for labour, but a just people voted for labour, but a lot of conservative vote rs didn't turn out and focus on green issue and the wedge issues are an effort the motivate conservative voters, because we have seen in every by—election almost they want to stay at home and they keep sending the same message and the conservatives don't seem to have learned it. you were going — don't seem to have learned it. you were going to _ don't seem to have learned it. you were going to say? one _ don't seem to have learned it. you were going to say? one thing - don't seem to have learned it. you were going to say? one thing that| don't seem to have learned it. you i were going to say? one thing that is interestin: were going to say? one thing that is interesting about _ were going to say? one thing that is interesting about the _ were going to say? one thing that is interesting about the by-elections i interesting about the by—elections and what — interesting about the by—elections and what we will see in the next general— and what we will see in the next general election is we have seen this fragile coalition that boris johnson — this fragile coalition that boris johnson created actually sort of disintegrating and the question now for rishi _ disintegrating and the question now for rishi sunak is to work out who is the _ for rishi sunak is to work out who is the conservative voter, because you have _ is the conservative voter, because you have people in what is now called — you have people in what is now called the _ you have people in what is now called the red wall that are still conservative voters, but have lost that sort _ conservative voters, but have lost that sort of— conservative voters, but have lost that sort of huge chunk town the west— that sort of huge chunk town the west country that david cameron created — west country that david cameron created. 50 who are they? the

liberal democrats _ created. 50 who are they? lie: liberal democrats coming through, how much of a threat are they in sort of greater london or the home counties, where there was a remainer sort of tory public who will not bring themselves to vote labour, but could be a pressure point in the so—called blue wall? the could be a pressure point in the so-called blue wall? the tactical votin: will so-called blue wall? the tactical voting will have _ so-called blue wall? the tactical voting will have a _ so-called blue wall? the tactical voting will have a huge - so-called blue wall? the tactical voting will have a huge impact . so-called blue wall? the tactical voting will have a huge impact i | voting will have a huge impact i think _ voting will have a huge impact i think we — voting will have a huge impact i think. we have seen it in the by—election and it is magnified in by—elections, but the liberal democrats who are going to fight a very localised campaign will try and take advantage of this in terms of their— take advantage of this in terms of their remain flavourand take advantage of this in terms of their remain flavour and talking about— their remain flavour and talking about planning and rishi sunak will be fighting on two fronts, with labour— be fighting on two fronts, with labour trying to regain the heartlands and the liberal democrats trying _ heartlands and the liberal democrats trying to _ heartlands and the liberal democrats trying to move into soft tory territories.— trying to move into soft tory territories. , . , . territories. the liberal democrats? youlike look—

territories. the liberal democrats? youlike look at _ territories. the liberal democrats? youlike look at the _ territories. the liberal democrats? youlike look at the third _ territories. the liberal democrats? youlike look at the third place - youlike look at the third place challengers, it was one, two and three per cent. it is helpfulfor labour in uxbridge the votes for the greens was 800 that was bigger than the size they need too close. if they can make that argument at the general election the tactical voting will get them into downing street. thank you. i would love to keep it going but we are out of time. kirsty�*s back on monday. until then, we leave you with a taste of the american singer tony bennett — who died today at the age of 96. here he is duetting with lady gaga — with the lady is a tramp. goodnight. # i love yourfree... # i love your handkerchief in my hand... # life without care... # but i'm broke... # that's ok. # it's california, it's cold and it's damp both: that's why the lady is a tramp! # that's why the lady is a tramp!

# that's why the lady is a tramp. # right on! beautiful! thank you. when it comes to team vietnam, we were in auckland last week interviewing the striker and captain, and we heard about the huge support vietnam and has and the women's team in vietnam. it is the first time in a team men's or women's has made it. they are considered legends there. she is telling me how she used at the play

and trained in her village i went to play with coconuts because she didn't have enough money for a ball. a huge and amazing success story and sheep lays in the second division in portugal now, the first and only vietnamese woman the plate internationally. so it would certainly be a david versus goliath natalie and vietnam a. vietnam is excited about this. can't wait to watch it. ., �* ., excited about this. can't wait to watch it. . �* . ., . . watch it. can't wait to watch it either. thank _ watch it. can't wait to watch it either. thank you _ watch it. can't wait to watch it either. thank you katie - watch it. can't wait to watch it either. thank you katie silver| watch it. can't wait to watch it i either. thank you katie silver in sydney. it's been an eventful week for diplomacy around the world, with two major stories breaking through. first, tensions have escalated between north korea and the us after an american soldier crossed the border from the south. and second: the ongoing fallout after russia backed out of the black sea grain deal. let's start in north korea, and us secretary of state antony blinken

says he has no further updates on the condition of us solider private travis king's condition, but added that there are concerns. private king remains in custody in north korea. national security council spokespersonjohn kirby defended the deployment of a us nuclear submarine to south korea, telling cnn that the us has to: "make sure that we have in the region sufficient military capability to protect our south korea allies, and quite frankly, the 38,000 us troops and families that are on the korean peninsula." meanwhile: russia has continued to pound ukrainian grain silos for a fourth straight day, causing wheat prices to skyrocket. russia's defence ministry also says its black sea fleet has practised firing rockets at surface targets in a live fire exercise. earlier i spoke with the pentagon's deputy press secretary sabrina singh about all of this, starting with north korea. sabrina, it's great to have you back on the show. i want to start with north korea escalating its rhetoric on nuclear

weapons, saying that the deployment of a us nuclear capable submarine to south korea is a provocation that could meet its criteria for its own use of nuclear weapons. and according to the state run news agency, the defence minister said they would be use, quote, "in case nuclear attack is launched against it or is it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent"? what's your response to that? well, thanks again for having me on today. really appreciate the opportunity to be with you. look, we do not seek conflict with the dprk. 0ur alliance with the republic of korea is defensive in nature. and the arrival of this submarine that you mentioned is part of the washington declaration that the president discussed when president came to visit the united states just earlier this year. this is about deepening our military cooperation. again, we don't seek conflict. this is about our military strength together with the republic of korea

and a commitment that we said that this submarine would, in fact, visit this port. yet we are seeing this rhetoric, these threats from north korea. do you think this is an attempt to get concessions from the us, from south korea, on its nuclear programme, or do you think these are serious threats? well, it's hard to get in the mind of what north korea is thinking. all i can really say is speak for is our representation and our partnership with south korea. again, this is an iron—clad relationship, an iron—clad alliance that is defensive in nature. it is really the north koreans who continue to fire off ballistic missiles, conducting these tests that are in violation of international law that we are concerned about. but again, we don't seek provocation with them. this is something that was announced back earlier this year, and part of the washington declaration. and so, again, this isjust part

of our military alliance with south korea. sabrina, i also want to ask you about the us soldier who is currently being held in north korea. the defence department has tried to contact the north koreans, has had, as you've said, no success. to get more information on his whereabouts and how he's doing, there's been no response. are you worried about private king's well—being? unfortunately suni, that's correct. we have reached out at all levels of levels of government. this is a complete interagency effort from here at the department of defence to the state department and the nsc, working to pull all levels of government to bring private king home. at the end of the day, that is our main priority. but of course, it is concerning, but it's not surprising. we do not have a military relationship with the dprk. so our engagements are really through other countries such as sweden. we have the united nations command that also serves as our liaison with the dprk. but again, we do not know how private king is doing,

and that's our main concern. we know that his family must be under an incredible amount of stress, missing him, wanting him returned home. that's exactly what we want. and so we're going to keep working to bring him home safely and securely. but unfortunately, we have not heard from the north koreans on this issue. sabrina, i want to ask you about ukraine as well, because we've seen russia hit food exports facilities for fourth straight day, also practice navy drills in the black sea. and this comes, as we know, after russia allowed this international deal to create a safe passage for transporting grain to expire. would the department of defence support, for example, a nato's or a un mission to escort these ships? or would that raise the risk too much of a direct confrontation with russia? well, as you mentioned, we don't see conflict or confrontation with russia. 0ur priority right now is making sure we get ukraine, what it needs in defending itself and its sovereign territory, which comes in our security assistance packages. i don't want to get ahead or speculate of what could be done or what security assurances could be taken by nato's allies or other partner countries.

what i can say is that it's incredibly irresponsible that russia withdrew from this grain deal at the expense of millions of people around the world, africa and latin america and other countries that are food insecure. we've already seen the price of this wheat grain has has skyrocketed. wheat grain has skyrocketed. and so what we have urged publicly, and we'll do so privately as well, is to return to the grain deal. russia should return to the grain deal. this is, again, we're seeing vladimir putin take the side of continuing his unjust, unjustified, unprovoked war at the expense of really creating a food crisis around the world. and sabrina, one more question about the battlefield itself. we have seen the ukrainians say themselves that the counteroffensive that they've launched is not going as fast as they had desired. is the pentagon confident that ukraine can be successful in this counter—offensive? well, again, you've heard the ukrainians speak to their counter offensive operations. and while it is slow progress, there is still progress being made.

we know that these minefields in front of them right now that russia has laid are a real obstacle. but we are confident in the security assistance that notjust we, the united states, but partners and allies around the world that have provided this assistance to ukraine. we are confident in their combat power and them being able to be successful in this counteroffensive. sabrina, great to speak with you again. thank you. inside russia, a prominent pro—war blogger and critic of president vladimir putin was taken into custody on charges of inciting extremism. igor girkin, who also goes by the last name strelkov, is a russian nationalist and former military commander. he's publicly accused putin of not pursuing the war in ukraine harshly or effectively enough. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has more. so let me paint a little the picture of igor girkin. he is a pro—war nationalist, a former officer of the fsb, russia's domestic security service, who has become a prominent blogger.

he has been vocal in his criticism of how the russian authorities have been waging the war in ukraine. and, more recently, vocal in his criticism of the russian president. he recently described vladimir putin as a non—entity and a cowardly waste of space. so, earliertoday, knock on the door, law enforcement officers arrive, "come with us please", mr igor girkin was arrested on extremism charges. he was brought to court, he told thejudge he has heart problems and requested house arrest but in the end the judge remanded him in custody of police until the 18th of september. he faces up to five years in prison. a bit more about him. in 2014, igor girkin was also known as igor strelkov, was a key figure in the fighting that erupted in ukraine's donbas region. that conflict was basically orchestrated and engineered by russia. his role there was to organise and to command pro—russian militias.

last year, he was committed in abstentia by a court in hague last year, he was convicted in abstentia by a court in hague for his role in the shooting down of the malaysian airlines flight mh—i7 over eastern ukraine in 2014. since russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine last year, we have seen literally thousands of russians being detained for expression anti—war views. with igor girkin's arrest, it is signg that the kremlin it is sign that the kremlin is losing patience with some of its most vocal supporters of the war. people like igor girkin who are accusing the authorities of not doing enough to secure russia's victory on the battlefield. 0ur russia added to the steve rosenberg there. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. the tale of this tunnel has had several twists and turns. it's now been given the go—ahead and, if anyone's against it,

they have six weeks to say so. the idea is a two—mile stretch of road will be routed beneath the busy a303. it's almost 30 years since early plans for some form of tunnel were put on the table. fast forward to 2020 and planning permission was granted, but the following year this was overturned in the high court. it's after a campaign by some locals who are angry at the possible impact on the monument nearby. now the transport secretary and forest of dean mp, mark harper, has reversed that ruling. those in favour say the tunnel will boost the economy while reducing traffic. although the transport secretary accepts there will be harm, he says the benefits outweigh the concerns. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. canada's government has pledged tens of millions of dollars to house

asylum seekers in the country's largest city, toronto, after pictures emerged of recent arrivals sleeping in the streets. canada's prime minister, justin trudeau, is committed to welcoming a large number of new arrivals to canada, both as asylum seekers fleeing war and persecution, and highly—skilled immigrants. as part of the push for the latter, canada recently introduced a visa programme designed to be more attractive than the us — and it reached its cap of 10,000 applicants injust 48 hours. the new visa scheme has various advantages over the us h1—b visa — including the ability to work for any employer, rather than being limited to a sponsor — but analysts say the most attractive difference is the route it offers to permanent residency. immigrants under canada's new scheme can apply for permanent residence after just one year. in the us, it can take years to get the opportunity to apply for a green card. there are no caps on the number of immigrants who can be offered permanent residence in canada, and those applying don't need their employer to sponsor them in the us, meanwhile,

getting a green card requires employee sponsorship, and there are caps on the number offered each year. it's a move that's causing some consternation in the us. earlier i spoke with democratic congresswoman zoe lofgren from california, who sits on the us house immigration sub—committee.. congresswoman, thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. you sit on the immigration house subcommittee, and canada recently introduced an immigration initiative that would attract high skilled professionals from the us. why can't the us accommodate these immigrants? because republicans have blocked every effort to do that. you know, it wasjust a year ago i chaired the immigration subcommittee. we had a hearing on the brain drain to canada. and it's because of the structure of our laws. we made an effort last year, and we've made several efforts to make adjustments.

0ur law basically has not been changed significantly since 1990 and actually will work on the same framework from 1965. it doesn't currently meet the needs of the united states, but we've run into a roadblock with republicans. if there is this roadblock in a divided congress, what can be done to stop this brain drain, as you called it? 0h, america isjust going to lose. the canadian recruiters have been down here for a long time picking off the best talent to go to canada. the only thing that's different is now the canadian government has made an official pathway, which is new, but it's not new that talented immigrants who can't get their legal permanent residence have been lured off to canada. that does allow people to gain permanent residence in a very short period of time.

that's why the tech economy in toronto is currently growing faster than the tech economy in silicon valley. it's just american stupidity. so have you heard concern from business leaders on this front? co nsta ntly. not only business leaders, but academic leaders. we're not meeting the needs of our economy, and we're ceding our edge to canada and, frankly, other countries. do you think that there is something that the white house that the biden administration can do in this case if legislation is stalled in congress? no. it's statutory. you know, we have... i'll say this. the administration has made sure there are no delays in processing of visas, especially on the business side, because if they're not processed in the calendar year, then they're lost. so they've avoided that problem, but there's

nothing more they can do. i mean, we have a limitation on how many visas can go to qualified people per country without regard to the population of that country. and so there are huge backlogs from india and from china and especially here in silicon valley. we have a huge number of extremely talented professionals and scientists from india who are looking at delays of many, many decades to get their residence. and it, you know, it's really impossible for them and their sons and daughters to live in limbo for decades. so, congresswoman, just to jump in there, how many h—1b visas do you think the us should be issuing a year if you could change it? it's not the h—1b visas. you know, there are limitations and there are complaints. and the visa programme does need reform. the problem is in the permanent

residence visa structure, where we limit awarded visas, not by talent but by birth, it's really quite racist and pretty stupid for the united states. all right, congressman, i want to move to some news that we've gotten in today, that the former president's trial on mishandling classified information will begin in may of next year, and that would be in the middle of the campaign. are you concerned about how this could impact the election? well, you know, it's not up to me to set the trial date, but i thought that was a weird date to choose for the judge. the government had proposed a december date. i don't think the trial would go longer than a week. so, yeah, i don't think that's the smartest date. but it's her decision, not mine. we are also expecting an indictment in the special counsel's investigation into efforts to subvert the election result, 2020 election result, and also the january six attack. and you, of course, were a member of the house select committee

on the january sixth attack. if you look at the numbers, there is a poll from quinnipiac university that shows that more than 50% of americans thought that these events represented an attack on democracy, butjust under 50% believed that it was time to move on. and also, if you look at president trump's role in all of this, just under 50% of americans believe he committed a crime, but around the same amount thought that no crime was committed. so are you concerned about charges here, and a trial if a significant percentage of americans say it is time to move on? and we don't think that president trump did something criminal? prosecutors and the rule of law don't don't rely on public opinion polls. if the prosecutor believes that he has evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, then he needs to proceed no matter what the current public opinion is. if you ask people, do

you believe in the rule of law? i would say probably a vast majority of americans would say yes. and that's really what the question is. beyond public opinion, we've seen the speaker of the house commenting on the fact that the former president received a target letter from the special counsel saying that this is another effort to weaponize the government. what's your response to that? i think kevin knows that's absurd. during the attack, he told the president that it was his fault. and right after the attack, he went to the floor and said it was the president's responsibility. he knows better, but he is taking his lead, his political lead, from the former president, who called both him and other republican leaders and told them what to say after the indictment. i think it's really pretty shameful behaviour on the part of the speaker. congresswoman, thank you so much forjoining us today. you bet. the world has lost one of the most

iconic voices of the past century. tony bennett has died at the age of 96. with a career spanning seven decades ,the jazz crooner racked up 20 grammy awards, and won hearts around the globe for his take on classics like �*the way you look tonight, and �*i left my heart in san francisco.'. david sillito has more. # i left my heart in san francisco...#. cheering. tony bennett, suave, charming, elegant. # san francisco. ..#. in the world ofjazz and the great american song book, he was a master, the last of the greats from his generation. but making it look this effortless took years of hard work. we used to do seven to ten shows a day in the old days. if you had a hit recording, you would play the paramount theatre, let's say, and you would start at 10:00 in the morning and leave the theatre at 10.00 at night.

# where gigolo and gigolette can take a kiss without regret...#. but it turned the man born anthony dominick benedetto into a star, who was also an accomplished painter, a campaigner for civil rights. # oh, the good life, full of fun seems to bethe ideal...#. and for his fans and many friends it's the end of an era. among them the son of the bbc�*s benny green, who championed him in the uk. i rememberas a kid being sat at tables listening to tony and my father talking about music and art and culture and politics and everything in between, he was a magnificent flagwaver for equal rights and equality, and he fought racism. # you've got me flying high and wide...#. there was a moment when he wondered if he was going out of fashion, but then a new generation began to call. christina aguilera... amy winehouse...

# myself to you...#. lady gaga... # and good's bad today...#. and ijust said, i'd love to do an album with you someday. i'm making music with a legend. # when i come home to you...#. and so there he was in his 80s, playing to some of the biggest crowds of his career. there have been many tributes today, but perhaps we only need to mention one, from another singer, a certain frank sinatra, who once said, "for my money, tony bennett is the best singer in the business." tony bennett, who's died at the age of 96. that all from our team in washinton for now. i'm sumi somaskanda. stay with us here on bbc news

hello. it's going to be a wet one for many of us this weekend. in fact, it'll feel more like september, perhaps even early october, with the strength of the wind. really not a pleasant picture at all. the weather systems are lining up in the atlantic. here's the satellite picture. multiple weather fronts heading in our direction. and that cloud has already spread across the uk. it has been raining and the rain will get heavier in some areas as we go through the morning and into saturday afternoon. now, over the next two or three days, we will have rather a lot of rain in some parts of the country where you see the deeper blue colours here, the darker blues. that's the rainfall accumulating to around 50 millimetres of rain or more. so about a month's worth of rainfall in a couple of days. so the forecast for the morning shows that rain across many parts of the country. the north of scotland, however, will have had clear skies and in fact, really chilly in the sheltered

glens, maybe four or five degrees in rural spots. but for most of us, it's in the range of around 12—14. so a lot of cloud in the morning. the winds will also be strengthening in southwestern parts of the country to near gale force along some coasts. notice that the north of scotland escapes the rain. in fact, for ourfriends in lerwick we're anticipating mostly sunny skies, and indeed northern parts of mainland scotland also enjoying some sunshine. all the weather action will be way to the south. outbreaks of rain turning heavier in northern ireland, parts of wales and also the northwest of england. all of this does not bode well for the ashes. interruptions are likely, and it also is not idealfor golf either. the forecast then for sunday. the low pressure is still with us. it's in a process of moving away into the north sea. but this long weather front here, well, it's trying to pull away, but it's doing so at a glacial pace. so that does mean more rain to come,

especially across parts of northern england and wales. now, come monday and tuesday, that low is across scandinavia. the weather does tend to improve a little bit, but the air is generally coming in from the north atlantic, so that means that the temperatures will remain subdued in the week ahead. and, actually, the weather outlook is still looking fairly unsettled with all of these shower symbols here in the outlook, wherever you are. have a good weekend.

going to find in outer space? i'm going to find out from these two. one leading investor tells me how he's trying to