live from washington. this is bbc news. a shooting in auckland leaves two dead and several injured just hours before the women's world cup is set to begin. the white house says it is working to get back a us solider who crossed into north korea. and scorching temperatures in europe spark deadly wildfires in greece, forcing thousands to evacuate. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. a rare act of gun violence happened in new zealand ahead of one of the biggest sporting events in the world — the women's world cup. police say a gunman shot and killed two people and injured six others in auckland's central business district, just hours ahead of today's opening match.

the suspect is also dead after the incident, the auckland mayor says all fifa persons are safe and accounting for and the matches will go ahead as planned. it is not being seen as an act of terrorism. fist not being seen as an act of terrorism-— terrorism. at 7:22am, the olice terrorism. at 7:22am, the police received _ terrorism. at 7:22am, the police received multiple i police received multiple emergency calls with reports of a person discharging a firearm from inside the third floor of a building under construction at the bottom of queen street. police were on the scene at the site within minutes. we are continuing to piece together the entire sequence of events and what we know is as follows. the defender made his way up through the building site, discharging his firearm on multiple occasions. the police entered the building within ten minutes. staff from various groups responded and members of the public inside the building

were evacuated wherever possible. we know several workers found refuge hiding inside the building during the event. at around 8am, a squad supported by a special tactics group located the offender inside a lift shaft where he had barricaded himself, and attempted to engage him, having secured the floors above and below. the offender fired at police, injuring an officer. shots were exchanged and the offender was later found deceased. tragically, police located two members of the public deceased on the lower levels of the building site. he also confirmed the shooter had also confirmed the shooter had a history of domestic violence and had been subject to home detention but was given dispensation to work in the building where the shooting occurred. he also confirmed the shooter was known to have a history of mental illness but officials claimed there was no

indication he was high lethal risk. more updates as they come into us. the white house says its working to get the us soldier held in north korea home, as new details are emerging after he crossed the borderfrom south korea without authorisation. here's what we know — private travis king had been detained in south korea before crossing, with court documents showing he damaged a police car and recently spent time in a detention facility in seoul. king was reportedly investigated for assault in south korea in september 2022. local media reports say he was suspected of punching a korean national in a nightclub. in october, he was fined 5 million won, which is $3,950, for, quote, "repeatedly kicking" a police car and using quote "foul language" directed at the officers. local reports say he was released on july 10th after serving two months injail on multiple assault charges. he was then placed under military observation for about a week and escorted to the airport for a flight back to the us to face disciplinary action.

but king did not board the plane. he instead joined a tour of the demilitarised zone, known as the dmz, between north and south korea. those tours typically take between three days to a week to get authorised. on tuesday, he was taken into custody in the north. us authorities say he crossed into north korea "willingly and without authorisation". private king's brother made a plea to reporters to respect him and his mother's privacy. we understand the gravity of the situation. it's a very massive and unfortunate thing. however, at this moment, we just ask that you all kind of respect our privacy. my mum has lost a son before. so this is weighing heavily on her. at some point, we will be more talkative maybe, at some point, but we just want to see where it goes from here. footage has emerged of yevgeny prigozhin, the leader of the wagner mercenary group, apparently the first time he has been seen on camera since

he led a short—lived mutiny against russia's military leaders. he appears to be in belarus where he had been exiled after making peace with vladimir putin, despite claims by the belarus president that he had returned to russia. as our correspondence from bbc verify reports. back in business in belarus. the former hot dog seller apparently reunited with his private army. cheering. the face hard to make out but the voice certainly sounds like yevgeny prigozhin, the man who defied president putin and lived to tell the tale, for now. in this was the last we had seen of prigozhin, nearly a month ago, just after calling off his rebellion. hours earlier, his wagner forces had been on the road to moscow, fuelled by their boss's disgust at the top russian generals running the war in ukraine. vladimir putin had vowed

to crush the traitors advancing on the capital, before a deal was brokered and the rebellion fizzled out. today, the head of mi6 said it had been a humiliation for the russian president. it was extraordinary. if you look at putin's behaviours on that day, prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, he had been pardoned by supper and a few days later, he was invited for tea. so there are some things that even the chief of mi6 finds a little bit difficult to try and interpret. as part of the deal, wagner forces were to relocate to belarus, and we think it's from a military base south of the capital this latest video was filmed. a month ago here, there was nothing to see. today, row upon row of white tents filling the camp. this footage is hard to make out but it is illuminating. prigozhin seems to reenergise his criticism of the russian military top brass, branding

the situation in ukraine a disgrace. he suggests his mercenaries, who played such a key part on the front line, may go back there in the future. nick beake, bbc news. in europe, extreme heat and winds are continuing to stoke dangerous wildfires across switzerland, spain, and greece. there, firefighters are battling a blaze that is destroying homes, and forcing evacuations. the days—long heat wave is feeding the flames. 0ur correspondent azadeh moshiri is in greece, amid the devastation. i am west of athens, in mandra. now, local residents pointed us here, they said, "follow the road and you'll find a facility that's completely burnt down". when we got here, we spoke to the owner and he said there were animals actually held here, dogs held in the basement for safety, as the fires began to spring. now as you can see, there's some smoke coming up, so i'll move you in this direction because over here were deer who were held, who hopped across the fence because the fire started engulfing and

approaching this area. now here in mandra, the fire extended across 8km. so scenes like this, devastation like this, is happening across the area, but also across mainland greece. another issue we are hearing from several local residents, including the owner of this facility, is they feel firefighters didn't get here soon enough, that if they'd managed to respond to all the wildfires in time, then perhaps scenes like this wouldn't have happened. just north in italy, nearly all major cities are on red heat alert as temperatures continue to soar. the warnings mean the heat poses a threat to everyone, not just vulnerable groups. there has been a 20% increase in the number of patients admitted to emergency rooms with heat—related symptoms. 0ur correspondent sofia bettiza is braving the heat in italy to bring us more. it has been extremely hot here in italy for the last few days.

this heatwave has been described by local media as the week of hell. 23 cities across the country are under a red alert warning, which means that heat poses a threat to everybody. there has been a 20% increase in the number of patients being admitted in hospitals across italy showing signs of exhaustion, dehydration, confusion and heatstroke. and of course, heat waves like this one can be dangerous. we spoke to a doctor here who told us that some patients have died, notjust because of the heat, but the high temperatures had been a contributing factor. she says she is worried because she feels it's the most vulnerable that will pay the price for this heatwave. because of course, for the elderly and for people with existing health conditions, and health problems, being exposed

to these temperatures can have devastating consequences. a bit of relief may be on the way as temperatures are expected to fall on thursday for many across europe. its half—past ten in the morning at the airbase on the outskirts of nottinghamshire, and for the crew here, there is no average day. they are on constant standby, waiting for a call. i constant standby, waiting for a call. ., ., ., call. i got here at half five, we are on _ call. i got here at half five, we are on a _ call. i got here at half five, we are on a 12 _ call. i got here at half five, we are on a 12 hour- call. i got here at half five, we are on a 12 hour shift, l call. i got here at half five, l we are on a 12 hour shift, the day starts with an equipment checked, all the things i wouldn't the right place, so when the phone goes, we are in position to respond immediately. —— all the things are in the right place. this shows where _ are in the right place. this shows where the - are in the right place. this shows where the air - are in the right place. this shows where the air ambulance cupboards. warwickshire, northamptonshire, rutland. in the last 20 years, there has

been over 50,000 missions. normally there are between 3—5 flights each day. the average costis flights each day. the average cost is around £1700 per flight. the crew say so far this year they are busier than ever, but they are dedicated to help people whenever they need it. israeli president isaac herzog is wrapping up a two—day visit, with an address to a joint session of congress earlier on wednesday. it comes at a time of tension between presidentjoe biden and the israeli government. one point of contention — a controversialjudicial reform plan that has led to several months of protests in israel. president biden recently called israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu's government the most extreme in decades. despite that, in his speech to congress, president herzong affirmed the us—israeli relationship calling the us israel's, quote," greatest partner and friend". israel and the united states

will inevitably disagree on many matters. but we will always remain family. 0ur evolutionary societies have so much to give to the world and so much to learn from each other. 0ur bond may be challenged at times, but it is absolutely unbreakable. i spoke with our correspondent helena humphrey. she was covering the speech on capitol hill. tell us more about how the israeli president was received. significant applause as he walked into the chamber, lasting around three minutes by my count. really speaking to what he said was the strength of relations between the us and israel going back 75 years to the founding of israel as a state. he also spoke about a range of other issues, saying that the free world should not allow iran to procure a nuclear weapon. he expressed a desire for israel to have relations with saudi arabia.

with assistance from the us. and also a wish for peace with palestinian neighbours, although coming at a time of tensions of course, in light of the raids we have seen on the west bank in recent weeks. but he did speak about those protests we have seen in israel for a number of months against the planned judicial overhaul put forward by prime minister netanyahu. and certainly that has seen some concern from president biden. he said this is one of the more extreme cabinets in the past 50 years, but certainly the mood on capitol hill was about an enduring friendship and partnership between the us and israel. it wasn't without controversy, however. we saw this group of progressive democrats boycott going to the speech today. how did that play out? we did see a number of progressive democrats decide to boycott this speech, perhaps to be expected. we also saw a number of those

lawmakers boycott a speech by narendra modi recently and similar addresses from benjamin netanyahu in the past. certainly there was some contentious comments from representatives over the weekend, including one who called israel a racist state, earning a swift rebuke including from her own democratic colleagues. and subsequently walking those comments back to a certain extent. but certainly the feeling here from those who did attend was about continuing to show support for israel, while also leaving room, leaving the door open for criticism of a partner. i spoke to a representative for the democrats. thank you so much for joining us on the bbc.

ina region in a region like the middle east, _ in a region like the middle east, with so much conflict and oppression, to have a partner that_ oppression, to have a partner that shares the same values and principles, — that shares the same values and principles, that showed unity is remarkable, and the president referenced it, you could — president referenced it, you could see the bipartisan comprehensive reaction in the senate — comprehensive reaction in the senate and the house, it is shared. _ senate and the house, it is shared, an overwhelming majority of american lawmakers. democrats have voiced some concern on the republican messaging of the founding of israel 75 years ago... he said not enough of those messaging mentioned the two state solution, which is usually included when speaking about israel. your thoughts on that. israel. your thoughts on that. i happen to agree as a supporter of a two state solution, with great empathy for palestinians and all humans around — for palestinians and all humans around the world, i agree we should — around the world, i agree we should support a two state

solution, i want to see palestinians living side by side — palestinians living side by side with israelis in peace, security— side with israelis in peace, security and prosperity. democrats and republicans should _ democrats and republicans should unify behind that. the only— should unify behind that. the only way— should unify behind that. the only way israel will be a secure _ only way israel will be a secure nation is when that is achieved, _ secure nation is when that is achieved, and that requires a palestinian leader with a commitment to peace rather than israel_ commitment to peace rather than israel cosmic destruction. when we get — israel cosmic destruction. when we get to — israel cosmic destruction. when we get to that point, i be among _ we get to that point, i be among the loudest voices for that— among the loudest voices for that process.— among the loudest voices for that process. president biden called the _ that process. president biden called the relationship - that process. president biden i called the relationship between the us and israel unshakeable but he has also expressed concern about the cabinet of benjamin netanyahu, he calls it extreme. how do you see the relationship evolving between president biden and prime minister benjamin netanyahu? i think good friends are honest with— think good friends are honest with one _ think good friends are honest with one another. israel and the us— with one another. israel and the us are good friends. i think— the us are good friends. i think the president spoke well on the — think the president spoke well on the subject, israel has lurched _ on the subject, israel has lurched to the right, no question. we have to create space — question. we have to create space and place for people to be critical of any government.

as a _ be critical of any government. as a lawmaker in the us, i have to he _ as a lawmaker in the us, i have to be able — as a lawmaker in the us, i have to be able to criticise any leader— to be able to criticise any leader and government for policies _ leader and government for policies that are incongruent with— policies that are incongruent with our— policies that are incongruent with our values and principles. there — with our values and principles. there are _ with our values and principles. there are occasions when israel is worthy— there are occasions when israel is worthy of that criticism as a government, not necessarily as a _ a government, not necessarily as a country. that is where we are having _ as a country. that is where we are having struggles around the world _ are having struggles around the world in— are having struggles around the world in terms of the discourse relative — world in terms of the discourse relative to _ world in terms of the discourse relative to israel. i am concerned relative to policies internal — concerned relative to policies internal and external, debating those, — internal and external, debating those, litigating those, it's part— those, litigating those, it's part of— those, litigating those, it's part of the democratic process, and also — part of the democratic process, and also how trends treat one another _ and also how trends treat one another. do and also how trends treat one another. , ., ,, �* another. do you think the biden administration _ another. do you think the biden administration should _ another. do you think the biden administration should do - another. do you think the biden administration should do more. administration should do more to stabilise the situation in israel right now?— to stabilise the situation in israel right now? israel has to make those — israel right now? israel has to make those decisions - make those decisions domestically the way they see fit. elections have consequences, ultimately israelis _ consequences, ultimately israelis have to decide what kind — israelis have to decide what kind of— israelis have to decide what kind of democracy they want. it is important we continue to share — is important we continue to share values and principles. relating _ share values and principles. relating to peace in the middle east, _ relating to peace in the middle east, i— relating to peace in the middle east, i think the administration and congress have — administration and congress have opportunity to promote further— have opportunity to promote further expansion of the abraham accords. i would love

saudi — abraham accords. i would love saudi arabia and israel to normalise relations. it's in the — normalise relations. it's in the best— normalise relations. it's in the best interests of the entire _ the best interests of the entire region and the world, and — entire region and the world, and yes, _ entire region and the world, and yes, i— entire region and the world, and yes, i would like to see american _ and yes, i would like to see american stand—up to that. we american stand-up to that. we know some _ american stand—up to that. - know some democratic lawmakers decided to boycott the speech. are you concerned that some republicans could capitalise, essentially, on some fault lines emerging in the democratic party when it comes to israel? i democratic party when it comes to israel? ~ , , to israel? i think yesterday we had a resolution _ to israel? i think yesterday we had a resolution celebrating i had a resolution celebrating israel's _ had a resolution celebrating israel's 75th anniversary, an overwhelming majority of democrats and republicans supported it, only nine votes against — supported it, only nine votes against it, 420 for it. there will— against it, 420 for it. there will always be politics behind some — will always be politics behind some of— will always be politics behind some of these initiatives, but at the — some of these initiatives, but at the democratic caucus, we are a — at the democratic caucus, we are a family, and like any family— are a family, and like any family we have differences of opinions _ family we have differences of opinions and perspectives. my invitation— opinions and perspectives. my invitation to colleagues both conservative and progressive is to open— conservative and progressive is to open both hearts and minds relating — to open both hearts and minds relating to israel, its founding, the special place

israel— founding, the special place israel has injewish people's hearts. _ israel has injewish people's hearts, and many others around the world, — hearts, and many others around the world, and it has to be reciprocated. all of us have the opportunity to learn. in an era where, _ the opportunity to learn. in an era where, around the world, n1igration— era where, around the world, migration is causing consternation. where conflicts caused — consternation. where conflicts caused great consternation for so manv _ caused great consternation for so many. we all have a responsibility right now to be more — responsibility right now to be more mindful of humanity, agree to he _ more mindful of humanity, agree to be better understood, and also — to be better understood, and also endeavour to be educated, make _ also endeavour to be educated, make for— also endeavour to be educated, make for a _ also endeavour to be educated, make for a better world and i think— make for a better world and i think we _ make for a better world and i think we can all do a bit better _ think we can all do a bit better. . ~' , ., think we can all do a bit better. ., ,, , ., think we can all do a bit better. ., ,, i. . think we can all do a bit better. ., ,, . ., better. thank you so much for shafinu better. thank you so much for sharing your _ better. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. - russian president putin will not attend an august summit of emerging economies in south africa, known as the brics group. south africa's president cyril ramaphosa confirmed that news on wednesday. he faced a dilemma in hosting the summit because, as a member of the international criminal court, south africa would have been required to arrest mr putin for alleged war crimes. the icc issued a warrant for putin's arrest last march. hawaii's governor has placed more than a million people under a state of emergency

as tropical storm calvin strengthens. the storm has been pummeling hawaii's big island with winds of up to 50 miles per hour. calvin threatens to deliver strong winds and rainfall that could result in flash flooding and mudslides. a us federaljudge denied former president donald trump's bid to move his hush money case from new york state court to a federal venue. trump has argued that the payments were connected to his duties as president and that the case shold therefore be heard in a federal court. the judge rejected the argument saying trump failed to prove the charges were in relation to his actions as president. nearly 30 years after his death, there appears to be some new developments in the investigation into the long—unsolved killed of tupac shakur. the case was propelled back into the spotlight after las vegas police confirmed on tuesday they served a search warrant in connection with the murder in henderson, nevada. 0ur sophie long has more. tupac shakur was at the peak of his career. after releasing his debut album

in 1991, he went on to enjoy massive success with hits like california love and all eyez on me. but the world never got to see him realise his full potential. the rapper was shot four times, twice in the chest, as he waited at a red light on the las vegas strip in september of 1996. he died a week later in hospital. he was just 25 years old. 27 years later and police in las vegas carried out a search in a home in the suburb of henderson. they have not yet provided any further information, stating only that the investigation into the murder remains ongoing. although his career was tragically cut short and lasted just five years, tupac�*s memory is very much alive here in los angeles and around the world. he sold more than 75 million records and only last month he was honoured here on hollywood's walk of fame. so far the case has gone unsolved. there is renewed hope

now that that could change. sophie long, bbc news, hollywood. the barbie movie comes out on friday. the set required so much pink pate there was a global shortage. much pink pate there was a globalshortage. 0ur global shortage. 0ur entertainment correspondent reports on the barbie phenomena. —— pink paint. 1959, the co—founder of the toy company creates barbie, named after her daughter. until then, us children had only played with baby dolls. barbie would change everything. targeted advertising aimed at kids during the mickey mouse club led to the rise of tester power, children lagging their parents to buy them something. by parents to buy them something. by the end of the year, 300,000

barbies had been sold. —— pester power, children nagging their parents. ads, pester power, children nagging their parents.— their parents. a new fashion doll ou their parents. a new fashion doll you can _ their parents. a new fashion doll you can really _ their parents. a new fashion doll you can really move! i doll you can really move! barbie continually developed, in the 19705 there were experiments with mobility functions.— experiments with mobility functions. , ., . ., functions. they can dance to any kind _ functions. they can dance to any kind of— functions. they can dance to any kind of music. _ functions. they can dance to any kind of music. and - functions. they can dance to any kind of music. and over| any kind of music. and over time, any kind of music. and over time. a _ any kind of music. and over time, a growing _ any kind of music. and over time, a growing emphasis l any kind of music. and over. time, a growing emphasis on trying to inspire girl5 time, a growing emphasis on trying to inspire girls to aim higher when it came to careers. doctor barbie... higher when it came to careers. doctor barbie. . ._ doctor barbie... although apparently _ doctor barbie... although apparently not _ doctor barbie... although apparently not at - doctor barbie... although apparently not at the - doctor barbie... although - apparently not at the expense of their romantic life.- of their romantic life. doctor ken, of their romantic life. doctor ken. again _ of their romantic life. doctor ken, again and _ of their romantic life. doctor ken, again and again... - of their romantic life. doctor ken, again and again... thisj of their romantic life. doctor l ken, again and again... this is called peaches _ ken, again and again... this is called peaches and _ ken, again and again... this is called peaches and cream, - ken, again and again... this is| called peaches and cream, she is really— called peaches and cream, she is really collectible and once i is really collectible and once i had — is really collectible and once i had as— is really collectible and once i had as a _ is really collectible and once i had as a child.— i had as a child. claire from blackpool _ i had as a child. claire from blackpool has _ i had as a child. claire from blackpool has one - i had as a child. claire from blackpool has one of- i had as a child. claire from blackpool has one of the i i had as a child. claire from i blackpool has one of the uk's biggest barbie collections. the barbie biggest barbie collections. tie: barbie collection biggest barbie collections. tte:

barbie collection that biggest barbie collections. t“te: barbie collection that i've got, i genuinely stopped counting. what i have here and what you see in the background is a very small selection of what i've actually got, its probably in excess of 1000 now. it's a huge draw back to childhood, so barbie, for me, is a connection with many, many happy hours i spent playing in the loft at my parents growing up. the loft at my parents growing u -. , the loft at my parents growing u . _ , ., ., the loft at my parents growing up. they have a distinctive s rinae up. they have a distinctive syringe captured _ up. they have a distinctive l syringe captured beautifully. and then there is an elite group of people who have been turned into barbies. my group of people who have been turned into barbies.— group of people who have been turned into barbies. my name is mac tie, i turned into barbies. my name is maggie. i a _ turned into barbies. my name is maggie. l a space _ turned into barbies. my name is maggie, i a space scientist - turned into barbies. my name is maggie, i a space scientist and l maggie, i a space scientist and this is my very own barbie doll. ., y ., this is my very own barbie doll. ., , ., _, ., ., doll. how did you come to get a barbie doll? _ doll. how did you come to get a barbie doll? it _ doll. how did you come to get a barbie doll? it was _ doll. how did you come to get a barbie doll? it was a _ doll. how did you come to get a barbie doll? it was a total- barbie doll? it was a total surprise _ barbie doll? it was a total surprise to _ barbie doll? it was a total surprise to me. _ barbie doll? it was a total surprise to me. but - barbie doll? it was a total surprise to me. but every| barbie doll? it was a total- surprise to me. but every year, mattel make barbie, they nominate 5ix 5cienti5ts mattel make barbie, they nominate 5ix scientists from across the world and make a barbie doll figure of them. trying to promote diversity of

different careers and encourage young girls to consider careers in stem, science, technology, engineering and maths. a5 in stem, science, technology, engineering and maths. as a child growing up in the 705, barbie dolls didn't look like me, so the idea of having a barbie doll based on my likene55 wa5 barbie doll based on my likene55 was quite mind boggling. it does look like me, on a really good day! bud boggling. it does look like me, on a really good day!— on a really good day! and now the first ever _ on a really good day! and now the first ever live _ on a really good day! and now the first ever live action - the first ever live action barbie film, which finally open5 this friday. at the age of 64, this doll is set to have a blockbuster summer. we are going to be back at the top of the hour with more coverage of the shooting in auckland, and we will also have a look at how the extreme heat wave across the globe is affecting wildlife, with an interview with the wwf. stay with us.

hello. wednesday has once again brought record—breaking temperatures to parts of southern europe. we've had an unconfirmed report of nearly 47 degrees in sardinia, and that intense heat is set to continue a degree or two up or down from day to day, but nevertheless relentless, both by day and by night. now, talking about heat, this time a year ago was when we saw record—breaking heat here in the uk, but nothing that extreme heading our way here. we are still to the north of the jet stream. we are still in a cooler north westerly breeze at the moment. temperatures around about average, just a little bit below, and with it plenty of scattered showers as pressure is relatively low. but, actually, with the lighter winds through the early hours of thursday, it turns quite chilly in some rural parts. there could even be the odd pocket of fog first thing this morning.

but again, it's around dawn, so it'll clear fairly quickly and that's when we'll see the best of the sunshine before the cloud starts to bubble again and we see some showers developing. now, it's one of those days where we could see lines of showers. so some places catch shower after shower and others stay completely dry with good spells of sunshine. but it will be pleasant enough. 17—22 is a notch down on wednesday, slightly fresher air, still that brisk breeze up in the north and the east of scotland. but i think, by and large, it should be largely fine for the first day at least of the golf at hoylake and actually again for the cricket at old trafford. just the odd shower around can't be ruled out, but the chances of interruptions increase through friday and into the weekend because already as we go through the night, thursday into friday, we've got the next weather front gathering in off the atlantic. ahead of it, some cooler dry weather, but it does look as if we turn the tables to cloudier weather again with patchy rain for northern ireland, scotland, northern england as we go into friday. the far north of scotland, just a few showers, perhaps dry with a little ridge of high pressure in the south.

hopefully a drier day, fewer showers, a little bit more sunshine. but temperatures are down a degree, a bit more cloud around. and the reason? this area of low pressure that's rolling itself in again. so it looks like not only bringing us some wetter weather, once again, in what has been a really unsettled july, but also some strong winds to go with it. strong winds notjust in the south, but potentially the far north as well, which is going to make it feel fairly cool forjuly. as ever, there's more on the website. bye— bye.