is proving rather difficult _ solve this issue. that is proving rather difficult isn't _ solve this issue. that is proving rather difficult isn't it, - solve this issue. that is proving rather difficult isn't it, kim? - solve this issue. that is proving | rather difficult isn't it, kim? ron has alluded to why but from his example that is a microcosm of the kind of adaptation that will need to occur. he can't take his dog out. 0bviously occur. he can't take his dog out. obviously there are much more serious consequences in other parts of the world. how do we even begin to have that adaptation conversation when we are not necessarily on the same page when it comes to what is happening? i’m same page when it comes to what is ha eninu? �* ., same page when it comes to what is haueninu? �* ., ., ., ., happening? i'm down in cornwall and actuall it happening? i'm down in cornwall and actually it has — happening? i'm down in cornwall and actually it has been _ happening? i'm down in cornwall and actually it has been raining _ happening? i'm down in cornwall and actually it has been raining here - actually it has been raining here all day— actually it has been raining here all day and it is quite cool but i can imagine what it is like where ron can imagine what it is like where run is _ can imagine what it is like where run is the _ can imagine what it is like where ron is. the climate scientists tell me that _ ron is. the climate scientists tell me that it— ron is. the climate scientists tell me that it has been the hottest week ever since _ me that it has been the hottest week ever since records began in the

1850s — ever since records began in the 1850s 50 — ever since records began in the 1850s. so this is really extraordinary. i would have thought on the _ extraordinary. i would have thought on the basis of the evidence that is accumulating that climate sceptics would _ accumulating that climate sceptics would have been vanquished by now but they— would have been vanquished by now but they haven't. there are some some _ but they haven't. there are some some sceptics around although there is no doubt _ some sceptics around although there is no doubt to anyone who just has eyes _ is no doubt to anyone who just has eyes to— is no doubt to anyone who just has eyes to see — is no doubt to anyone who just has eyes to see that climate change is happening and what's more is happening and what's more is happening faster than scientists had predicted _ happening faster than scientists had predicted. the frustrating thing is we know— predicted. the frustrating thing is we know what we can do about it, we know _ we know what we can do about it, we know what _ we know what we can do about it, we know what the technology is, whether it is offshore wind farms or electric— it is offshore wind farms or electric cars. but we are massively behind _ electric cars. but we are massively behind the — electric cars. but we are massively behind the pace to reach net zero by 2050 _ behind the pace to reach net zero by 2050 we _ behind the pace to reach net zero by 2050 we needed a 50% reduction by 2030 and _ 2050 we needed a 50% reduction by 2030 and omissions far from reducing are still— 2030 and omissions far from reducing are still rising. it has been a massive _ are still rising. it has been a massive failure of global leadership and far— massive failure of global leadership and far too many governments thinking — and far too many governments thinking short—term, think in the next _ thinking short—term, think in the next government of the rank will actually— next government of the rank will actually have to sort this problem out. actually have to sort this problem out so— actually have to sort this problem out so we — actually have to sort this problem out. so we have to do actually get global— out. so we have to do actually get

global leadership working and do much, _ global leadership working and do much, much more at these annual cop climate _ much, much more at these annual cop climate change subjects than we are doing _ climate change subjects than we are doing at— climate change subjects than we are doing at the moment. there need to be much, _ doing at the moment. there need to be much, much bigger. that is what is needed _ be much, much bigger. that is what is needed. �* , , is needed. and it is interesting, ron, that _ is needed. and it is interesting, ron. that we — is needed. and it is interesting, ron, that we can _ is needed. and it is interesting, ron, that we can all— is needed. and it is interesting, ron, that we can all see - is needed. and it is interesting, ron, that we can all see and . is needed. and it is interesting, l ron, that we can all see and feel what is happening but there is not necessarily any agreement around what it is and how to tackle it. is that also a function of how divided anyissue that also a function of how divided any issue that is in the political space has become?— any issue that is in the political space has become? certainly here in america, absolutely. _ space has become? certainly here in america, absolutely. i'm _ space has become? certainly here in america, absolutely. i'm as - america, absolutely. i'm as conservative republican as you are going to find but i recognise that something has been going on for the last decade, maybe two decades here in the states. and i can't explain it. i'm smart enough to recognise that we should bring in the smarty scientist, the smartest leaders and put them in a room and say what in the blazes is going on? no pun

intended. and how can we call the planet? 0ther intended. and how can we call the planet? other alternative sources of energy, are there ways that we can find a way to move away from our dependence on petroleum? yes, we need it but are there alternative sources? and unfortunately here in the united states, if you are on one side of the political spectrum it is like this problem doesn't exist. if you are on the other side of the spectrum, it is a big issue. we need to find common ground.— spectrum, it is a big issue. we need to find common ground. indeed we do. sta with to find common ground. indeed we do. stay with us — to find common ground. indeed we do. stay with us around _ to find common ground. indeed we do. stay with us around the _ to find common ground. indeed we do. stay with us around the world - to find common ground. indeed we do. stay with us around the world and - stay with us around the world and across the uk this is bbc news. we will take a look now at some of the other stories making headlines. the covid public inquiry could finally gain access to borisjohnson's whatsapp messages from the first year of the pandemic, following a delay. technicians were reluctant to turn on the old phone because the former prime minister couldn't remember his password. getting it wrong multiple times could have led to the data being white but the government has now found a record of his pin code, paving the way for it

to be accessed. authorities have warned that london could see tens of thousands of measles cases due to low levels of vaccination. calculations from the uk health security agency suggest an outbreak could affect between 40000 and 160,000 people. higher levels of immunisation in the rest of the uk it means there is a low risk of the large epidemic elsewhere. and nearly 1000 workers are set to take eight days of strike action at gatwick airport over the summer holidays, in a row over pay. the workers at four firms will strike on two occasions during july and in august. you are live with bbc news and this is the context. vladimir putin has claimed that wagner mercenary group head has rejected an option to serve as a unit in russia's army. uncertainty has surrounded the group since it short lived mutiny in russia last

month full but the us department of defence believes the russian paramilitary group is no longer participating in any significant capacity in combat in ukraine, despite still being present in russian occupied areas in the donbas region. i am joined russian occupied areas in the donbas region. iamjoined now russian occupied areas in the donbas region. i am joined now by military x dilemma expert, retired colonel who served 30 years with the us marine corps. he also worked extensively with nato in europe. brendan, what you make of this assertion by the us department of defence that wagner is no longer active in ukraine? i’m defence that wagner is no longer active in ukraine?— active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nan , active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy. to _ active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy. to be — active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy, to be honest— active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy, to be honest with - active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy, to be honest with you. l active in ukraine? i'm sceptical, nancy, to be honest with you. a little bit perplexed that they would make such an announcement and then not back it up with maybe some evidence to support it. it doesn't make sense right now to me considering how active wagner continues to be in all the other trouble spots around the world. they may have stood down in ukraine but i think, i mean literally they can be

turned back on and anticipate hostilities again probably with just a couple of hours notice. but it hostilities again probably with “ust a couple of hours notice.�* a couple of hours notice. but it is very difficult. _ a couple of hours notice. but it is very difficult, isn't _ a couple of hours notice. but it is very difficult, isn't it, _ a couple of hours notice. but it is very difficult, isn't it, to - a couple of hours notice. but it is very difficult, isn't it, to know - very difficult, isn't it, to know exactly what does happen inside the russian military? it is extraordinarily - russian military? it is| extraordinarily difficult russian military? it is- extraordinarily difficult to russian military? it 3 extraordinarily difficult to find out what is going on in russia, let alone the military itself. and then of course the ukrainians have practised a wonderful degree of operational security. when they want media attention, they carefully choreographed that media attention. the same thing that the russians do. so we're really not sure from anybody�*s perspective, certainly not from independent western media sources on the ground near the front lines, because that simply doesn't exist in the ukraine right now. so this is a very, very difficult issue for us to come to the truth with. but what sort of impact would wagner being out of the picture have on the

russian military and its operations in ukraine? ~ ~ russian military and its operations in ukraine?— in ukraine? well, i think in many resects in ukraine? well, i think in many respects it _ in ukraine? well, i think in many respects it simplifies _ in ukraine? well, i think in many respects it simplifies the - respects it simplifies the operations of the russian military because what they can do is they can focus on solving the logistics, the commander control, a myriad of long—term issues that they have been facing that were exacerbated by having to supply and coordinate with wagner. that was really a tough job to be it would be for any military, even including military is like the british and american. if you suddenly put in a mercenary army that you are supposed to coordinate with and supply, that becomes tough. who is the priority? and of course we know from wagner's leaders optionally constantly said that he was not a priority with the russian military so it simplifies issue for

the russian military makes a little bit tougher for the the russian military makes a little bit tougherfor the ukrainians bit tougher for the ukrainians because bit tougherfor the ukrainians because i think they're actually enjoyed having the wagner forces taking away the logistics that the russians had to provide them. so it is a complex issue, nothing simple about it. and you say that this might simplify the equation for the russian military book clearly vladimir putin wanted to keep wagner in the equation. he said his offer to the wagnerfighters in the equation. he said his offer to the wagner fighters to continue in the russian military was rejected. is the picture any clearer about what the future is the wagner as a military group? you know, no, i don't think it is. but again, i think what we would have to do is really separate the issues out. you have got wagner in the ukraine. but then you have wagner that has been collecting an immense amount of money from a lot of the other trouble spots around the world,

mozambique, venezuela, syria. and again, that money i am sure is being shared with putin and his henchmen and russia in general. so i think there are multiple levels of complexity on an international scheme with this organisation that, quite honestly i don't think anyone has a real handle on this as to how this is all going to fall out in the long term. i5 this is all going to fall out in the long term-— this is all going to fall out in the lonterm. ,, . . , long term. is such a complicated icture. long term. is such a complicated picture- stay _ long term. is such a complicated picture. stay with _ long term. is such a complicated picture. stay with us _ long term. is such a complicated picture. stay with us and - long term. is such a complicated picture. stay with us and we - long term. is such a complicated picture. stay with us and we will| picture. stay with us and we will bring your our panel back in, kim and ron. ron, iwonder if bring your our panel back in, kim and ron. ron, i wonder if you bring your our panel back in, kim and ron. ron, iwonder if you had any thoughts on what is really a very complete story when it comes to wagner? very complete story when it comes to wa . ner? , very complete story when it comes to warner? , ., ., i. wagner? only to agree with everyone else in this extraordinarily _ else in this extraordinarily complicated and cloudy and obscure. i complicated and cloudy and obscure. i defer— complicated and cloudy and obscure. i defer of— complicated and cloudy and obscure. i defer of course to military expertise but it did seem to me that certainly— expertise but it did seem to me that certainly a _ expertise but it did seem to me that certainly a few months ago the wagner— certainly a few months ago the wagner group were the only ones

doing _ wagner group were the only ones doing much fighting on the russian side in _ doing much fighting on the russian side in ukraine around back more. so you do— side in ukraine around back more. so you do wonder although simplify logistics. — you do wonder although simplify logistics, the russian conscripts who are — logistics, the russian conscripts who are the regular russian forces out there — who are the regular russian forces out there are going to be prepared to fight— out there are going to be prepared to fight in— out there are going to be prepared to fight in the way that it appeared that some — to fight in the way that it appeared that some of the wagner group were doing _ that some of the wagner group were doing the _ that some of the wagner group were doing. the other thing i would say his wagner— doing. the other thing i would say his wagner are operating across quite _ his wagner are operating across quite a — his wagner are operating across quite a lot— his wagner are operating across quite a lot of different places around — quite a lot of different places around the world. so the fact that they are _ around the world. so the fact that they are not, according to the pentagon, participating in the ukraine — pentagon, participating in the ukraine conflict at the moment in any meaningful way doesn't mean they're _ any meaningful way doesn't mean they're not doing a lot of bad things— they're not doing a lot of bad things in— they're not doing a lot of bad things in venezuela, in syria and other— things in venezuela, in syria and other parts— things in venezuela, in syria and other parts of the middle east and chechnya — other parts of the middle east and chechnya and so on. they are a malign— chechnya and so on. they are a malign force in the globe and it would _ malign force in the globe and it would be — malign force in the globe and it would be better if they weren't there — would be better if they weren't there. �* ., ., , , there. and, ron, of course this information _ there. and, ron, of course this information is _ there. and, ron, of course this information is coming - there. and, ron, of course this information is coming from - there. and, ron, of course this information is coming from the | there. and, ron, of course this i information is coming from the us department of defence. they're keeping a close eye on things that?

we are in the united states may associate — we are in the united states may associate myself _ we are in the united states may associate myself with _ we are in the united states may associate myself with the - associate myself with the ambassador. _ associate myself with the ambassador. i'm - associate myself with the ambassador. i'm smart . associate myself with the - ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer— ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to— ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to the — ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to the kernel— ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to the kernel and _ ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to the kernel and thank - ambassador. i'm smart enough to defer to the kernel and thank you| ambassador. i'm smart enough to. defer to the kernel and thank you to your server— defer to the kernel and thank you to your server -- — defer to the kernel and thank you to your server —— thank— defer to the kernel and thank you to your server —— thank you _ defer to the kernel and thank you to your server —— thank you for your. your server —— thank you for your service — your server —— thank you for your service sir. _ your server —— thank you for your service sir. and— your server —— thank you for your service, sir, and the _ your server —— thank you for your service, sir, and the military- service, sir, and the military expertise _ service, sir, and the military expertise i_ service, sir, and the military expertise. i will— service, sir, and the military expertise. i will say- service, sir, and the military expertise. i will say this, - service, sir, and the military expertise. i will say this, sol service, sir, and the military- expertise. i will say this, so much attention— expertise. i will say this, so much attention is— expertise. i will say this, so much attention is being _ expertise. i will say this, so much attention is being placed - expertise. i will say this, so much attention is being placed on- expertise. i will say this, so much attention is being placed on whatl expertise. i will say this, so much. attention is being placed on what is going _ attention is being placed on what is going on— attention is being placed on what is going on with — attention is being placed on what is going on with the _ attention is being placed on what is going on with the wagner - attention is being placed on what is going on with the wagner group - attention is being placed on what is going on with the wagner group inl going on with the wagner group in ukraine _ going on with the wagner group in ukraine my— going on with the wagner group in ukraine. my concern _ going on with the wagner group in ukraine. my concern is _ going on with the wagner group in ukraine. my concern is a - going on with the wagner group in ukraine. my concern is a policy - ukraine. my concern is a policy person— ukraine. my concern is a policy person is— ukraine. my concern is a policy person is what _ ukraine. my concern is a policy person is what is _ ukraine. my concern is a policy person is what is going - ukraine. my concern is a policy person is what is going on - ukraine. my concern is a policy person is what is going on in l ukraine. my concern is a policy - person is what is going on in africa and the _ person is what is going on in africa and the middle — person is what is going on in africa and the middle east— person is what is going on in africa and the middle east and _ person is what is going on in africa and the middle east and south- and the middle east and south america — and the middle east and south america that _ and the middle east and south america that i _ and the middle east and south america that i think— and the middle east and south america that i think make - america that i think make policymakers _ america that i think make policymakers here - america that i think make policymakers here in- america that i think make policymakers here in the. america that i think make . policymakers here in the us america that i think make - policymakers here in the us may america that i think make _ policymakers here in the us may have taken _ policymakers here in the us may have taken their— policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye — policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye off— policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye off the _ policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye off the ball. _ policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye off the ball. 0n - policymakers here in the us may have taken their eye off the ball. 0n the . taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question— taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question is, — taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question is, is— taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question is, is this _ taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question is, is this group _ taken their eye off the ball. 0n the question is, is this group still- question is, is this group still associated. _ question is, is this group still associated, still— question is, is this group still associated, still closely - question is, is this group still. associated, still closely aligned with vladimir— associated, still closely aligned with vladimir putin _ associated, still closely aligned with vladimir putin or- associated, still closely aligned with vladimir putin or is- associated, still closely aligned with vladimir putin or is there i associated, still closely aligned | with vladimir putin or is there a genuine — with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? _ with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? we— with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? we need- with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? we need to - with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? we need to get i with vladimir putin or is there a genuine rift? we need to get toj with vladimir putin or is there a - genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom _ genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of— genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of that _ genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of that and _ genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of that and we _ genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of that and we as _ genuine rift? we need to get to the bottom of that and we as the - genuine rift? we need to get to the| bottom of that and we as the united states. _ bottom of that and we as the united states. we _ bottom of that and we as the united states. we as — bottom of that and we as the united states, we as nato _ bottom of that and we as the united states, we as nato members, - bottom of that and we as the united states, we as nato members, need| bottom of that and we as the united . states, we as nato members, need to figure _ states, we as nato members, need to figure out— states, we as nato members, need to figure out whether— states, we as nato members, need to figure out whether this _ states, we as nato members, need to figure out whether this group - figure out whether this group presents _ figure out whether this group presents a _ figure out whether this group presents a threat _ figure out whether this group presents a threat to - figure out whether this group presents a threat to the - figure out whether this group i presents a threat to the united states— presents a threat to the united states and _ presents a threat to the united states and to _ presents a threat to the united states and to our _ presents a threat to the unitedj states and to our distinguished allies— states and to our distinguished allies and — states and to our distinguished allies and nato _ states and to our distinguished allies and nato around - states and to our distinguished allies and nato around the - states and to our distinguished . allies and nato around the globe. and, _ allies and nato around the globe. and. brendan. _ allies and nato around the globe. and, brendan, briefly— allies and nato around the globe.

and, brendan, briefly if— allies and nato around the globe. and, brendan, briefly if he - allies and nato around the globe. and, brendan, briefly if he couldl and, brendan, briefly if he could comment on that, wagner's wider reach outside of ukraine. their business development - reach outside of ukraine. their business development folks i reach outside of ukraine. tue: " business development folks have clearly been busy over the last number of years because virtually any trouble spot around the world, any trouble spot around the world, any country that has got a despot leading it or crimes against humanity are being committed, you can pretty much see the fingerprints of wagner either indirectly or directly with russians and chechens standing next to the president of venezuela as bodyguards. they are members of the wagner group. so they are all over the place and they had to committing war crimes. these are not good people and they really pose a challenge to humanity writ large, from my perspective.— a challenge to humanity writ large, from my perspective. brendan, thank ou ve from my perspective. brendan, thank you very much- _ from my perspective. brendan, thank you very much. great _ from my perspective. brendan, thank you very much. great to _ from my perspective. brendan, thank you very much. great to have - from my perspective. brendan, thank you very much. great to have your i you very much. great to have your thoughts on the programme. kim and

ron, stay with us, we will be coming back to you. you are watching the context here on bbc news. as brendan did say there, it is a very complicated, murky picture what is happening in russia with the wagner group but of course as usual we follow every twist and turn for you here on bbc news. more to come. stay with us here on the context. hello there. plants in the garden are starting to look very healthy these days. unfortunately, we can't go out and enjoy it because there's been quite a lot of rain around, hasn't there? so it's like this throughout friday afternoon with some significant puddles on the roads. now, this area of low pressure is not only with us for the rest of the day, but also into the majority of saturday as well. it's been pushing heavy rain further north and east. it's also brought some blustery winds with it as well.

this has been the story so far today, that rain is now starting to move towards the scottish borders and it will continue to do so through the early evening. in fact, once it gets into scotland it may well linger in the far north, and that could have an impact locally with the potential for some flooding. quite a lot of cloud around elsewhere. temperatures will hold up, widely, into mid—teens first thing on saturday morning. so we're going to start off on a grey note for many on saturday. that low pressure still there and still squeezed, quite tightly packed, together. the isobars, strong winds, unseasonably windy for this time of year. the strongest of the winds on saturday likely to be across central and southern wales, along with central and southern england, 50—55 mph gusts of winds not out of the question. that is unusual for this time of year. and on top of that, spiralling around the low will be significant rash of showers, some of them heavy rumbles of thunder mixed in there. now, in between the showers, there will be some drier, brighter, maybe even sunny interludes. but the temperatures subdued for this time of year,

14—22 as the overall high. now, as we move into sunday, it's likely that the low will drift away, but we still run the risk of more significant showers or longer spells of rain in the north west of scotland. sunny spells and scattered showers elsewhere, and as we go through the day for the rest of the country, hopefully the showers should start to ease. again, highsjust peaking into the low 20s. a little bit disappointing for this time of year. so it stays disappointing across the uk. but if you've already heard at the same time across much of the mediterranean, we've got heatwave conditions at the moment, with the hottest weather likely across the southeast mediterranean. if you are heading on your holidays into next week, that heat is going to continue through spain, through italy and also through greece.

i'm nancy kacungira. you're watching i'm nancy kacungira. the context on bbc news. an on bbc news. artificial sweetener from can possibly cause cancer, but there is no change to advice on consuming it. welcome back. we'll get to that of the equator, but the iowa

presidential caucuses of the first real test for those